Born to Fly III

born to fly 3

St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School

born to fly

born to fly We talk a lot about the vital importance of role modelling; and how we believe this is especially important for young women and girls. I continue to delight in the stories I hear from current parents about how the older girls care for and nurture our younger students and they do this without being asked; it just seems to be in the blood of a St Aidan’s girl. I know our younger girls respect and admire the older students, whether it be the Year 6 leaders or our Year 12’s or any students in between. There is something about the connectedness of students in our School. The authentic relationships that are developed span the years and also the generations. As I attend and host many reunions what I am always pleased to see is how the girls of the 1990s are just as comfortable talking to the ladies from the ‘30s or ‘40s as they are to the students from 2010.

Born To Fly is another way in which we aim to role model for our current girls.

All the women featured in this and the previous editions, are role models for us all. They span the generations, careers and walks of life, and we thank them for their remarkable achievements and commitment and most of all for being a true St Aidan’s girl.

Karen Spiller MBA, MEdAdmin, BA, BEdSt, FACE, FAIM, FACEL, FAHRI, FAICD, FCEOI Fellow of Bond University

Principal - St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School

born to fly Editor Cassandra Erbs

Contributors Karen Spiller, Kim Kiepe, Sue Russell, Wendy Biggs, Helen Thomas, Laura Churchill and P4 Group as well as our many amazing Old Girls who provide their time and energy to participate in this edition of Born to Fly III.

Design Annie Fanning

Photography Athena Zelandonii with contributions also from those featured in Born to Fly III.

Printing Print Systems Australia

Disclaimer The Editors have gone to great efforts to ensure the accuracy of the information compiled in this publication but can accept no responsibilty for inaccuracies or omissions. Although the Editors support the right of expression by members of the student body and other writers, we wish to make it clear that the views expressed by individual authors are not necessarily those held by the Editors or St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School, Corinda.

born to fly

KATHRYN McMILLAN QC 1980 Barrister EMMA BETTS 2008 Cancer Awareness Campaigner CECILE WAKE 1987 Corporate Lawyer, Executive and Modern Pentathlete SHERRI HSU 2003 Chemical Engineer and Product Developer LUCY STRICKLAND 1990 Humanitarian Aid Worker JANO DAWES 1986 Business Owner SUSIE HOGAN 1993 Marketing Director ROSEMARY CAMERON 1974 Company Principal MIHIRI UDABAGE 1990 Freelance Writer and Communications Professional LAUREN JONES 2002 Business Owner HELEN GREGORY 1963 Historian and Author KATHERINE ANDERSON 1973 Analyst, ONA RHONDA DAVIDSON-IRWIN 1977 Flautist, Music Educator and Business Owner HAYLEY MORPHET 2000 Accountant

KATHRYN MCMILLANQC 1980

Barrister

KATHRYN MCMILLAN QC 1980

Barrister Barrister Kathryn McMillan’s high schooling at St Aidan’s saw the development of lifelong passions beyond her chosen career.

Kathryn says her then German teacher, Frau Prior, instilled a love of German literature and music, while the interest in law came later.

Headmistress Sister Julian also left a lasting impression.

“Sister Julian was extraordinary. She knew my name within two weeks of Year 8 starting and was a model of compassion, kindness and selflessness.”

The daughter of a solicitor, Kathryn says her father was always keen for his daughter to study law, but it was Science that initially attracted her as a career prospect.

“My father prevailed but I did manage to study Arts as well, including German. I did hope to work in publishing, however, given market forces (the need to obtain a job), law became a career. I started practice at the Bar some 26 years ago and thought I would see how things panned out.”

Things certainly have panned out, with Kathryn graduating from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Arts in 1984 and a Bachelor of Laws with honours in 1986, going on to complete her Master of Laws, specialising in BioEthics, at the Queensland University of Technology and graduating in 2003.

“There were few girls who studied law around my year,” she says.

“I don’t know of any Old Girls practicing at the bar even now, although hopefully that will change.”

Kathryn currently practices in the areas of administrative law, family law, civil/human rights and discrimination, and child protection law.

She accepts pro bono briefs regularly and is a member of several boards in the areas of ethics and human rights. Kathryn also maintains a practice in Coronial Inquests, appearing as Counsel Assisting to the Coroner and for several hospitals. She has appeared as Counsel in two Commissions of Inquiry, the Public Hospitals Inquiry in 2005 and as Senior Counsel Assisting the Child Protection Commission of Enquiry. Kathryn also believes strongly in interests outside her career to provide balance.

Kathryn a mother of two, has a daughter who has attended St Aidan’s since Prep and is currently in Year 10. While she has shared many stories of her days at St Aidan’s with her daughter, there are a few things Kathryn hasn’t shared… “The usual silly things, like conducting chemical experiments in the school pond, and putting shaving foam on the ceiling fans of the assembly hall.

These things I have never told my daughter!”

EMMA BETTS 2008

Cancer Awareness Campaigner

EMMA BETTS 2008

Cancer Awareness Campaigner Emma Betts’ life has been defined by a desire to help others. At 22, she has worked internationally in rehabilitation, and now, following a melanoma diagnosis in 2012, works to raise awareness of the importance of skin checks for young people.

As a student at St Aidan’s, Emma says she gained a solid grounding in concern for the welfare of others.

“St Aidan’s has a strong emphasis on community service,” she says.

“If I hadn’t been introduced to the concept of community service and volunteering, I probably wouldn’t have ended up with such a passion for working with people from developing countries, specifically with people with disabilities.

“Ms Burvill-Shaw really stands out among the amazing teachers at school. She shaped what I went on to study at university, as well as influenced the way in which I went about my time volunteering overseas.”

Following her schooling, Emma studied a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Peace and Conflicts Studies and International Relations, volunteering for Australia’s largest youth-run aid and development

organisation, Oaktree. Her work as Oaktree Qld State Director led to a move to East Timor where Emma worked with a rehabilitation centre for people with physical disabilities.

“This role was perfect as I could put my skills that I had gained at Oaktree to work, but it also allowed me to see whether I wanted to continue working in this area or go back to university and gain a clinical skill such as occupational therapy. I came back to Australia in 2013 because of my health and planned to study the following year but unfortunately my health would not allow this.”

Emma recently married husband Serge but says an uncertain future means her advice for current students is always to seize the day.

“Since my cancer diagnosis, life has been pretty uncertain – I have no idea how long I will be here and live every day knowing the cancer will win. However, I am extremely lucky that I have experienced so much of the world and haven’t wasted time to do what I love. So, my advice to students would be not to wait, go out and do what you love now.”

CECILE WAKE 1987 (Walter)

Corporate Lawyer, Executive and Modern Pentathlete

CECILE WAKE 1987 (Walter)

Corporate Lawyer, Executive and Modern Pentathlete Cecile Wake completed her Prep to Year 3 years at St Aidan’s and then returned for Senior School Years 8 to 12, graduating in 1987.

She still holds strong memories of her formative years at the School, of “being embraced into the fold by all of the older girls; of passionate teachers who brought their whole selves to the classroom and encouraged us to care about causes and issues beyond our class studies; of a culture of participation and contribution; of the Sisters and their ethos as a tangible thread that ran throughout everything at the School; of having the opportunity to participate in a huge and diverse range of activities; of finding my own voice and avenues for leadership”.

“Both my professional and athletic careers have been built on the attributes developed by St Aidan’s - the confidence to embrace new challenges,” says Cecile, who, following school, gained economics and law (with honours) degrees through the University of Queensland. A former corporate partner at leading international law firm Herbert Smith Freehills in London, Cecile is now Vice-President Commercial and a Director at QGC, which is developing the $20.4bn Queensland Curtis LNG Project. In addition to her QGC directorships, Cecile also serves on the board of UQ Sport and School Council at St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School.

Cecile represented Australia at seven World Championships and multiple World Cups in the sport of Modern Pentathlon between 1995 and 2001.

“I was an active participant in a wide range of sports at St Aidan’s and while I enjoyed some successes, I certainly wasn’t the standout athlete or had a pocket overflowing with sports awards. The pride and excitement that each of the girls experienced in being able to represent the School and an ethos that celebrated personal growth and development over simply winning for its own sake really shaped our values. Discovering the sport of Modern Pentathlon (with its five diverse elements of pistol shooting, fencing, swimming, show jumping and cross-country running) while at University quite literally changed my life – it opened up the world for me and gave me an inner strength and confidence to carve out my legal career in London. I honestly believe that spirit of curiosity and enthusiastic participation fostered at St Aidan’s was key to all of this.”

Remembering several teachers who shaped her view of the world, Cecile says St Aidan’s was truly an inspirational grounding for success.

“Frank McCarthy in particular, who took us for Maths II and Physics as well as being the Athletics coach, was a huge influence. In both roles, he encouraged us to own our outcomes, to have confidence in our ability and to embrace competition in its most positive sense, against ourselves, to have resilience and to push beyond our perceived limits. Those qualities underpin success in any field!”

SHERRI HSU 2003

Chemical Engineer and Product Developer

SHERRI HSU 2003

Chemical Engineer and Product Developer Sherri Hsu is a product developer for 3M Australia, based in Sydney.

Her work has a strong sustainable focus, dictated by a belief that we have a responsibility to improve our processes and minimise the harm we are causing our planet.

“It was the way she taught Maths, where within it, she taught us some life lessons (like if you thought you were going to be sick, then you will get sick). She worked hard, and acted by example,” says Sherri.

“At school, I was always interested in Science, Maths and Visual Arts (my creative outlet),” says Sherri.

“I guess she was always honest with us, and didn’t see us as kids, but young adults who were responsible for our own future. She saw the potential in me and pushed me to challenge myself one equation at a time. This then reflected the way I work and live today.”

“I was a little confused as to what I wanted to do and what career would suit my passion. Halfway through Year 12, I decided I wanted to create innovative products that could improve the lives of others around me and from there, I decided to become a chemical engineer, taking the path down the research route.”

Going on to obtain a Bachelor of Engineering through the University of Queensland, Sherri also completed a PhD in Chemical Engineering. Her PhD work involved creating a plastic film that breaks down with sun and oxygen exposure. The film was predominately designed for agricultural applications used to create more favorable conditions for crop growing.

In highlighting a key influencer of her time at St Aidan’s, Sherri says Maths teacher Mrs Gamble influenced her way of thinking in and out of the classroom during their time together from Years 9 to 12.

The opportunity to give anything a go has also been a strong factor in Sherri’s later life, she says.

“There were more opportunities to enter in competitions and to get involved to make an impact (at St Aidan’s),” she says.

“I think this mentality stayed with me to this day.”

“I always remembered a motivational speaker was talking to us about life after school and he said that only 2% of us sitting here today will end up with our dream jobs. I remember thinking to myself that I wanted to be in that 2%. No matter how true that was, what mattered was, St Aidan’s created the environment that anything is possible if we worked hard to chase our dreams.”

LUCY STRICKLAND 1990

Humanitarian Aid Worker

These kids are all Burundian refugees living in a settlement in Tanzania on the Burundian border and still trying to get legal settlement status in TZ.

LUCY STRICKLAND 1990

Humanitarian Aid Worker For the past 13 years, humanitarian aid worker Lucy Strickland has assisted organisations such as CARE International, Oxfam and UNHCR, providing aid and assistance to children and communities.

It’s a job that has taken her to more than 20 countries, through the conflict zones of South Sudan and Northern Iraq, and natural disaster recovery in Haiti after the earthquake and Ethiopia after drought.

She is fluent in Vietnamese and Khmer, and proficient in French, Spanish and Arabic.

Following her years at St Aidan’s, Lucy completed a BA in Languages and Applied Linguistics through the University of Queensland, a Masters in Humanitarian and Development Practice in the UK and Certifications in Humanitarian Security and in English as a Second Language.

“I help to set up safe and protective spaces in which children, who are often completely traumatised through the often horrific experiences they’ve had to endure, are fed, have access to play, learning, clean water, psychosocial support and a network of peers which often serves as an important lifeline of support for these children,” says Lucy.

“I do my work in complete collaboration with affected communities although it’s important to ensure these people have access to their basic needs - it’s as important to help facilitate their recovery as quickly as possible. This is not a 9-5 job - it’s all consuming and it’s hard to ever leave.”

Attending St Aidan’s from Years 7 to 12, Lucy attributes her confidence in her chosen career path to freedom to pursue her sense of self during school.

“St Aidan’s is a school that was never just about boosting its academic profile or its reputation in sport. It tried to encourage a much more holistic understanding and appreciation of its students, that went way beyond pockets on a blazer or trophies on a shelf.

“At school, I knew I loved language, had a thirst for travel, and to some degree was resisting convention. There’s nothing wrong with convention, however for me I was searching for something ‘other’.

I didn’t understand the world of INGOs, or humanitarianism at the time. It took a few years to understand what it meant, and what it looked like in practice.

“My advice to current students is to live fearlessly - because you can do it - but to also consider those around you, be kind, enable others, don’t squash them or assume they know nothing.”

JANO DAWES JANO DAWES 1986 (Robertson) 1986 (nee Robertson)

Business Owner Business owner

JANO DAWES 1986 (Robertson) Business Owner

Creativity has always been central to Jano Dawes’ direction in life.

While at St Aidan’s, she excelled in Home Economics, which led to work experience as a window dresser with Sportsgirl. The experience led Jano to her first job at the Queen Street Sportsgirl store, where she stayed for two and a half years before taking the leap into business for herself, a venture that has led to a colourful and successful career in visual merchandising, event theming and styling.

Although a creative personality, Jano’s leadership ability was also recognised at a young age. She still recalls the phone call asking her to be a School Vice-Captain in Year 11.

“I was always keen to hold a position of leadership in the School so to get this call was a dream come true for me – and something I am still very proud of,” she says.

“In my role as Vice-Captain I learnt the most valuable lesson of leadership. Through my years at St Aidan’s I learnt to believe in myself and that if you really want something and work hard to get it, it will come.”

Jano’s career in visual merchanding and event styling has developed to a point where her business The Prop House celebrates its 20th year in 2015. Together with new brand VM+ (established 2011) her company employs ten core staff and up to 40 casuals during Christmas and event season working with clients including the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, QPAC, Toyota, Treasury Casino, Westfield, Brisbane Marketing and News Corp to create spectacular events.

A recognised business leader, Jano has been awarded the American Express Rewards for Excellence Best Services Retailer twice, in 2006 and 2007, and was named Women in Business’ winner of the Professional Services award in 2009.

Among her best memories of St Aidan’s, Jano counts her small but close-knit group of friends, the teachers’ kindness, strength and guidance, and the leadership of the senior students above her.

“There was an underlying sense of love within the walls of the School,” she says.

“You always felt safe, loved and accepted.”

SUSIE HOGAN 1993 (Loxton)

Marketing Director

SUSIE HOGAN 1993 (Loxton)

Marketing Director Susie Hogan started her career in magazines on work experience during each holiday break, and was offered a job as marketing assistant of Murdoch Magazines a week after graduating with a Bachelor of Business in Marketing at the Queensland University of Technology.

From here she was promoted to Marketing Coordinator of Marie Claire, eventually being promoted to Events Manager. In 2001 she became the youngest Marketing Manager ever appointed at Murdoch Magazines joining Men’s Health magazine before returning in 2003 to Marie Claire as Marketing Manager, being made Marketing Director in 2007.

“A magazine career was always on the cards for the young Susie,” she says.

“My time spent modelling was a blessing in disguise,” she says.

“I got to live and travel overseas where I matured but mostly I was able to discover where my true passion was - being the fashion and magazine industry”.

Susie returned to Brisbane in 1999 and spent a year on a bridging course to upgrade before being accepted to study marketing at QUT. “My St Aidan’s schooling formed a foundation of confidence to pursue my dreams in a competitive industry,” says Susie.

“I was not one of the top students, but I remember a very positive, nurturing environment where I felt very supported and safe just to be who I was during those important formative years,” she says.

“I remember when I was about 15 years old I given a copy of Elle magazine and I thought it was the most glamorous magazine I had ever seen. I was hooked.”

“I think that is such an important aspect of school, particularly for girls, as the support and safety of the environment gave me confidence in myself and my ability, which was the foundation for me to later pursue my career dreams.

Following her schooling at St Aidan’s, Susie lived overseas and in Sydney where she spent some time modeling and developing more of an affinity for the magazine and fashion industry.

“The most important thing is to discover something you are passionate about and then dedicate yourself to pursuing a career which ignites this passion. The rest will fall into place.”

ROSEMARY CAMERON 1974

Company Principal

ROSEMARY CAMERON 1974

Company Principal Rosemary Cameron has had a diverse and fascinating career spanning positions in arts management, events management and, more recently, as CEO and Director of both the Brisbane and Melbourne Writers’ Festivals.

Literature, culture and language have been the overarching ties between some of Rosemary’s career highlights including stints in France, Norway and London, where she worked with the English National Opera and later the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden as well as Sydney with the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust and later Melbourne for the Writers’ Festival.

Currently holding the position of principal of the Fig Tree Cultural Tacticians in Melbourne, Rosemary also acts as judge on the Western Australian Premier’s Book Awards for Fiction and for Poetry, assesses grants for Arts QLD, directed a poetry festival in Newcastle and is treasurer of the Australian Crime Writers Association.

While Rosemary has gone on to achieve professional success in her chosen field, it is the legacy of friendship she holds dearest.

“I have the most marvellous group of friends from St Aidan’s.

There are about 12 of us who are very, very close,” she says.

“I’d put my life on the line for these women. They have looked after me through thick and thin and they have never faltered.

We all went to university and then travelled overseas together.

We went out with each other’s brothers, became godparents to each other’s children and now we are attending those children’s weddings. The first one of our group became a grandmother recently. And although we live all over the place we have regular get-togethers and our conversations continue without pause.

Those women are by far the most important legacy of my time at St Aidan’s.”

MIHIRI UDABAGE 1990

Freelance Writer and Communications Professional

MIHIRI UDABAGE 1990

Freelance Writer and Communications Professional Mihiri Udabage began her career with the goal of making a difference in the world. Graduating from the University of Sydney as an occupational therapist and working in mental health for five years, the St Aidan’s Old Girl went on to business administration before a career change, starting her own e-commerce business in Fair Trade, eco and global gifts.

The Fair Trade business knowledge led her to write on the topic for various publications, ultimately resulting in a career as a freelance writer, specialising in the not-for-profit sector.

“I am finally undertaking a Masters in Communication to catch up my qualifications with my work experience,” she says.

As well as ongoing roles with children’s social development site happychild.com.au and Westpac Bank, Mihiri volunteers her time as writer ambassador coordinator for Room to Read Australia, a foundation aimed at providing reading and literacy education to children in developing Asia and Africa.

She says her outlook on social responsibility has developed over time, but her time at St Aidan’s planted the seed of community-mindedness.

“St Aidan’s taught me I am capable of applying myself to any number of pursuits. I left St Aidan’s knowing I could form and

maintain solid relationships, that I loved to learn, and that community was important to me. These are the foundations of who I am today - not only in my career, but also as a wife, parent, daughter, sister and friend.

“More than a single memory, when I think about St Aidan’s I am flooded with memories - mostly of the girls just being themselves: Michelle Doake dazzling under the stage lights, Helen Gravendyk’s warm smile and infectious laughter, Sarah Johnson’s quick wit, Lucy Strickland’s cheeky sense of humour. I know we graduated St Aidan’s with knowledge and skills, but what I am left with most is an imprint of the spirit of all the girls.

“To the students of today I would say what I will share with my daughter who starts high school next year: knowledge is power, keep learning – about the world around you, about people around you, about yourself. Your emotional intelligence will serve you better than your test scores (but you still need to study). Common sense is not that common – make sure you practise that. That, and gratitude. Find time to include someone or something new in your life every day - it makes your life bigger. Be present for people.

Stay off Instagram - your voice matters most. You can do this!”

LAUREN JONES 2002

Business Owner

LAUREN JONES 2002

Business Owner

Hailing from Melbourne but spending Years 7 to 10 at St Aidan’s, Lauren Jones returned to Melbourne to finish her schooling but has since enjoyed a career in show business that has taken her to Hollywood and launched her own business venture.

Although she didn’t attend university, Lauren made her way professionally though hard work and opportunity, touring with Kylie Minogue before moving to London to work as an assistant for the band Girls Aloud then landing a job with director Hamish Hamilton.

Lauren then moved to LA after meeting blogger Perez Hilton with whom she worked as Director of Branded Content across his numerous websites.

In 2012, Lauren launched her own venture, Jones Social PR, a public relations and digital marketing agency headquartered in Los Angeles.

A believer in life’s possibilities, Lauren said it was the nurturing environment of St Aidan’s that gave her the confidence to pursue her dreams.

“I was not the math or science student,” she says.

“I absolutely loved the creative aspects of school and all the extra-curricular activities that St Aidan’s offered.

“I was always encouraged to try everything. I attribute St Aidan’s to giving me the confidence to just ‘have a go’ even when I knew that I wasn’t the best or when I doubted myself.

“I loved St Aidan’s. I just loved the School.”

Helen Gregory 1963 (Amies)

Historian and Author

HELEN GREGORY 1963 (Amies)

Historian and Author Helen enrolled in Medicine after graduating from St Aidan’s with the Old Girls Prize in 1963 and receiving a Commonwealth scholarship to attend university.

The History of Western Civilisation, a compulsory first year subject proved to be a twist of fate that saw the now historian set on a career path that has continued to challenge and fulfill her for almost 40 years.

Completing her Honours degree in History, Helen went on to work with the University of Queensland in research and teaching and was one of the first in Queensland to act as a private practice historian, before being appointed Adjunct Professor in 1998. With the Environmental Protection Agency she has worked to conserve Queensland’s Indigenous cultural heritage, and the heritage of later settlement, which led her to establish her current consultancy business, Cultural Heritage Strategies. Helen has published several commissioned Queensland histories, and curated exhibitions such as the popular Queensland Museum exhibition, Women of the West.

Helen has published several books including the best seller The Brisbane River Story (1996), and has received many accolades for her work, notably the National Trust of Queensland Silver Award in 2012 for her work on the conservation of Nindooinbah Homestead in Beaudesert.

Although Helen’s path was different from the one she envisaged at school, she believes St Aidan’s prepared her well for her future.

“We learnt the paramount value of integrity in all things, that our own efforts are what matters most and to understand people with disabilities. My friends have often commented that this background has meant that we have never been uncomfortable around people of difference. Quite recently, I wrote histories of the Endeavour Foundation and Montrose Access.”

Helen was a second-generation Old Girl after her mother, who was Bronte House Captain in 1934. Her three sons and her brother are also Old Boys, and she herself still remembers many of her teachers by name and with fondness, as well as the brown gloves she would wear to and from school.

DR KATHERINE (KAY) ANDERSON 1973

Analyst, ONA

DR KATHERINE (KAY) ANDERSON 1973

Analyst, ONA Katherine’s path has taken her to work, variously as a secretary and a diplomat, in England, New Zealand, Vietnam, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Poland, Sweden, the Federated States of Micronesia and, of course, Australia.

She has been tear-gassed in Noumea, has seen a sea of rifles aimed at her from what had seemed to be empty hills on the China-Vietnam border, has climbed through the first hole made in the Berlin Wall, and has stood in Wenceslas Square in Prague during the Velvet Revolution.

But, she says, she will never forget the stability provided by her three years at St Aidan’s. When she started Year 8 in 1969, Katherine had already attended schools in Tasmania, Queensland and Papua New Guinea. She says it was the longest period she had spent at any school, and St Aidan’s was a haven offering nurture and support.

“I loved that the school had a place in history and that it had played such a big role in educating women,” she says. “I particularly adored the Sisters and their attitude.”

After a career as a secretary in the private sector both in Australia and overseas, Katherine started work with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) in 1983 as a Secretary. She then served on four

long-term postings: Hanoi, Nairobi, Noumea and Warsaw; the latter two as Secretary to the Head of Mission. She also undertook a range of short-term missions.

As a reflection of how the Sisters nurtured and encouraged the girls at St Aidan’s, Katherine’s career sights were aimed higher. Juggling overseas postings, she completed her Higher School Certificate by correspondence and at 35 took unpaid leave and studied for a degree. In 1993 Katherine graduated with First Class Honours in Politics and Women’s Studies from Griffith University. She returned to DFAT in 1994 and six months later was posted to the Federated States of Micronesia as Third Secretary.

After resigning from DFAT, Katherine took up a PhD scholarship in International Relations at the Australian National University in Canberra in 1999. This time she juggled a marriage and a baby.

From 2003, she worked for two years as a Research Analyst at the Australian Institute of Criminology and had her doctorate conferred in 2004.

Since 2005, Katherine has been an analyst, in a job she loves, at the Office of National Assessments (ONA) in the Australian Government.

RHONDA DAVIDSON-IRWIN 1977 (Davidson)

Flautist, Music Educator and Business Owner

RHONDA DAVIDSON-IRWIN 1977

Flautist, Music Educator and Business Owner A solid grounding in musical education gave Rhonda Davidson-Irwin the start she needed for a career that has seen her perform, teach and share her love of music across the world.

“I never felt that being a girl or a woman would stop me from doing anything in my career or my personal life and this was constantly reinforced at St Aidan’s at a time when sexual prejudice was quite rife,” says Rhonda, whose daughter Paris is now in Year 10 at St Aidan’s.

Following St Aidan’s, Rhonda graduated from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music majoring in flute, piano and education, going on to complete a Masters with distinction at the University of Western Australia. She is also about to embark on a Doctorate through publication.

A varied career path has seen this passionate musician positioned as a leader in music education and early childhood television in Australia. She has been a musical director, composer, early childhood consultant, live musician and producer for various television networks, writing more than 2,000 songs for children’s television, seeing her music televised five days a week for the past 15 years.

Owner of the Viva La Musica company, Rhonda trains P&O Cruise staff on entertaining children; provides music for large scale events such as the Great Australian Outback Spectacular; and also has an illustrious performance career including playing for the Queen of England, Bill Clinton, Muhammad Ali and a variety of celebrities.

Rhonda has released 50 CDs, including an album that “went gold.”

“At St Aidan’s I had an amazing experience with a teacher who really went out of her way to assist me in my career,” she says.

“Her name was Sister Anne and she was very musical. She knew that I was a very musical student and at that stage when I entered in Year 7 at the School, Music could not be taken as a board subject. She went to university to increase her qualifications so that she would be able to teach Music as a board subject in Years 10 and 11. This was an extraordinary act of kindness and dedication and I became one of the first students to take Music as a subject at St Aidan’s. You would be hard pressed to find another school where a teacher went to that level for her students.”

HAYLEY MORPHET 2000

Accountant

HAYLEY MORPHET 2000

Accountant She’s travelled the world and currently makes her home in London working as a consultant with global professional services firm PwC. The middle of three sisters who all attended St Aidan’s from Years 1 to 12, Hayley Morphet could never have imagined her work would take her to New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, the UAE, Kuwait, USA, UK, Belgium, Poland and Czech Republic.

“I knew I enjoyed music and maths but didn’t know where that would lead me in terms of a career,” says Hayley.

“I’ve ended up finding a niche working in aviation consulting and have travelled all over the world with my job.”

“After completing two degrees (a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Statistics and Bachelor of Commerce in Finance, both from the University of Queensland), I went on to seek.com.au and typed in “graduate, maths, finance” and a job in management consulting with Booz Allen Hamilton came up and sounded like a very interesting opportunity. Accepting the job is something I have no regrets about.”

Hayley says her St Aidan’s schooling provided her with the confidence to do whatever she wanted in life.

The travel bug bit Hayley during a two-month student exchange to France at the end of Year 10.

“I had dreamed of returning there to study for a year after I finished school, so when the opportunity arose part-way through my degree to spend a year in Paris, I didn’t hesitate.”

“As well as providing a sound academic grounding, St Aidan’s gave me the opportunity to participate in such a wide range of activities (sport, the arts, debating) in an unintimidating environment, which has given me the confidence to try anything.”

born to fly Previous editions of Born to Fly

Born to Fly 1

Born to Fly 2 For a copy of earlier editions of Born to Fly contact St Aidan’s Alumni Office - 3373 5961

per volur sunata

St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School

confidence and success

11 Ruthven Street Corinda Qld 4075 T: 61 7 3373 5999 F: 61 7 3379 9432 E: school@staidans.qld.edu.au www.staidans.qld.edu.au CRICOS Provider Number 01194K

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