Wells OAM (’71 Barraclough)

Jill was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 1978, aged 24. In 2015, Jill was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) by the Australian Government for services to medical research and community organisations.

In 1997, Jill established the Cure MS Committee, whose primary aim was to raise funds to support research into the cause of MS. It was a unique and dynamic group renowned for its energy and significant successes not only in fundraising but also in increasing awareness of this disabling disease. Jill spoke at a large number of schools, service groups and other functions: she was the public face of the group. Through a series of social activities and educational programs, almost $3 million was raised for Monash University’s Stem Cell Laboratory.

The leader of this MS research program, Prof. Claude Bernard, generously acknowledged the value of these funds to the research activities; an acknowledgement repeated in a number of research papers emanating from the Monash laboratory. In 2010, Cure MS agreed to transfer its activities and role to Monash University. As recognition of the contributions, Monash agreed to name a post-doctoral fellowship the Cure MS Fellowship in Neurological

Diseases. This allows one postdoctoral fellow the opportunity to work with leading neuroscientists for two years and to be fully dedicated to this project. The activities of the Committee and its President, Jill Wells, were recognised in an award from the Government of Victoria.

Jill was a Member of UnitingCare Community Options (UCCO)’s Board of Governance of LifeAssist for many years. Additionally she was Chair of the Participant and Quality Subcommittee. She represented service users on the Board and has been a passionate advocate for the rights and conditions of people living with a disability.

Jill has taken an active role in providing a range of interventions for people with long-term disabilities. These have included:

» Contributions to the Peer Support Guide published by DHS

» Mentoring individuals with disabilities to undertake leadership programs

» Volunteer activities for Victorian government departments and agencies

» Long term contributions as a member of the Participant Committee at UnitingCare Community Options

» Disability Access Committee with the Boroondara Council.

94th Women’s Inter-School Golf Challenge Cup

On a windy but clear 21-degree March day at Yarra Yarra Golf Club, 29 schools participated in the 94th Women’s Inter-School Challenge Cup. Strathcona was represented very ably by Prue Moodie (Douglas ’69), Meg Fricke (’96), Louise Crellin (’71) and Heather Anderson (’71), with the Genazzano team winning the day. The event is a charity day and all money raised ($3,523) was donated to the McAuley Community Services for Women. This charity supports women and children who have faced family violence and homelessness to take control of their lives. Details about the competition can be found at womensinterschoolgolf.com

Births

Clare Walsh (Warren ’04) and partner, Blake, welcomed Sophie Clare Walsh in March 2023 at Royal Women’s Hospital. A sister for Alfie. Jessica Gumley (’06) and partner, Mitchell Jager, welcomed Florence Eva Jager in February 2023 and could not be happier.

Rebecca Algefski (’08) and partner, Tasos Barkolias, welcomed Georgina Barkolias, born in March 2022.

Samantha Bangs (’09) and partner, Ross Caton, welcomed Louie Oscar Caton, born in February at 7.44pm weighing 4.2kg and 55cm long. A baby brother for Ava.

Laura Davis (’09) and partner, Benjamin Lee, welcomed Frances (Frankie) Clare Davis-Lee in December 2022 weighing 7lbs 6ozs.

Rachel Lee (Lim ’09) and partner, Tim, welcomed Abbey Harper Lee in February 2023 at Cabrini Hospital in Malvern.

Georgie Van Strijp (Tobias ’13) and partner, Austin, welcomed their daughter, Grace Nina, in June 2022, weighing 3.4kg at Frankston Hospital.

Clockwise

Georgina Barkolias, Sophie Clare Walsh, Abbey Harper Lee, Frances (Frankie) Clare Davis-Lee, Louise Oscar Caton, Grace Nina Van Strijp and Florence Eve Jager.

Weddings

Laura Fernandez (’10) and Sam Weatheritt tied the knot with a tri-ceremony celebration over two days in April 2023, including a tea ceremony at Tay Creggan with close family and friends. The bridal party included alumnae Monique Fernandez (’13), Emma Watkinson (’10) and Sonja Studach (’10). Also attending were alumnae Lillian Downs (’10) and Emily Cross (’10), as well as DJ ‘Some Sheila’ Elisha Catlow (’13).

Briony Jane Vince (’93) married Shane Stevens in Bali, Indonesia in August 2022.

Emily Jenkins (’06) married Dr Jamie Cooke in February 2022 at Campbell Point House at Leopold on the Bellarine Peninsula. Shana Besanko (’06) was a bridesmaid.

Alexandra Clarke (’10) married James Jack in December 2022 at Flinders Yacht Club. Alex’s sisters, Maddy and Erica Clarke (’14) were bridesmaids.

Jessica Testro (’08) married Mitch Robinson in Oxford, UK in September 2022. Jess’ bridesmaids included her sister, Brittany Testro (’11) and Kim Peachy (’08).

Julia Hart (’10) married Xavier Walsh in October 2022 on a private farm in Daylesford. Julia had three Strathcona girls in her wedding party: Mia Adam, Ali Besanko and Lidia Vido (all ’10). Another seven alumnae were wedding guests.

Engagements

Stephanie Thom (’15) was engaged to Mitchell Donoghue, (younger brother of Laura Donoghue (’08) and Alana (’10) and son of Anne Donoghue (Chadwick ’81). The wedding will take place in March 2024, in the Yarra Valley. Demi Papigiotis (’08) was engaged to Luke Parker who proposed in Paris in front of the Eiffel Tower in July 2022. How romantic!