Merici Final for website

OCTOBER 2016

PAGE 1



ofTABLE CONTENTS 27 FACES OF THE ORYEM FAMILY
28 NEW FITNESS FACILITY
2 FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Change in Governance SPACE + PLACE: FUTURE VISION
IMPLEMENTATION
3 MEET OUR COLLEGE CAPTAINS 29-30 MADAME BROWN’S ADVENTURES
4 CONNECTING WITH OUR LEADERS 31 EMILY MARTIN- FACE OF THE GLOBE
5 FAREWELLING MR DAVID RAWSON 32 LILLEAH’S SHOW SUCCESS
6 WHAT’S HAPPENING AROUND 33 CARE FOR CAMBODIA
34 CONNECTING WITH OUR
THE COLLEGE COLLEGE COMMUNITY
7 WHAT’S HAPPENING IN SPORTS
8 CAMPS & RETREATS Mrs Maasa Mulhare
9 WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE ARTS Maggie Murphy
10 JUNIOR & SENIOR PLAYS 35-44 CONNECTING WITH PAST STUDENTS
11 DANCE TOUR SUCCESS Emma Seidel
12 NAIDOC WEEK CELEBRATIONS Sarah Ryan & Anna McMahon
13 OPEN DAY Nicki Prentice & Theresa Conrick
14 SCIENCE & ENGINEERING Amy Hanna
15-16 ANZAC CELEBRATIONS Kirstie Stevens
17 THE SCHOOL OF ST JUDE Emily Harper
18 EXCHANGE TO NEW YORK Paralympic Champions
19 SANTA TERESA IMMERSION Heidi Dredge
20 FASHION SUCCESS FOR ASHLEY Erin Canavan
21 ACTIVE LIVING DAY Professor Tess Cramond
Jeannie Carr
FUNDRAISING FOR ROSIES 44 WELCOME & FAREWELLS
22 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 45-46 THE EVOLUTION OF DESENZANO
23 CONNECTING WITH OUR BOARDERS 47-48 CELEBRATING 85 YEARS
24 CONNECTING WITH OUR Past College Principals
48 WE REMEMBER
GAP STUDENTS
25 MOTHER’S DAY & FATHER’S DAY 2016 BOARD MEMBERS
26 GRANDPARENTS’ DAY
Mr Niall Coburn (Chair)
INTERACT CLUB ACTIVITIES Mr Michael Keogh
Sr Helen Dyson
ABOVE: Our 2016 Theme, Faces of Angela. Mr Peter Cavanagh
Sr Sue Flood
COVER: From the 1930s Archives to now, Mr Gary Bruggemann
celebrating 85 Years of St Ursula’s College. Ms Cathy Jensen
Ms Joan Conway
Mrs Angela Travers

Can’t wait until the next edition?
Like our Facebook page
for all the latest news

Scan Here!

PAGE 1

from the

P R I N C I PA L

An announcement was made during Term 3 which will contracts remain with the
see the governance of St Ursula’s College Toowoomba Company of St Ursula’s
transferred from the Ursuline Sisters to the Diocese College. Mrs Ann Marie
of Toowoomba. Pawsey will continue as
College Principal. The Board
The College was founded in 1931 by the Ursuline of Directors will continue to
Sisters and has offered education to young women from be responsible for the good
Queensland, Northern NSW and many other regions governance of the College.
since then. A major difference is that
the Board will now report
In announcing the change, the Provincial of the Australian to and be responsible to
Ursulines, Sr. Ruth Durick osu recalled some of the steps the Bishop of Toowoomba
which have been taken to ensure a sustainable future for rather than the Ursuline
the College. Provincial. Mr Niall Coburn will continue as the Chair of the
Board. There will be little or no change in the daily life of
In 2006, the College was incorporated and became a the College.
company under the Commonwealth Corporations Act in
order to engage the experience and expertise of many lay On behalf of the Australian Ursulines, Sr. Ruth expressed
people who have worked in partnership since then with the confidence that St Ursula’s College will continue to offer a
Ursuline Sisters for the good governance of the College. rich Catholic education experience for the young women
of South-East Queensland and beyond, that the spirit of
Sr. Ruth further stated that “it is no longer possible for the Serviam (I will serve) will remain alive and active in the
Ursulines to maintain our role of responsibility as Members community and that a wondrous future will unfold.
(owners) of the Company of St Ursula’s College. We wish
to ensure a sustainable future for the College and so we Joint Media Release issued by Sr Ruth Durick osu &
are transferring the Membership of the Company to the The Diocese of Toowoomba.
Diocese of Toowoomba”.

Under this transfer, St Ursula’s College will continue to be a
stand-alone Catholic College in the Ursuline tradition. The
current contracts for all employees will continue, as those

Save the Date
ANGELA MERICI’S FEAST DAY
JANUARY 27TH, 2017

A Liturgy in which we celebrate and give thanks for 85 years
of Ursuline Governance at St Ursula’s College.

Formal Invitation to Follow

Sr Ruth Durick osu gifting Bishop
Robert McGuckin, Bishop of
Toowoomba, with an icon of Saint
Angela Merici, Foundress of the
Ursuline Order.

College Leadership Team (from
left) Mrs Ann Marie Pawsey, Mrs Julie
Payne, Ms Jennifer Langton, Mrs
Debbie Ryan and Mrs Kay Gleeson.

PAGE 2

CONNECTING WITH
OUR COLLEGE CAPTAIN ...

Moly Wagner

College Captaincy at St Ursula’s College has been one of a weekly boarder
my most amazing experiences to date. Being appointed here at St Ursula’s
at the end of last year has helped me not only grow as to keep up with the
a person, but evolve my leadership skills to a whole new demanding role of
level. This great privilege to be a student leader has opened both student and
up many opportunities, one that I am incredibly lucky to leader. It was being
be given. I take pride in helping to foster and nurture the a part of this tight
Ursuline culture within our College community. knit community,
that has opened
One of my favourite life mottos that I have reflected upon my eyes to a whole
into my captaincy is to make the most of every opportunity new group of girls,
given, and if its not presented then search for it. The first one of which I love being a part. From spending a term
semester of 2016 has represented exactly this for my learning about our boarding community, I aim to initiate a
personal focus for the College; however, it most certainly closer day girl - boarder relationship within each year level
wouldn’t have been as successful without the wonderful for Semester 2. With less than two months left of my final
SRC team. Guiding such a creative and intuitive group of year, I hope to help each and every student by empowering
young leading women has benefited the College in offering them with the lifeskills to make high school one of the
numerous dividing perspectives. Our collaboration has seen most rewarding life journeys. It’s a great pleasure to be
students across all ages and areas benefit from our major a part of such a unique College, one that takes pride in
campaign – Sense of Sisterhood. Hand in hand with my our stripey dress. From the same iconic quote with which
personal American exchange to our sister school in New I introduced the Year 7 cohort and ended our last Year 12
Rochelle, New York, the SRC and myself have strived to Semester 1 Year Level, “The pen of your journey is in your
create an environment that respects each other and makes hands, here is the chance to write your story. As Dr Seuss
the most of our global connections. Whilst this year has once said ‘Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So
so far been an incredible honour, I have recently become get on your way!’.”

CONNECTING WITH

Emma Forsyth I know how important it is to be in a place where it is
comfortable, to have support networks for them when they
Ever since starting at the College, both day and need it and also to enjoy themselves. As Captain, I aspire to
boarding Year 12 students who ran for leadership be that person who can make their years here the best they
positions inspired me to become the best possible can have and after I graduate at the end of this year, I hope
leader I could be. In 2015 I was fortunate enough to to continue to inspire the girls to become the leaders of our
be elected as the 2016 St Ursula’s College Boarding boarding community, Captain or not.
Captain, a privilege I had dreamed of since Year 8. I live
in a small country town south west of Longreach with
a population of almost 90. The school there was where I
did most of my growing up and it means so much to me
that being a past student, I am able to inspire the younger
students as well as the students here at the College. In
2016 I endeavour to make boarding here at the College
the best it can be and strive for the girls to have someone
who they can talk to if they feel they can’t talk to teachers
or supervisors. After the past four and a half years here,

PAGE 53

Connecting with

COLLEGE LEADERS...

SRC Committee
(back from left) Ruby Crabtree-Spencer, Olivia Larsen,
Ella Cooper, Molly Wagner, Hannah Kinder,
Sarah Quinlan, Georgia Henderson.
(front from left) Emma Forsyth, Emma Goding,
Nina Gannon, Selina Herbert, Annabelle Burgess,
Georgia Verdon and Caitlin Doherty.

Year 7 SRC
Representatives
Laura Charles and
Sophie Coleman

House Leaders & Captains

(back from left) Kate Montafia, Izabella Lloyd-Jones, Grace Saxton, Madalyn McCusker, Laura McCosker, Rusty Free

(front from left) Madeleine Tonkin, Breanna Neidler, Britney White, Abbey Schefe, Jordynn Herrmann, Natalie Sleba, Emma
Turrell Absent: Shae-Lee Campbell, Alivia Boyce

INSPIRATION & LEADERSHIP

AT THE...

Captains’ Council

On the 26th April, 75 Year 12 leaders from 14 Orange Sky has now grown to nine services across Australia
schools across Toowoomba and the region met in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney, Sunshine
at St Ursula’s College to share ideas, network and Coast, Canberra, Perth, Adelaide, South East Melbourne
enjoy the company of others. Our facilitator was and now does over 5.8 tonnes of laundry every week.
Angela Mason (College Captain 2012) who took However most importantly, having over 1,200 hours of
the students through a series of questions that positive and genuine conversations every week. They were
highlighted how the leadership in their school inspirational young men who challenged the young leaders
works, how they involve students, the problems they to think about how they will make a difference in
encounter and what they would like to leave as our world.
a legacy.
It was a wonderful day and it was lovely to see such fine
We had Jo Capp (local author of Four Hot Chips) come and young people talking, laughing and being engaged.
talk about her journey with her son’s cancer and on the
skills associated with being a successful leader. We were
very lucky to be able to welcome the Young Australians
of the Year and inspirational duo, Nic Marchesi and Lucas
Patchett of Orange Sky Laundry to talk about their work.

Orange Sky Laundry is the world’s first free mobile laundry
service for the homeless. A crazy idea in 2014 to put two
washing machines and two dryers in a van and wash and
dry clothes for free. Starting in the streets of Brisbane,

PAGE 4

Mrs Karen Fox, David, Mrs Cathy
Aitchison and Mrs Ann Marie Pawsey.

as it ought to be and to enact your vision of Service and
Justice for others. I will miss you all dearly.

I talked before about life on the cusp: let me leave you,
then, with the words of Elizabeth Alexander:

FAREWELLING IN TODAY’S SHARP SPARKLE,
THIS WINTER AIR.
Mr David Rawson
ANYTHING CAN BE MADE,
In her poem for Barack Obama’s inauguration as president, ANY SENTENCE BEGUN.
U.S. Poet Laureate, Elizabeth Alexander, reminds us that
life is to be lived on the cusp. In other words, there is a ON THE BRINK, ON THE BRIM,
world full of possibility when we stand on the precipice O N T H E C U SP,
and look ahead, when we are brave enough to take a
leap of faith and wait for the big surprises that will PRAISE SONG FOR WALKING
inevitably follow. F O R WA R D I N T H AT LIG H T.

Truth be told, part of me feels a bit like Bilbo Baggins, Merci beaucoup et adieu. Thank-you.
heading off on an adventure without being entirely sure
what awaits me, but that’s half the fun. Perhaps not many Farewel to Mr Rawson
of you know that this adventure of mine brought with it
some sizeable risks. There was the very real possibility that I FROM HIS PC GROUP
might head off to America on this pipedream and not win a
single cent of financial support. But I applied anyway. Why? Whether it is your advanced skills in cooking, ability
Because nothing in life worth having comes easily. I can’t to keep us informed of the most important school
very well tell you to follow your dreams if I’m not pursuing notifications or your benign and beneficent attributes, you
my own. Two generous, international fellowships later, I certainly make an unsurpassed PC teacher Mr Rawson.
know now that I need only back myself. Girls, trust in your We are not sure if we can think of anyone else who has
abilities and work tirelessly to chase down the dreams that the ability to organise and run a PC, make it enjoyable for
matter to you. us, cook amazing date loaf with the most divine caramel
sauce, and also have such strong enthusiasm to see all of
Gentle the rule of our well loved school. us flourish.

To Mrs Pawsey and the College Leadership Team, thank you We are going to miss you so very much, but we all know
for seeing something in me all those years ago that I’m not that it is by far for the best. You are going to excel over
sure I saw in myself. Thank you for the opportunity to grow at Harvard and we hope that they are quick to learn how
as a teacher and human being. much of an amazing Aussie you are.

To staff and friends, thank you for your support and for Ever since you laid foot in the College, you have excelled
modelling what it means to be passionate teachers who in teaching and nurturing all of these wonderful girls. You
respect your students and love your craft. continue to instil the Ursie spirit into each and every one
of us from your own display of Serviam, which encourages
To you, the students. To all those I’ve worked with over the us to dive head first into College life and service. Ensure
years as a debating coach, a tour chaperone, a Fiducian, a you continue to spread this even after your time here, as
Year 11 year level teacher, an SRC mentor, a QCS master- you have the ability to influence great change in
classer, a choral repertoire translator, a teacher, I thank the world.
you all for your energy and your love of learning. Heartfelt
thanks for inspiring me to take this plunge and for being so Congratulations on being the recipient of the Fulbright
supportive of my decision to do so. To all of you who have Scholarship, it was very well deserved and we know it will
signed a card in recent days, or organised a celebration, or allow you to flourish to your full potential.
passed on your well wishes, it means the world to know
that I have your support. From all fourteen of us in the DIR PC family, thank you
from the bottom of our hearts, Mr Rawson. It has been a
In particular, to my PC group and my Year 12 French class- pleasure having you as our PC teacher for these three and
You are powerful beyond measure. Continue to push a half years and I hope this won’t be your last time at
boundaries, to read widely, to engage with the world and St Ursula’s College.
its people; be willing to be vulnerable, to perceive the world
- by Eliza Goodchild (Year 12)

PAGE 5

A glimpse of what’s happening

NATIONAL

THAILAND VISITORS In March, the College
acknowledged the
The 2015 Seniors’ gift to the College was a series of clocks National Day of Action
with the time of Ursuline Schools with whom they had Against Bullying.
made connections during their time at St Ursula’s. Our As well as activities
Term 3 visitors from Mater Dei Bangkok found the gift in Pastoral Care, our
particularly special! Office staff honoured the day as well, bringing the message
of ‘Say No To Bullying’ to everyone.

SUCCESS IN

MATHEMATICS

VISITORSSOUTH AFRICAN Congratulations to Elizabeth
Yevdokimov in Year 7 who
The College hosted eleven students and two staff members obtained a Distinction in the
from the Brescia House School in South Africa in Term 3. Computer and Algorithmic
The girls had a wonderful time living with their host families Thinking competition conducted
and experiencing life in Australia. They particularly enjoyed by the Australian Mathematics
a visit to Council Chambers and a personal tour of the Trust. Elizabeth was also one of
Mayor’s Office from Councillor Geoff McDonald. two winners in the Student’s
Problem section of the Queensland Association of
LIONS YOUTH PUBLic speaking Mathematics Teachers most recent journal.
OF THE YEAR competition
RACQ DOCUDRAMA
for schools
Our Year 12 students witnessed a graphic dramatisation of
a fatal car crash as part of RACQ’s Docudrama Program.

The girls experienced a car accident from the moment
of impact and the arrival of police, through to the arrival
of undertakers. The dramatic scene was followed by a
debriefing session with the program organisers which
explored real world strategies for combating the ‘Fatal Five’
road safety issues; Drink and Drug Driving, Fatigue, Not
Wearing a Seatbelt, Speeding and Distraction.

Emily Martin and Breanna
Neidler were the College
representatives at the annual
Lions Youth of the Year Public
Speaking competition.
We congratulate them on
their efforts.

PAGE 6

A glimpse of what’s happening
IN THE SPORTS DEPARTMENT

INTERNATIONAL GRAND FINAL
WIN FOR
championshipsCHEER & DANCE

SOCCER
TEAM

View the Congratulations Ursie Congratulations to our team for a great win in the Fillies
video Bears who received third Soccer Grand Final. Final score was 4-2 in some tough
here! place in their division at the weather conditions with great skills and sporting spirit
International Cheer & Dance being displayed! Well done to all players and to Kayla
Championships in Term 3. Jackson for being named Player of the Match. Thank you to
all parents, coaches, managers and team supporters.
Many thanks to their
wonderful Coach Ms Lyndel WORLD RECORD
and Managers, Mrs Cathy Peile
and Mrs Maria Gibson. HOLDING

Thank you to all the parents Orienteering
who supported the team and
to our girls who conducted In May this year, on World
themselves so well throughout Orienteering Day, thirteen of
the competition. our students became world
record holders. They were
AUSTRALIAN TEAM part of 252,927 participants
SELECTION FOR in 81 countries to perform
an orienteering course. 119
Darcy Habgood, in Year 11, has been named as part Darling Downs locals, including
of Australia’s Junior Matchplay Golf Squad after her our students, completed an
performance at the School Sport National Championships. urban course around Queen’s Park.

Darcy led her Queensland team to victory as Captain The “thought sport” and “cunning running” is how
and number one player in South Australia and will now orienteering can be described. It combines the technical
assume the role of the number two player in the National skills of map reading and navigating, with physical fitness to
matchplay team. successfully locate specific points on the map in the fastest
time possible. All students at St Ursula’s learn orienteering
Darcy is currently ranked as the 28th best female golfer skills in Year 7 in PE. Senior PE students learn advanced
in the country after her efforts in Adelaide saw her lead skills and tactics as part of their course. As a sport, St
Queensland to victory against the favourites, Victoria. Ursula’s has dominated the Darling Downs girls team over
recent years, and has also been named Champion school
Congratulations Darcy on a fine result! three times out of the past four years. We are also the
current holders of the Queensland Interschool Sprint trophy.

PAGE 79

Y E AR 7 C AHMeaPds

Burleigh

YEAR 9 RETREAT

Emu Guly

YEAR 12 RETREAT

PAGE 8

A glimpse of what’s happening

IN THE ARTS DEPARTMENT

CHORAL yoUth production WORKSHOPS WITH
SOCIETY’S
This term, we were
“The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you very fortunate to have
cease forever to be able to do it.” the members of the
Australian String Quartet
- J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan visit the College to
conduct a workshop with our string ensemble students.
We would like to say thank you to the members of the
quartet - Sharon, Francesca and Stephen- for providing the
students with a valuable and enjoyable learning experience.
Thank you also to Simply for Strings and Shane Tooley from
Downlands College for their contribution in organising
the workshop.

Over the school holidays a number of our students
performed in the Choral Society’s Youth Production of
Peter Pan.

CREATIVE

EXHIBITIONGENERATIONS

Ashleigh Schofield, Tatjana Lynch, Emily Martin and Ruby AMAZING ‘Masked’ by Mackenzie Roberton
Weeks represented the College at the Darling Downs/
South West Queensland Regional exhibition at the PHOTOGRAPHY RESULTS
Toowoomba Regional Gallery. Their work is wonderful and
a real credit to the College. There were 550 entries from Congratulations to the following students on their success
across the State for the Creative Generation Excellence in the Toowoomba Show Photography competition:
Awards in Visual Art. There were 50 works that were short
listed/commended and 33 that achieved an Greta Keene - First in Youth and Youth Champion
Excellence Award.
Mackenzie Roberton - Third in Open section and Second
All four girls attended the Official Opening, along with their in Youth section
parents, to receive their certificates. Ruby Weeks (above)
received a commendation for her oil painting, Hannah Golightly - Highly Commended in Youth section
The Gathering, which was one of the 50 short listed works
across Queensland. Kristy Bonwick - Third and Highly Commended in
Youth section

Georgia Biggar - Highly Commended in Youth section

PPAAGGEE191

SENIOR PLAY...

Stories in the Dark

A terrified 12-year-old boy finds himself separated from his family in the
unfamiliar streets of a war torn city. He takes refuge in a bombed-out house
and in the total blackness his bravado crumbles into tears.
Into his life steps Anna – older, street smart and scornful of his crying. As a
way of shutting the boy up, she starts to tell him a story that she vaguely
remembers from her own childhood. And so begins a journey into the
shifting, shimmering world of ogres, princes, singing bones, foolish lads and
wolf-mothers.
Stories in the Dark explores the power of storytelling, mingling the magic and
earthy wisdom of folk tales with the hard-edged story of violence, conflict
and the struggle to survive.

PinocchioJUNIOR PLAY...
We have all come to know and love the Disney version of Pinocchio created in 1940 but
the story is a much older one. In the late 1800s, Italian, Carlo Collodi, wrote the tale of
the naughty wooden boy who causes trouble from the moment he is created by the kindly
Geppetto. Since then, Pinocchio has become one of the most
translated books, making it a universal story – and a great choice for
this year’s Junior Play.
With a cast of almost fifty students, this was a massive undertaking
for the Drama Captains, Hannah Lightfoot, Emma Goding and
Georgia Flower who undertook auditions, rehearsals, direction and
design (including how to achieve a growing nose!). Assisted by a
trusty team of Year 11 and 12s, the directors produced a funny
and touching performance that entertained the large crowd who
gathered in The Salo Centre. Accolades must also go to the entire
cast for its unflagging enthusiasm and commitment over twelve
weeks of rehearsal. In particular, Maisie Crosdale, as Pinocchio,
was outstanding. Maisie was on stage for the entire duration of
the play and wore the mask/nose contraption throughout.
Quite a feat!
The girls’ efforts raised
almost $600 which they
donated to the Lighthouse Project.

PAGE 120

INCREDIBLE Dance Tour Success

From Wednesday, 27th July – Tuesday, 2nd August, the Saturday was the final day of intensive workshops as the
Senior Dance Troupe, comprising of twelve girls from troupe returned to Sydney Dance Company to participate in
Year 10-12 (Alivia Boyce, Emma Goding, Isabella Petroff, a variety of classes including contemporary, lyrical, theatre
Eden Barker, Olivia Larsen, Tyla Mahony, Sarah McCarthy, jazz, JFH (jazz, funk, hip-hop) and hip-hop. Prior to arriving
Laura McCosker, Taylor Seymour, Britney White, Ella at Sydney Dance Company, the troupe spent the morning
Coleborn and Ruby Crabtree-Spencer), travelled to Sydney on the Sydney Opera House steps and took the opportunity
with Mrs. Emily Whiting and Miss Lydia Pickard to compete to listen to the accompaniment to the Eisteddfod piece.
at the Sydney Eisteddfod and experience various aspects As this location is in the heart of the Sydney tourism
of Sydney’s Dance and Arts culture. Day one saw the team hustle and bustle, reflecting on the intent behind Can We
excitedly depart from Wellcamp airport and arrive in Sydney Autocorrect Humanity? was a powerful experience and
at 7:30am ready for a rewarding and busy week ahead. truly a reality check.
First item on the agenda was Singin’ in the Rain at the
Lyric Theatre – an amazing musical theatre performance Day five of the Sydney Tour and Eisteddfod Day was finally
that provided the girls with many laughs, making the early here, the culmination of many before school, lunch time
wake-up time definitely worthwhile. and weekend rehearsals. This year, St Ursula’s College
entered into the School Dance Groups section – a high
Over the next three days, the girls experienced intensive calibre section open to all dance styles except tap. On the
workshop and rehearsal days with various prestigious dance day, the troupe’s hard work, passion and dedication paid off
companies throughout Sydney. On Thursday, the troupe as they were awarded 98/100, receiving first place out of
participated in private musical theatre and contemporary/ 23 teams. This outstanding result is a clear representation
lyrical classes at ED5 International followed by a tour of the of the talent and commitment throughout the troupe.
complex and a question and answer session with company
director, Elena de Cinque. Friday was spent at Brent Street Monday was a day to relax and recover; spent sight-seeing
Studios with a commercial jazz workshop and rehearsals around Sydney. On Tuesday, the troupe participated in an
for the upcoming Eisteddfod. Following the Brent Street immersion day at St Ursula’s College, Kingsgrove. It was an
experience, the troupe travelled to the Sydney Dance eye-opening experience to see Sydney school-life first hand
Company to touch base and rehearse with Shelley Moore and a showcase of the College’s Arts faculty. A successful
– the choreographer of the troupe’s Eisteddfod piece, Can and intensive week was drawn to a close as the troupe
We Autocorrect Humanity? returned to Toowoomba on Tuesday evening.

PAGE 11

NAIDOC WEEK Congratulations to Year 7
student Jessica Moore who
CELEBRATIONS... was the recipient of the Junior Sports
Award during recent NAIDOC Week
The theme of NAIDOC 2016: celebrations for her involvement in dance. Jessica’s dream
Songlines: The living is to dance for Bangarra, which is an indigenous and Torres
narrative of our nation Strait Islander dance company.

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the
Dreamtime describes a time when the earth, people
and animals were created by our ancestral spiritual beings.
They created the rivers, lakes, plants, land formations and
living creatures. Dreaming tracks criss-cross Australia and
trace the journeys of our ancestral spirits as they created
the land, animals and lores. These dreaming tracks are
sometimes called ‘Songlines’ as they record the travels of
these ancestral spirits who ‘sang’ the land into life.

During this wonderful week at our College, celebration
commenced with the Years 10 and 11 students attending
the Inter-school NAIDOC Cup at Harristown State High
School. The day was filled with the Indigenous Traditional
Games being played and refereed by participants of
LeagueTek Academy. The girls gained fourth place out of
nine teams and a fine effort by all involved. The festivities
continued on Wednesday with Years 7, 8 and 9 students
attending the Cobb & Co Museum’s, Captain Cook – Take
Another Look Program. The students enjoyed viewing
the exhibit, encompassing history which they were able to
touch, feel and sometimes smell.

As part of the continuing tradition of Songlines, on
Thursday we were honoured to be in the company of our
Elders and Community Members during morning tea and
Assembly. On this auspicious occasion, students were able
to learn and share the experience of traditional dancing
in the company of the Kooma Didgeri Aboriginal Art &
Dance. In conclusion of NAIDOC Week Celebrations on
Friday, Ms Kerry Canning (Aboriginal Artist) implemented
and designed St Ursula’s College’s Songline. During
the day the session was attended by Year 12 students
who helped create the artwork within the garden
overlooking The Salo Centre.

PAGE 14

COLLEGE

Open Day
- 2016 -
PAGE 153

AMAZING RESULTS

ACHIEVED FOR THE...

SCIENCE &
ENGINEERING

Chal enge

The Science and Engineering Challenge is a nationwide designing and building a vehicle capable of traversing the
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) rough Martian landscape.
outreach program presented by the University of Newcastle.
Each year, approximately 24,000 students from over 800 At the end of the day, all the individual event scores were
schools across Australia participate. This year, St Ursula’s calculated to give each team a total out of a possible 1600.
College sent two teams to compete in the 2016 Regional During the day, progressive scores were posted showing
Challenge which included 30 Schools from Ipswich and our Year 9 team only a few
west to Chinchilla competing over four days at USQ. points behind our Year
10 team, with the Year 9s
Each team was comprised of eight groups, which each keen to outshine their big
had specific problems to solve on the day. Through the sisters. However, at the end
Challenge, students experience aspects of Science and of the day, the Year 9 team
Engineering which they would not usually see in their finished with 1132.77 with
school environment. This could involve designing and the Year 10 Team winning
building a bridge to convey a moving cart loaded with the day with 1276.24.
“gold”, a hovercraft to complete an obstacle course or to
use a combination of string and straws to construct a This score was unable to be
prosthetic hand capable of performing sign language and beaten by any other school
lifting objects. in the competition and
ensured that St Ursula’s won
This year, our girls dominated these events with one or the Regional Challenge.
both of our teams finishing in the top three for every
event. Congratulations to Grace Watts, Julia Gannon and Congratulations to all the
Georgia Waters for winning their event which involved girls who competed and
building a tall earthquake proof structure. Olivia Cattonar, represented their College
Lucy Morcom, Eloise Nielsen and Angela Sleba designed with pride and true
the strongest and most cost-effective table and chair which Ursie spirit.
saw them win the Flat-Pack event. Julia Bigg, Alanna
Boland and Lauren Murray won their event which involved

PAGE 146

ANZAC The annual College ANZAC service was held to
remember those men and women who died for our
Celebrations country. This year we heard a collection of personal
stories from members of the College staff. Each of these
stories had their own meaning and demonstrated how
widespread and close to home the impact of conflict has
had on our College community. We were also lucky to
have the Harlaxton RSL Brass Band play with our College
Choir and members from the Harlaxton RSL Sub-Branch,
Women’s Auxiliary and Cr Nancy Sommerfield attend,
creating a very memorable event.
‘Lest We Forget.’

STORIES FROM OUR

Colege Community

During the second world war, my dad was loading shells into an anti-aircraft
gun when it backfired and fell, crushing the toes on one of his feet. Dad
received basic treatment before returning to his unit. The army told him he
could choose between taking a 10 shilling payment (today’s equivalent of
$1) or having shoes made for life because of his disfigured foot. He took the
money. Times were hard and, at home there was a new baby to feed. My mum
used to say how grateful she was when dad sent the money home but, after
the war, he never had a day’s comfort because of ill-fitting shoes. He never
spoke much about the war, but he sometimes spoke about his “poor old feet”
as a reminder not of the injury, but of the fact that he survived.
- Ms Gay Kelly (Teacher)

My Dad, Charles Edward Ribbon, served in the Royal New Zealand Air Force
during the Second World War in 30 Squadron which was a light bomber
squadron stationed at Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands.
At some stage his plane was shot down and he retrieved part of the side
window which was made out of Perspex and had the Air Force insignia on it.
He carved this into the shape of a heart and made a pendant from it for
my mother.
Dad never spoke of the war so I know my father’s time there was not an easy
one, but he never missed the Anzac Day service and his 30 Squadron reunions
where he could honour his mates who didn’t make it home.
- Mrs Wendy Cudd (Academic Secretary)

PAGE 15

My grandmother’s family lived in Papua New Guinea and The nursing cape which belonged to Mrs Dalton’s mother.
she was born there. Her uncle, Damien Parer, filmed and
made the Documentary Kokoda Front Line! in 1942 that
won Australia’s first Academy Award. His family still have
the original Oscar, made of plaster with gold plating due to
the shortage of metals in the War years. It was supposed to
be returned to Hollywood for replacement by the gold one
after the war but his producer kept it as a reminder of that
time. It is the only one in existence now and is in the War
Museum in Canberra.

My mum, Carolin Newsham who works in the accounts
office here at the College grew up with lots of stories of the
Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels and she has always wanted to go to
New Guinea and walk the Kokoda Track but has never had
the opportunity. Maybe one day she will.

- Abby Newsham

These are photographs of my mother’s nursing cape worn Above: Abby’s Great-Great Uncle’s
in the Second World War when she was nursing on the Academy Award, left: Mrs Cudd’s Father.
front line in Belgium and France. She was with the
British forces. gas poisoning, a new means of warfare in WW1. He was
captured in November in 1917 and remained a POW
The cape is khaki wool and very plain, but inside it my (prisoner of war) for two years until December 1919. Leslie
mother sewed colour patches given to her by some of the was awarded the British War Medal, the Victory Medal
men she nursed. I still have the cape. and The Star. After the war ended, Leslie returned home
to marry his fiancé, Lotte Rae, and resume carpentering.
In WWI my great-grandfather – Ernest Lee – fought at He and Lotte had six children. Home life was marred by
Gallipoli. He survived the war as a result of the metal Leslie’s PTSD, or shell shock as it was called in those days.
mirrors the infantry were given. He had a photo of my During a storm his young sons would find him curled in
grandmother in his breast pocket, outside the mirror. The a ball behind the garden shed, still hearing the guns and
photo had a hole right through the middle where the bullet screams of war. Leslie died at 47 from chest problems, most
had hit, but the mirror was basically undamaged. probably brought on by the mustard gas poisoning. He
We had that photo and mirror in the family but it seems was a brave man who suffered a lot for his country. Leslie’s
to have been lost in the past few years with moves to premature death meant Lotte had to fend for her family
other dwellings. alone. In those days there was little government financial
support for single parents. Lotte was a talented seamstress
- Mrs Jeanette Dalton (Teacher) so, after the children were in bed, she sewed dresses, suits
and wedding attire long into the night. I can still remember
During my time in the Airforce I was working in the Air my elderly grandmother sewing decades later, her arthritic
Operations Communication Centre in Sydney during the fingers pinning fabric then her feet rhythmically pedalling
Gulf War, which was an armed conflict between Iraq and the sewing machine. So, war affected my grandparents
a coalition of 39 nations which included Australia. The war very much. Like most soldiers, Leslie returned from war a
was a long way from Australia and had not really impacted changed man. Forever tortured by his memories, he found
on me. This was until one night I was communicating via it difficult to cope and his family’s life suffered. I never
radio with a pilot of one of our aircraft who was over there. knew my grandfather but today I would like to honour
The pilot was just giving me routine messages when all his courage and mourn his loss, as I know my mother did.
of a sudden he was exclaiming about the tracer bullets all I would also like to honour the memory of my resilient
around him and the bomb that had gone off just in front of grandmother, Lotte, who lived to almost 90.
him. This really impacted on me because the war became
tangible to me. I became part of it as I conversed with him - Mrs Cathy Aitchison (Teacher)
and shared in his experience. The war was no longer over
there, somewhere else away from me, it had become real.

- Ms Dianne Tumbridge (Teacher)

My maternal grandfather, Leslie Pezet, was in the 15th
battalion of the Australian Imperial Force. He served on
the Western Front in Bullecourt, Rein Court and Pozières
in northern France. Leslie was seriously wounded on three
occasions – bullets to the wrist, back and foot. Each time
he was sent to hospital but, once recuperated, he would
return to the trenches. Leslie was also the victim of mustard

PAGE 186

SUPPORTING

THE SCHOOL

of St Jude

Now offering free education to more than 1900 St Jude’s is playing a leading role in turning these
impoverished students, The School of St Jude in trends around.
Tanzania was established by former Aussie teacher, Gemma
Sisia and continues to be primarily funded by Australians Not only did Dorice’s graduating class rank in the top 10%
from across the country. nationally, all of them passed and more than half of them
achieved the highest possible mark.
Gemma is so proud of last year’s inaugural secondary
graduates, most of whom are currently completing a The past year has been a particularly special one for Dorice
voluntary year teaching in severely under-resourced and Gemma, who shared their story and expressed the
government schools. She brought one of those lucky high- entire St Jude community’s gratitude, when they visited St
achievers to Australia in March to share what a difference Ursula’s College in April.
St Jude’s is making in Tanzania.
“The School of St Jude now has almost 2000 students
Bubbly, bright Dorice Livingstone joined St Jude’s after who have a real chance to escape poverty and receive a
finishing in the top 10% of a government primary school, high-quality, life-changing education. It’s a dream that I’ve
and has been using her high-quality education to give back worked hard on building for more than 15 years now, and
to the community as a biology teacher. these amazing students and their families would never
have had the opportunity without the wonderful support
“When I was in a government school it was hard,” Dorice of Australians,” Gemma said. “I’m especially proud of our
said. “Sometimes the teacher was at class; sometimes she graduates, who are earning rave reviews as they volunteer
wasn’t. We spent from morning until night without any at local government schools.”
food and we didn’t have any books. “Because I was at St
Jude’s (in high school) I passed Form 4 (Grade 10) very well Molly Wagner, College Captain and leader of the service
and Form 6 very well.” group that supports St Jude’s, presented Gemma with a
cheque to support a teacher and a student.
Just 2.4% of the 1.63 million Tanzanian students who
enrolled in their first year of school with Dorice completed Molly also chaired the community forum which was held at
their secondary schooling. Toowoomba Grammar that afternoon.

Dorice and her female classmates, who make up more
than 50% of the St Jude’s population, are vital to a thriving
future in Tanzania.

Women receiving a first-rate education help break the cycle
of poverty, are less likely to die in childbirth or marry early
(and against their will), and are more likely to have healthy
children who they send to school.

This final point is key, as UNICEF’s latest figures show only
24.4% of females currently attend secondary school in
Tanzania. According to the United Nations Development
Programme, most girls in Tanzania have left school by their
12th birthday after just 4.5 years of education, and more
than 1 in 10 will have a baby by age 19.

Gemma, Molly, Doris and Mrs Pawsey

PAGE 17

Moly’s Exchange
to New Rochele

words MOLLY WAGNER, Year 12 2016

On the 26th December, 2015, I departed hot and sunny Central Station. The city from top to bottom, inside and
Toowoomba, flying over 32 hours to the cold yet out was explored. With meeting many walks of life along
dreamy New York city. The trip was a month’s exchange the way, there was nothing more reassuring then running
with a host family at The Ursuline School in New Rochelle into a few Aussies during my time in a Soho bagel shop.
– 20 minutes via train from the heart of the Big Apple. Safe to say that my addiction to bagels grew a little too
With four amazing weeks spent learning the ins and outs strong! Across the course of the month, many weekends
of the American Culture, the trip was most certainly one and a few sneaky days of school were taken to spend time
of a life time. The first week was spent getting to know in the city visiting family. Amongst the craziness, a few days
the family of four – Tony, Alethea, Austin and Ariana. here and there were spent at Alethea’s law firm (right next
With Ariana a Junior (Year 11) at The Ursuline School and to Central Park). With the global firm right at my finger
Austin at College in Connecticut, the Joneses provided a tips, Alethea provided me with much insight into part of
warming environment, one that I settled into very quickly. my dream job. At The Ursuline School I had the pleasure of
With the week of arrival, after Christmas and into New meeting Mrs Kilbrew, the Principal, and Mrs Davidson, the
Year’s, time was spent exploring the local suburbs outside President. From hearing the words of such extraordinary
of the city and within. New York has always been one of women, whilst being in such an amazing school, numerous
my two favourite cities, with the second time round proving life teachings were noted down. The trip not only taught
to be even better at Christmas time than in summer! The me much about life, but in particular how Angela Merici’s
second week in the big USA was the first week back for founding principle is so versatile among different cultures.
the students at The Ursuline School. I attend a mixture The trip opened my eyes to many ideas that I have brought
of classes with Ariana and her friends over a course of back to St Ursula’s College, in the hope of creating a
two weeks. Much time was spent comparing subjects in tradition with our own Ursie twist. The final weekend in
the caff, teaching Aussie slang and tasting fantails and America had planned its own surprise for me, with one of
minties. Ariana was a member of the open basketball New York’s worst blizzards. From being snowed in for over
team, requiring a demanding training regime of two hours, three days, I had my first experience of shovelling. With
six days a week. It was here I met a combined mixture of Neill and Robbie concerned for me returning home, my
Sophomores (Year 10), Juniors and Seniors (Year 12). The flight was luckily the first one to depart JFK in four days,
group of 15 girls welcomed me with open arms, initiating ready for a 20 hour flight home. New York was one of the
me into their team as the official Assistant Coach, taking most amazing trips to experience; however, there is no
track of hoops scored. With over 17 games watched and place like home!
close to 50 hours of basketball practice, its safe to say that
I know how to play the sport. This amazing team showed FUTURE EXCHANGES
me the American culture like no one has seen before. It
was from the advice of the Seniors that helped me spend New Rochelle - Music Tour Term 4 2016
my final week in New York with style. A full week and a bit
was spent taking day trips via the train, directly into Grand Read the report in the 2017 Merici News

PAGE 1208

EXPLORING ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE
EXPERIENCE WOULD HAVE BEEN THE
THE WORLD EVENING WE SHARED A MEAL WITH
SOME OF THE STRONG WOMEN FROM
SANTA TERESA
T H E C O M M U N I T Y. W E S AT B EN EATH
Immersion A CANVAS OF STARS AND SHARED A
MEAL AND STORIES ABOUT THE STARS
Agroup of students from St Ursula’s College recently ABOVE OUR HEADS. WHEN I LOOKED
spent time with the indigenous community of Santa UP I SAW A SHOOTING STAR, I HAVE
Teresa, known as Ltyentye Apurte, located 85km south
east of Alice Springs. This immersion gave the students SEEN MANY SHOOTING STARS BUT
the opportunity to bring to life their College motto of THERE WAS SOMETHING DIFFERENT
“Serviam”,- I will serve.
ABOUT THIS STAR. IT WAS THE
They have returned from their immersion having learned REALISATION OF OUR DEEP COSMIC
the profound humility which can only come from entering CONNECTION BETWEEN THE WOMEN
into the story of people and being open to the presence
of the other. Over five days the immersion group worked WHO WERE SHARING IN
within the community of Santa Teresa bearing witness THIS MEAL…
to the insightful wisdom and beauty of the Arrernte
culture. Students learnt that happiness and a fulfilling
life result from nurturing relationships with others and
the environment. They also learned that injustices are
happening in our indigenous communities and that action
on a personal and interpersonal level is imperative to see
change. The opportunity for the students of St Ursula’s to
experience such an immersion is about bringing students
to understand that as human beings we are all created in
the image and likeness of God and as humans we are one
flesh belonging to one human family. Our backgrounds are
different, our stories different but we share in one history;
we are all connected by our ability to love, and to dream
of making our world a better place. Our deep cosmic
connections were summed up by one of the students on
their return:

See more photos on the following page

PAGE 2191

Students on the Santa Teresa Mission Trip

FASHION
SUCCESS FOR

Ashley Duff (Year 12) has had a busy September pair of denim jeans at a cost of
with several Fashion Competitions. $30 from Lifeline, which were
deconstructed and remade into a new design.
In early September she was an entrant in the
Runway to Runway Fashion Competition at the Ashley rounded out the month at the Ipswich Fashion
Jondaryan Woolshed Jackie Howe Festival of the Festival on 23rd September, winning her Student category,
Golden Shears. plus the Design Excellence Award (prize of a Pfaff Passport
3.0 Sewing Machine) and the Masterclass Award – to spend
That same weekend was the SEQ Regional final for a day working with Vanessa Hoe (pictured left, centre),
AATFA – Apex Australia Teenage Fashion & Arts internationally renowned designer/owner of design house
Youth Festival. “When Freddie met Lilly”. Ashley was assisted in modelling
her designs by fellow Year 12 student Jordyn Herrmann
She had 3 entries; Formal wear, Casual wear & (pictured above right).
Society and Environment. She was successful with 2
entries and moved through to the State Final, which
was held at Mt Gravatt TAFE on 17 September, with 50
entrants across 4 categories.

Ashley was runner up in the Society and Environment
Category with her “Recycled Denim Outfit” to go through
to the National Final to be held at the Whitehouse Institute
in Melbourne on 22nd October. This design was also
eligible for judging in a “Cotton 2 Couture” category and
Ashley also took out this award for Queensland.

Society and Environment challenges the students to make
a statement on an issue, and Ashley chose Fast Fashion.
The garment is made from 3 recycled denim skirts and a

PAGE 20

ljclarkson 6min

On Thursday, 1st September, the College held its first Active Living Day, hosting 1,637 Likes
Lorna Jane Clarkson and her team. The aim of their visit was to spread Lorna’s ljclarkson So today was AMAZING ... Spent
Active Living Philosophy and encourage us all to Move, Nourish, Believe daily. the morning talking about Active Living with the
Everyone enjoyed a Q&A session with Lorna followed by a 20 minute move class and a students from St Ursula's College in
whole school selfie! Toowoomba. What a great group of girls and a
reminder of why our Active Living Schools
The aim of the Active Schools program is to inspire young women to be active, happy program is so important. Teaching future
and healthy and to instil a sense of confidence and self-belief from a young age. generations for a better tomorrow ... YAY ... Lx
#activeliving #inspired #lornajane
Feedback from the girls on the day was very positive! Not one mentioned her body, #activenationday
fashion or money. They all said things like, “Get up, get out there, keep going,
smile, eat better, you are an individual and you need to look after yourself so Like Comment
start by eating good things, get active, move, don’t listen to haters…..”
Jon at College Assembly receiving a
FUNDRAISING FOR cheque after the Sleepout in 2015.

ROSIES- Girls cooking a barbeque at the
Harlaxton Outreach.
FRIENDS ON THE STREET

The College once again participated in the Sleepout in Merici for
Rosies which occurred on the night of 29th July. We raised over
$3000 for Rosies – ‘Friends on the Street’. This was boosted by the
tremendous effort of some girls who raised over $100 individually;
however, even small donations were very welcome and added to our
total. The 35 girls who participated on the night enjoyed each other’s
company, but more importantly, found how cold it can be sleeping
outdoors in winter. They now have more empathy with the homeless
in Toowoomba.

We have now raised over $16,000 for Rosies over the last five years.

As well as the sleepout, we have been involved in cooking once a
month for the Harlaxton Outreach, collecting consumables for the
outreach van, running milo mornings and other fundraising. We
would like to acknowledge Jon Martlew (parent of Justine, 2015)
who was the organiser of Rosies until mid 2016. We thank Jon for
his commitment and tireless work for Rosies in
the community.

PAGE 21

INTERNATIONAL

WOMEN’S DAY...

This year we had a special guest for the International
Women’s Day Assembly. Past student, Leesa Wockner
(1999 - 2001), who is now working as a biostatistician,
talked to the girls about her school journey and what
she is doing at the moment. She was inspirational in her
speech and the girls appreciated her honesty and humour
in talking about her life choices.
After Year 12, Leesa moved to Brisbane to pursue
a degree in Science at UQ majoring in mathematics
and statistics. She then went onto obtain a PhD in
statistics from UQ, focusing on statistical methods for
high-dimensional data. After a one-year post-doctoral
position in Mainz, Germany, Leesa is now employed as
a Biostatistician at QIMR Berghofer Institute where she
provides statistical advice and training to the over 50 labs
housed at the institute. Additionally, her position allows
her to collaborate on a wide variety of projects from
the epigenetic profile of persons with schizophrenia, to
quality of life studies of patients with cancer. Leesa has
previously used her mathematical skill to explain how
ISBNs on the back of books work and how to win at
‘Deal or no Deal’ through a series of articles published in
the literary journal, ‘The Lifted Brow’.
It was such a privilege to have Leesa
speak to the girls and I know many
of them were inspired by her words.

PAGE 22

CONNECTING WITH
OUR BOARDERS...

Greta Keene

Year 12, 2016

My name is Greta Keene and I am a Year 12 Boarder
at St Ursula’s College in Toowoomba. I come from a
small town in South West Queensland called Injune and I
live on a cattle property on which my father works. I have
an older sister, Nina, who graduated from St Ursula’s in
2015 and a twin sister Anna, who like me, is currently
completing Year 12 at St Ursula’s. I am very grateful to my
parents who have allowed me to grow up in the bush and
have given my sisters and I the opportunity to ride horses
and to compete in Pony Club and Campdrafts.
Some other hobbies that I love are playing sport, cooking
and photography.
I started photography when I was thirteen years old and
over the past few years I have come to really enjoy it.
During this time, I have been fortunate enough to be
given two Cannon SLR cameras from our family friend,
Sherryl Bonisch. I like photographing bush life, particularly
photographing my family around the property, horses, as
well as taking the odd Campdraft photo.
This year, I was very fortunate to receive quite a few
awards for my photography. I received the Youth Open
and Champion Youth Award at the 2016 Heritage Bank
Toowoomba Royal Show Exhibition of Photography
with my photo titled “Mr Frog”. I also placed First in
the People Section of the the Queensland Country
Women’s Association Darling Downs Division Photography
Competition 2016 with a photo I called, “Dapples and
Freckles”, being the image of the girl leaning against the
grey horse. “Dapples and Freckles” is now going to the
Regional Finals in Brisbane. I also placed second in the
Roma Show and second in the QCWA Competition with
my image “Working Hands”, which is a close up of a man’s
hands fencing. In the Roma Show I also placed third and
received a Highly Commended. I also received third in the
the QCWA Competition.
One of my photos that I particularly like is the photo of the
dog working cattle. I like this photo because it focuses on
the dog, which is in the foreground, the cattle, which are in
the background and the the dust which is all around them.
Although I’m finishing school this year, I look forward to
continuing photography in the future and also learning
more about it and how I can improve my
photography skills.

PAGE 23

CONNECTING WITH Andi Kohnle

OUR GAP STUDENTS... Iam one of the new gap students at St Ursula’s College.
My name is Ann-Christin Kohnle but if you see me, just
Julia Krol call me Andi.

My name is Julia Krol, I am 19 years old and I am the I was born on the 2nd July, 1996 in a small town near
new volunteer from Germany. I am very happy to Stuttgart. If I am not abroad I live in a small village with
work in the Boarding House and to accompany the girls circa 2000 citizens (I think there are more cows than
in their daily routine. This is my first time in Australia citizens!), named Buehlerzell. So Toowoomba is like a big,
and I hope to have wonderful experiences and certainly big city for me.
contribute to the boarding life at St Ursula’s College. I have
just finished school in Germany, thus this is my gap year I have two siblings, one brother and one sister and both
before I continue studying at university. are younger than I. My sister Maike, who is 18 years old,
finished school with me last school term and she will do
I live in “Jork” which is nearby Hamburg, in
the north of Germany. Northern Germany a voluntary social year as an
is said to be cold and rainy. Unfortunately, assistant of an ambulance driver.
this is true for most of the days and I am My brother Julian, 16, also
really looking forward to the Australian finished school last term. His plan
summer! However, the region where I live is to go to school for three years
in is very beautiful as there are a lot of to get the A-level certificate like
apples, cherries or plums in autumn and my sister and I have already.
many other fruits. If you want to see how
the apple plantations blossom, you should In 2007 I started my secondary
visit this area during spring. school time at a Catholic girls
school named St Gertrudis. There
In my free time, I practise Volleyball and were over 1200 girls and you
Ultimate Frisbee and generally speaking, I could feel the spirit of St. Francis
like all team sports, especially those with a (our nuns are members of the
ball. If training does not take place, I like to religious order of St Francis). If
go swimming, jogging or in good weather the nuns taught me one thing it
roller blading with friends. Other free time was to be strong, self-confident
activities are drawing, reading books or book binding, and believe in your own
which I have learned in a school club. Recently, I have just personality and strength and the
started to play the ukulele since I have always wanted to most important thing – you are
play any instrument. never alone. If God closes a window He opens a door but
it´s up to you to find it.
In Germany, I live with my parents and my older brother
Simon. I grew up bilingual because our family originally In my free time I participate in many community
came from Poland and therefore my mother tongues are organisations. I coach gymnastics with a group of girls,
German and Polish. Apart from that, I really like studying aged between 9 and 14. For 10 years I was involved in the
languages like French and Spanish. local church as an altar server. I tutored a boy in maths,
organised a holiday program for kids and babysitting. I also
So far, I do like Australia very much. I hope to see a lot of played soccer, did handicraft work or sewed.
this country and to make new experiences at St Ursula’s
College and also during travelling. I´m looking forward to having a nice time in Australia,
especially at St Ursula´s with many experiences and meeting

Andimany interesting and lovely people.

Auf Wiedersehen (Goodbye)
PAGE 246

CHAMPAGNE & CANAPES FOR Thank you to all the mums, grandmothers, aunts, sisters and daughters
who enjoyed a lovely afternoon of ‘Champagne & Canapes’ with us on the
Mother’s Day front lawn to celebrate Mother’s Day.

We shared this prayer with our guests, written by our Pink Ladies
service group:

Dear Jesus,

We thank you for all mothers
and carers around the world,
and for all they do for their
children. We thank you for
their patience when we don’t
get things right. We thank
you for their encouragement
when we find life hard.
We pray that mums would
feel really special today and
that you would remind us
every day to show them as
much love and help as they
give to us.

Amen.

BREAKFAST FOR Scan
here!
Father’s Day
View more images
Thank you to all the dads, granddads and from any of the
uncles who joined us for our Annual Father’s events on these pages
Day Breakfast. on our website by
scanning the above
Everyone enjoyed the BIG breakfast code, or going to our
while raising money for Prostate Cancer News & Events Page.
Awareness. A special thanks to our sponsors
the Cube Hotel and ITW Proline
Hardware Solutions.

PAGE 25

SPECIAL MASS FOR

Grandparents’ Day

In August we had a wonderful day celebrating
those special people in our lives we call
Grandparents. Special thank you to Mrs
Mary Wagner who presented the
Gospel Reflection at Mass with her
granddaughters, Molly and Hettie.

INTEARActCivTitieCsLUB

The St Ursula’s College Interact Club is a service club for The Cruise for Cancer event is a joint project of The Rotary
young people aged 12-18 who want to join together to Club of Toowoomba City and the Darling Downs Harley
tackle the issues in their community that they care most Owners’ Group. The Rotary Club of Toowoomba City
about. Every year we try to fundraise for one local, national sponsors our College Interact Club. The annual ride has
and international cause. Term 3 we focused on our local been running for 15 years on the last Sunday in August,
farmers in not only our College community but our wider and this year was the first year our Interact Club members
community, through the organisation, ‘Aussie Helpers’. By had been invited to assist. Three members of our Club,
conducting a Trivia Night for our College community and Olivia Burling, Grace Saxton, our Youth Exchange Program
other schools Interact Clubs, we raised money for student, Malene Justesen, and I assisted with serving
this organisation. lunch to all the riders and pillion passengers at the end
of the ride. This year the ride highlighted melanoma and
Our Trivia Night was held on Saturday, 23rd July in our raised funds to sponsor Room 17 at Toowoomba’s Olive
College Chapel. Our sponsor Rotary Club, the Rotary Club McMahon Accommodation Lodge. The event Ambassador
of Toowoomba City, also provided a barbecue on the night. was Dr Mark Copland (Head of Social Justice for Catholic
As part of the fundraiser, we held a multi-draw raffle. The Education). Details about the Cruise can be found at www.
money raised went towards supporting the Aussie Helpers cruiseforcancer.net.au It was a wonderful opportunity for
organisation to stay in touch with farming families to our students to build connections with our sponsoring
ensure their wellbeing and survival through good and Rotary Club and to assist at a local charity event.
bad times. We raised $238.81.
Mrs Sandra Searston
Thank you to all who contributed.

Maggie Ryan and Olivia Burling

PAGE 286

OUR COLLEGE COMMUNITY...

FACES OF THE

Oryem Family

Text & Photography by
Josephine Aleng Oryem, Year 11

I’m a young 16-year-old Sudanese girl from Australia. I
originally came from South Sudan, born and raised in
Kumkuma, a refugee camp. At the age of four I came to
Australia with my two parents and began a new life. I’m
proud to be a young Acholi girl. I now have six brothers
and one sister, Bernard, Christopher, Peter, Kizito, John,
Gloria and Gabriel. My siblings were all born in Australia
but my parents still teach us about our culture and how its
important that we know where we are from, where we call
home and who we are related to by blood.

We still live our cultural traditions in our daily lives; we
speak Acholi which is our native language and it’s natural
to speak Acholi when at home or meeting with other
Acholi people. We love to dance and embrace our culture
and we eat traditional food.

Girls in the Acholi culture have to kneel when greeting
other people, that’s the way of saying welcome and it’s
showing great respect. Boys are known as the men of the
house and they would have control.

My brother, Kizito is the fourth child in the family; he is
eight years and turning nine in December. He attends
school at St Thomas Moore’s Primary School in Grade 3.
Kizito is a very active child who enjoys jumping, playing and
experimenting with his sports such as Basketball, Athletics
(track) and Footy - he is a BIG FAN. He also loves playing
his video games and his favourite colours are red and
purple.

Gloria is my only sister and she is the sixth in the family
– she is five years old. She attends school at St Thomas
Moore’s Primary School. She is a bright young girl, who
is goofy, funny and energetic. Gloria loves dancing in all
sorts of ways and she can surprise you. She enjoys dancing
to traditional music as well as her own. She wants to be a
ballerina when she grows up and loves doing gymnastics
in the backyard. Her favourite colour is blue and she is a
big fan of Frozen and Barbie. Gloria has a bright future and
as her older sister, I will stick by her and I will help all my
siblings reach their goals.

I asked Kizito what he wanted to be when he is older and
he said he is unsure. I told him that’s okay as he has a
special gift in him and that he will succeed and be great in
everything he does.

We are all Australians no matter where you are, where you
come from and children will always be kids and will smile.

PAGE 27

Some of our Boarders enjoying a workout.

NEW COLLEGE In short, we truly believe in making your time with us the
best minutes of your day.
Fitness Facility
EFM is both a Public and Corporate club and is open to
EFM Health Clubs bridges the gap between a conventional all students and employees of St Ursula’s. Did you know
gym (where you typically get access to the gym with parents, ex-students, friends and family are also most
minimal help & support) and a Personal Trainer which for welcome to come in experience why EFM is so unique.
most people is simply not an affordable long term option to
stay motivated with your exercise regime. Currently we have a number
of boarding and day students
Every time you come in for a workout at EFM in the making good use of the
College, you have your very own Personal Fitness Coach club as well as teaching and
who, at each and every session you attend, coaches you administration staff and
through your session, sets your weights & machines, a good number of public
motivates you and keeps you accountable to reaching members who have all
your goals. experienced amazing changes
in their quest to better health
and wellbeing.

SPACE + PLACE:
FUTURE VISION

Implementation

Earlier this year, the Building & Development Committee One of the first steps in our vision’s safety package was to
(sub-Committee of the Board) assisted with the help streamline our future planning with the Council. There
identification of priorities for implementation of the has been much effort put in by our team of consultants in
2015-released Future Vision. The initial Vision had included helping us in this area and we hope to have this completed
different packages that could be implemented separately, by the end of this year. We have commenced planning for
as part of a package and with various timeframes. It was appropriate locations for offsite parking for our community.
dynamic in that it provided a framework for
future planning. We are also working towards Languages area upgrades
within the next six months plus also defining our ideas for a
For 2016, priorities were identified in the areas of: dedicated prayer room at the northern end of the Chapel.
This year we have held focus group meetings with key
• safety (including Rome Street and car park solutions) staff to define what is the future of our current Library/
Resource Centre area. It is definitely an exciting space that
• classroom upgrades in the Languages area is developing and we will keep you updated and involved in
this area in the next Merici.
• opportunities for improving the utilisation of the front
and side of the Chapel on Taylor Street

• the future Library.

PAGE 2308

EXPLORING Le Pont D’Avignon
Ramparts of Vannes
THE WORLD
Chefchaouen
MADAME BROWN’S Basilica Notre Dame de la Garde

overseas adventures

In the last term of 2015, I took long service leave and
headed off on the trip of a lifetime for almost four
months. While my time away was a great pleasure, many
of the experiences I encountered were related to my work
as a French teacher.

My first week took me to the south of France. Here I
explored seaside resorts such as St Tropez and Nice where
the sea water is almost artificially blue; Marseille where I
visited the spectacular Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica;
Cassis where I took a boat ride up the calanques (narrow
steep-walled inlets of limestone); the spectacular “villages
perchés” (hilltop villages) such as Gordes, Goudron and Èze;
the Camargue, a marshy area in the Rhône River delta that
is home to wild horses, bulls and a wide variety of birdlife;
and Monaco where I rubbed shoulders with the rich and
famous while they browsed for their next extravagant
purchase at the annual yacht show. The highlight of this
week for me was Avignon which is famous for the bridge…
well half a bridge, and the Palais des Papes. The palace
was home to seven French Popes during the 15th century.
What made the palace all the more impressive is the fact
that it was built over a period of 10 years.

My next destination was Morocco. This has been on
my bucket list for a number of years as it is a theme we
cover with our Year 11 French classes. I travelled on an
Intrepid tour and our guide for the nine days, Saïd, was
passionate about sharing the culture of his beautiful
and exotic country. I particularly enjoyed Volubilis, Fès
and Chefchaouen. Volubilis is a World Heritage listed
site which has Roman ruins which date back to the first
century. About 20 acres of the site has been excavated
which represents about half of the ruins. There were richly
appointed residences all with mosaics; these impressive
works appear all around Volubilis and have not been
restored. In Fès we explored the médina (the old part
of town) which is a labyrinth of 9400 streets stretching
over 740 acres. In the médina we visited workshops and
cooperatives where we witnessed talented artisans creating
their wares: pottery, mosaics, leather products, textiles
and silverware. Chefchaouen was my favourite place in
Morocco. The city has the distinction of having blue walls.
This is thought to have been introduced by Jews when they
fled here from Spain during the Spanish inquisition. It is
absolutely stunning.

After returning to France I spent two weeks at a language
school in Vichy. I have been here twice before and as
always, I enjoyed the opportunity to improve my own
language skills.

PAGE 29

Following this, I spent a week with my daughter, Jorgia (a With Jorgia in Rocamadour
2013 St Ursula’s graduate) who was in France working as Medieval part of Vannes
a nanny. We hired a car and travelled to the Dordogne, a Firefly office London
region famous for its duck and goose products. We had Carnac
a wonderful time together exploring some of the historic
towns of the region, such as Sarlat and Rocamadour.

My next stop was Vannes in the Brittany region where I
visited Lycée Notre Dame le Ménimur, an Ursuline high
school. I spent a total of two weeks here and it is the
school some of our Year 11 students will visit as part of
our inaugural tour to France in December this year. I was
warmly welcomed by staff and students alike. Everyone
was eager to find out what I was doing at their school and
to learn about school life for our students at St Ursula’s
College. I was hosted by four different families during my
stay and they all provided me with different insights into
life in a French family. I particularly enjoyed exploring
the rugged coastline of Brittany and seeing the standing
stones at Carnac. This is certainly an area I look forward to
sharing with my students in December.

I HAVE GAINED A DEEPER
UNDERSTANDING OF FRENCH
LA NGUAGE A N D C U LT U R E ,
AS WELL AS AN INCREASED
PASSION FOR SHARING THIS
KNOWLEDGE WITH MY STUDENTS.

I left Vannes and headed north to Ouistreham where I took
a ferry to Portsmouth. After spending a couple of days
with distant relatives in Gosport, I travelled to London. In
the suburb of Hammersmith I visited the head office of
Firefly, our learning management system, and was taken
to one of the nearby schools which has been using Firefly
for quite a bit longer than us. It was reaffirming to see
that here at St Ursula’s we are making excellent use of this
wonderful platform.

I spent a few days exploring London before my husband
joined me. We headed back to France where we spent our
25th wedding anniversary in Paris. Then we travelled to the
Somme where we did a two day tour of the World War I
battlefields. This was a particularly moving experience for
me as we visited the field where my great-uncle George
Swalling was killed during the Battle of Passchendaele on
the 12th October, 1917. Our final days in France were
spent celebrating Christmas and New Year with some of
our French friends.

This four months was an absolutely unforgettable
experience where I learnt about the history and culture of
Morocco and gained a deeper understanding of French
language and culture, as well as an increased passion for
sharing this knowledge with my students. My students
have certainly benefited from the first hand stories I have
been able to share with them.

PAGE 302

FACE OF
THE GLOBE

Emily Martin

My name is Emily Martin and I accompanied by Year 11 and 12 Counting up my charity funds I
am a current Year 12 student at studies, I really didn’t make things easy was astonished that, after all my
St Ursula’s College Toowoomba and for myself, but luckily I am always up fundraising, raffles, events, coloured
at just 17 years of age I am now an for a challenge! clothes days, home baking and more,
International Pageant Queen. the grand total I had raised for the
It was the charity aspect of the Rainbow Child Foundation
Face of the Globe is an international pageant however that drew me was $26,500.
pageant held every year in Disneyland in. The pageant has one selected
Paris and focuses on a contestant’s charity for which they encourage With this under my belt, along with
ability to fundraise, engage in you to fundraise, the Rainbow over 100 appearances, including
community work, public speaking, Child Foundation. Their work is community work, media and my
conduct themselves in a proper similar to that of UNICEF, helping own charity events, I took to the sky,
manner, etiquette, stage presence and underprivileged children in third world travelling to London in the holiday
so much more. countries. So I took it upon myself break following first term. The
to raise as much money as physically competition was a week-long affair
My Face of the Globe journey began in possible, organising some of the filled with fitness tests, interviews, on-
December 2014 when I was accepted biggest charity fundraisers and events stage speeches, photo-shoots, balls,
as a 2015 finalist in the Australian I never thought would have been pyjama parties, rehearsals and then,
National round of competition. imaginable. My major fundraising of course travelling to Disneyland
After many months of hard work, event, BASSDROPP, an all schools Paris to the New York New York hotel
preparing and fundraising, I arrived in social, drew lots of attention from the where rehearsals continued and a
Melbourne, mum by my side, ready high school community throughout fun day in Disneyland park was had.
to take to the National stage. The the Darling Downs, with thousands The week of competition wrapped
weekend of the competition flew by of students attending the event. up and the ‘crowning night’ drew
and on ‘crowning night’ I took out the Whilst fundraising for the charity, I ran ever closer. Makeup and hair, ball
title of Australia’s Teen Charity Queen three of these all school social events, gowns and sashes adorned the almost
after raising $8,500 for the Rainbow growing from the first event with 100 contestants in the competition.
Child Foundation, also placing First 540 kids attending to the final event The opening number to Little Minx’s
Runner Up. This placing meant I with 960 teens joining in on the fun ‘Solute’ started the night with a bang,
would go on to the second stage of that is BASSDROPP. I am so pleased but then came the formalities of the
competition, the International Finals as to say that after my return from Paris, night and it was time for the awards.
an Australian representative. BASSDROPP All Schools Social has now First to be called were the ‘Side’
been established as a company here awards where I took the title of Teen
Now let me tell you this, preparing for in Toowoomba with plans to expand Miss Publicity and also the title of Teen
an international pageant with photo- and continue to provide the youth Charity Queen for the international
shoots every second weekend, TV and of Toowoomba with a fun, drug and competition. I am so incredibly proud
radio interviews, magazine articles, alcohol-free Friday night once a term. of this title and everything it stands
organising huge charity events, for. I was also elated to find out that
community work and appearances

PAGE 3231

this 17-year-old teen from Toowoomba rate sped up and we were all holding
was the highest ever charity fundraiser hands, shaking.
in the history of the Face of the
Globe pageant. As the highest charity “And your Teen Face of the Globe
fundraiser, 10% of the total raised by 2016 International Queen is …
all of the contestants was donated on Miss Emily Martin!”
my behalf to a charity of my choice,
Beyond Blue, which came to a total My mouth dropped in shock and
of $22,000. I cupped my face in my hands. All
I remember is being told to walk
My heart was beating so fast and forward as my new sash and crown
my body physically shaking as I was were placed on me by the previous
called up on stage as one of the top teen title holder. I don’t believe I slept
10. They called 4th runner up and it that night.
went to England, 3rd Runner up, 2nd
Runner up and 1st Runner up all went Two years of hard work and dedication
to Australian representatives. That was paid off and I am beyond honoured to
it. Only one place left. The title of Teen be the new International Teen Queen
Face of the Globe 2016. As I stood for Face of the Globe. This is only just
on stage with the remaining five girls, the beginning of a big adventure to be
they began to play heart beat music, had! I must thank everyone involved in
boom boom, boom boom... my heart making my Face of the Globe journey
possible, including St Ursula’s College.

LILVALE RED POLL STUD

Lileah’s Show Success

My name is Lilleah Newberry, I am 12 years old and Cattle in their own country. Last year Glenn Innes hosted the
I come from Glenn Innes in NSW. My two sisters, Red Poll Congress and we met so many breeders from all
Hannah and Georgie, are past students of St Ursula’s over the world. We learnt so much at this event.
College and I am very proud to follow in their footsteps.
Our family lives on a property called “Square Range” in As well as breeding cattle, I regularly compete in Pony Camp
Glenn Innes. My dad breeds cattle and I breed my own events and I have been a member of Glen Innes Pony Club
cattle called the “Lilvale Red Poll Stud”. since the age of two and have represented the club at zone
level a number of times. I also compete at local campdrafts
My greatest achievement this year was winning the and I am also training my young horse for these events.
“Grand Champion Female Cow and Calf” at the Glenn
Innes Show. Showing cattle gives me the opportunity to In the future, my goal is to become very successful in the
visit many cities and towns in Queensland and New South Beef Industry.
Wales. I have been to Tenterfield and Guyra shows this
year, the Sydney Royal Easter Show and the Brisbane Ekka.

I competed with my own stud at Sydney Royal and worked
with two other Glen Innes Studs – Kookabookra Red Poll
Stud and Glen Leigh Red Poll Stud. I worked and showed
with these studs at the Brisbane Ekka and
received Champion Bull.

In September I will be
attending the The Red
Poll Youth Camp which
will teach me so much.
In the future, I would
like to travel overseas to
the Red Poll Breeders
Congress, where
breeders from all over
the world meet, learning
new techniques and
how to breed Red Poll

PAGE 32

EMBRACING

SERVIAM Care for Cambodia

Clare Watson and Ann Brownlie

Over the summer holidays, St Ursula’s teachers, Clare productively work with the locals to address their needs at a
Watson and Ann Brownlie, travelled once again grassroots level. We feel privileged to spend time with and
to Siem Reap, Cambodia to volunteer teach at Grace witness these women truly enact the work of St Angela in a
House Community Centre, taking with them much selfless manner done with upmost respect for the dignity of
needed resources and donations from St Ursula’s Care for the people and with the most care.
Cambodia service group. Grace House’s primary focus is the In our visits to Battambong we have witnessed these
education of those who are well below the poverty line. In women enacting the words of Angela.
addition, Grace House provides assistance such as Meals on
Wheels for the elderly, monthly rice distribution to families, “DO SOMETHING. GET MOVING.
medical aid and the only service delivering therapy and
life skills to the disabled. You can learn more about Grace BE CO N F I D E NT.
House at www.gracehousecambodia.net
RISK NEW THINGS.
Whilst in Cambodia, we had the pleasure of continuing our
connection with the Ursuline community of nuns living and S T I CK W I T H I T.
working in Battambong. These inspiring women have been GET ON YOUR KNEES.
responsible for the set up and day-to-day running of the
Ursuline Learning Centre with the aim of reducing poverty THEN BE READY FOR BIG SURPRISES.”
through education of the poor. The centre continues
to grow in terms of student numbers, classes offered
and resources. We were very impressed to see a brightly
decorated playground for the preschool aged children, hear
of a nutrition focus with the provision of an egg and/ or
milk given to the students each day and we were able to
witness a Saturday computer class for the teenage students.
A new building has been added since our last visit which
includes an open air classroom on top for activities such
as practising traditional dance. There are plans for future
extension such as the planting of fruit trees and possibly
reviving an old rice paddy next door. The Ursulines working
in Battambong originate from different countries such as
Indonesia and Thailand but what impressed us most is that
they have even learnt to speak and write Khmer in order to

PAGE 335

OUR COLLEGE COMMUNITY...

MRS MAASA
MULHARE

Maasa Mulhare is from Japan and has been living in in English. However, she found the scenery amazing
Australia for a few years now. and beautiful which is one of the reasons why she
loves Australia.
Maasa lived in Yokohama, Japan, which has a population
of 3,689 million people. Yokohama is known for having Maasa planned on going to university until she was met by
the biggest Ferris Wheel in Japan, which Maasa only lived a teacher from St Ursula’s College, who recommended she
10 minutes away from. Maasa lived with her grandparents. should apply to work at the school in the
When she lived in Japan, she was a retail assistant for language department.
Monday, Tuesday and Fridays, and was a kindergarten
teacher on the other days. As Japanese shops don’t close Maasa now works as a Japanese assistant teacher at the
until late, Maasa was busy with a lot of work. After she College and says that she enjoys teaching and that she is
finished work, she often went out with friends for dinner very lucky to have the opportunity to teach Japanese to the
and sang karaoke with them. students. As one of her students, I couldn’t be luckier to
have a teacher like Maasa.
Maasa is interested in playing musical instruments and
often when she works around the house, she listens to Words & Photography by Coral Grant (Year 11)
music. She also enjoys watching anime
(Japanese Animation).

Maasa and her husband thought they’d move to Australia
for an adventure and so Maasa could attend University to
study English. Upon arriving in Australia, she thought it was
overwhelming that everyone around her was talking

MAGGIE MURPHY is our first priority.”
One of the primary
Cricket Superstar reasons that she has to
be so committed to her
Maggie Murphy is a sixteen-year-old boarder at St Ursula’s studies, as well as her
College Toowoomba. She lives in a small country town in cricket, is that in the
South West Queensland called Thallon, near St George. cricket industry women
Growing up there were only about 40 kids at the primary are paid a lot less than
school and most people got along well with each other. men are. Because of this,
Maggie showed an early interest in cricket starting when women have to have
she was 10 years old. another job or degree
on the side. Maggie will
When Maggie was in primary school, the minimum travel be working very hard in
time to cricket committments was three hours from her the future to play cricket
property. Now, because Maggie is a boarder and most of full time like one of her
her cricket commitments are in Brisbane there is a lot of cricketing inspirations,
juggling to get her to and from. Holly Ferling, an Australian National Cricketer.

When she first signed up for the cricket team she did not Playing cricket has brought so many new opportunities
know how to play, but wanted to give it a go. She made for Maggie coming from such a small town. Opportunities
the team and has been playing ever since. Her trainer, Don that Murphy has worked extremely hard to take advantage
Spanner, is helping her to reach her potential as a bowling of, including being a part of the pre-season training squad
all rounder. Maggie has also had to manage her studies as one of five QLD Fire rookies, to come and train with
as well as pursuing her cricketing dreams. Maggie states the athletes and develop her skills. In the future Maggie is
that when juggling school and cricket “It is extremely planning to continue her cricket and is currently attending a
hard, cricket does sometimes have an impact on my study; silver rookie Queensland program that selects girls to
however, we try to minimise that. My coaches are very be trained by Queensland cricket in order for
good with study; they are always telling us that education further selections.

Words & Photography by Lauren Neilson (Year 11)

PAGE 364

Emma Seidel’sOUR URSULINE TIES...
THAILAND ADVENTURE
Year 12, 2015

After attending the Ursuline Leadership Conference 2014 was absolutely an amazing and enjoyable experience.
in 2014, I always wanted to go back to Thailand. As At the time, I knew that the conference would have
a graduation gift, my ‘schoolies’ adventure was going to a profound impact upon my life but going back and
Thailand with my family for a three-week holiday. revisiting these places, reinforced the gratitude I have for
all the opportunities I had being a part of the St Ursula’s
During our time in Thailand we visited places that I had Community.
been able to experience on my previous trip with the
conference. We met up with Monica and went to see the
Mater Dei school. It was lovely to see the friends I had
made from the annual visiting students in the boarding
house and from the conference again.

As an elective at the conference, I was one of four
students that had the opportunity to visit and work at the
orphanage at Pattaya. One of the activities all the students
and teachers did was to paint the inside of the orphanage
fence. Since visiting with the orphanage, I have always
wanted to go back as the children and staff had such a
profound impact on me. It reinforced to me how blessed
I was and how many excellent opportunities in life are
available to me.

Going back, we visited the children, had a tour around the
grounds which also gave me the opportunity to see where
we all had painted the fence again. I took an Ursie Bear
to give to the children as I thought it was not only a good
reminder of my time at the conference but also a significant
symbol of the St Ursula’s College community. This Ursie
Bear’s new home is in the Deaf School attached to
the orphanage.

For the most part of our holiday, we visited the Karen
Villages in the North of Thailand and saw the work that
my Great Uncle and Cousin do with the Karen Children’s
Education Foundation. We made some wonderful new
friends and the experience of village life was an absolutely
memorable experience.

Whist at the College, I was a part of the Rising Daughters
Service Group which deepened my understanding of the
selfless service, bravery and comradery of our Veterans. This
was further reinforced through our visit to Hellfire Pass and
The Thai - Burma Railway as we sat and listened to audio of
the memories of those who were Prisoners of War working
on the rail and as I walked the track they did every day.

All in all, going back to Thailand and visiting the places
that I had been with the Ursuline Leadership Conference

PAGE 35

CONNECTING WITH
PAST STUDENTS

Sarah Ryan and Anna McMahon

1990 and 2003

The Floral Gift, at Sydney Table, was a one night able to take away placemats on which we had hand-drawn
dinner event hosted by Bloodwood Chefs Claire van individual flowers and their meanings.
Vuuren and Mitch Grady in collaboration with artists
Anna McMahon (2003) and Sarah Ryan (1990). Guests For the second Floral Gift, Directors of MOP Projects, Ron
were treated to an entirely flower based menu staged Adams and George Adams asked Anna if she would like
at Carriageworks, Sydney. As part of the Sydney Table, to hold an event within her exhibition as part of Art Month
this dinner celebrated flowers, good food and lively Sydney. When we discussed what we would like to do for
conversation. This is the third instalment of The Floral Gift, Art Month, we were both interested and excited about the
the first having been hosted by McMahon and Ryan in New prospect of collaborating with a chef to extend the menu
York in 2014, and the second hosted by McMahon, Ryan and the dining experience.
and van Vurren earlier this year.
Essentially each dinner is seasonal as we can only access
The Floral Gift was first held at Open Source Gallery, New what is in season. The main difference between the first
York. We were invited to contribute to their annual soup Floral Gift and the second one is that we did not cook
kitchen series. Open Source Gallery is a Brooklyn-based pineapple soup, but worked with an amazing chef to
gallery that serves as a nexus for contemporary art and local make the dinner far more dynamic. Another difference is
neighbourhood cultures and places a strong emphasis on that whilst in the first dinner we had had a major floral
public socially engaged artwork, sustainable communities, centrepiece on the table, in this second rendition we had
and social justice. pressed the flowers in a very large flower press to make the
floral centrepiece flat. We did this for a few reasons, but
We made a pineapple soup for The Floral Gift which mainly to encourage cross table conversation. The Floral
involved a lot of curry leaves and peppercorns. Pineapples Gift is made locally each time from the flowers that we can
in the language of flowers mean ‘you are perfect’. We source in the area.
thought pineapple soup in the middle of a New York winter
would be a fun and exotic meal for this project. Working
on the other side of the world, we were working with what
we could find, rather than what we could bring along. We
researched the language of flowers at the New York City
Library sourcing rare books. From this research we then
sourced seasonal flowers that we could find at the New
York Flower Market, as well as weeds from beside the road
and less traditional flowers from supermarkets to display as
a major floral centrepiece.

At the conclusion of the night we composed bouquets
with specific floral meanings to give away to our guests
as gifts. To accompany these bouquets, guests were also

PAGE 386

CONNECTING WITH
PAST STUDENTS

Nicki Prentice and Theresa Conrick

YEAR 12, 2004

We are Nicki and Theresa, a primary school teacher to local students aged from 6 - 22 and the kindergarten
and an accountant/dance teacher, both former teachers. It was a challenge to teach these lessons with
students of St Ursula’s College, Toowoomba. We decided limited resources and the language barrier, but to see the
to take a gap year at 28 years of age, perhaps not the most improvement in the students after six short weeks made
conventional idea but once the seed was planted there it all worth it. We became close friends with the older
was no denying its rapid growth. In the last 10 months we students, and the younger students would walk home with
have been fortunate enough to have seen 20 countries, us holding hands and practising what we had learnt in class
experienced endless fun, met incredible people and seen that day along the way. If ever we were out and about in
breathtaking places. However we’re not writing about the village they would never miss a chance to say ‘hello
those times, we’re writing about the last six weeks of our teacher’ and bring us flowers. We taught the students
epic journey, the part that took us to a little village named English and dance; they taught us how to be enthusiastic
Chrab Veil on the outskirts of Battambang in Cambodia. about learning.

We met Sr Jantana at the dusty roadside on her bicycle and WE TAUGHT THEM THE SECRET TO A
she welcomed us warmly. We heard all about the projects DELICIOUS CARBONARA PASTA;
run by the Ursuline sisters, wow are they busy people! Their THEY TAUGHT US THE TRUE
day starts at 5.30am and doesn’t finish until 6pm. They run MEANING OF SERVIAM.
a kindergarten, a learning centre, a scholarship program, a
local parish, a health education program and they help out Our walks around the Chrab Veil village showed us how
at a nearby health centre. We taught them the secret to a little the locals had and how different their lifestyles were
delicious carbonara pasta; they taught us the true meaning to our own. They cooked on coals outside, had a shower
of Serviam. with a bucket and many went without electricity. When
we looked closer, we saw the way their priorities are more
The kindergarten has 60 children, complete with two family orientated and more about the simple things in
teachers, a cook, a gardener and a secretary who is also life. We saw children having so much fun running around
the computer guy and musician. The children would run outside together, and a closeness between grandparents
and meet us at the gate and smile their biggest smile while and their grandchildren as three generations of family
greeting us with the traditional hello, ‘Chum Reap Suor’. live together under one roof. We taught them that
We did some art activities with the students and made communication is possible without words; they taught us
some hop scotch squares for them to play on. We taught that ‘less is more’, and while the Cambodians may be poor
the children English and played games with them in financial terms, they are rich in the time that they spend
every day; they taught us how to be carefree and show
unconditional love.

Our afternoons were spent teaching English and dance

PAGE 37

together and the love they share.

We were definitely a part of something bigger in Battambang, with so
many religious orders supporting the community in valuable ways. We
were invited to a rice blessing at a youth hostel run by the Providence
sisters. Instead of feeding ourselves rice it was tradition to feed each
other. So we went around shoving rice in people’s mouths. Not the
most hygienic blessing we’ve ever had but certainly the most fun!
To finish they dragged us onto their makeshift dance floor for some
freestyle dance. We taught them some rockin’ 90s dance moves and the
Nutbush; they taught us how to welcome strangers with open arms and
be friendly and happy in all that you do.

We arrived in Battambang with the intention of giving something
back as a way of showing gratitude for our incredible year of fun and
freedom, the final blossom of our travel tree! We may have given
something back yet in the end it was we who gained so much. We will
both return home feeling not only grateful for what we have, but much
more importantly, who we have.

CONNECTING WITH
PAST STUDENT

Amy Hanna

Year 12, 2003

After Year 12 I took a year off and then did a Bachelor physiology but the focus of our research is skeletal muscle
of Science at USQ. I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to diseases including congenital muscle myopathies and
do with my degree until the final year when I got some malignant hyperthermia. My plan is to stay in Houston for
experience doing research in a lab and decided to apply to a couple of more years to complete my training before
do an Honours research project at ANU at the John Curtin moving back to Australia and continuing my research there.
School of Medical Research. I worked in a muscle research One of the perks of a career in research is the opportunity
lab that focused on the proteins in cardiac muscle that to travel – I’ve been able to travel around Australia, Europe
control how the heart contracts and relaxes. My Honours and now America for conferences. I’m trying to take
year was pretty full on but I really enjoyed the work so advantage of living in America to see as much as I can (New
extended my project into a PhD. The aim of my research Orleans is probably my favourite city to visit) but I also make
was to characterise the effects of some chemotherapeutic sure I head back to Australia once a year. I’m lucky I’ve
drugs on the proteins in the heart that control muscle been able to find a career that I really love and have had
contraction. These drugs are highly effective as a cancer great mentors at every stage of my career. Not to mention a
treatment but they cause heart failure as a side-effect very supportive family!
which limits how much a patient can receive and to whom
they can be given. My work is only a small piece of the
puzzle but hopefully other researchers will be able to use
our findings to increase the safety of these drugs. The PhD
took about four years – it was very challenging but I learnt
a lot and knew for sure that scientific research was what
I wanted to do for a career. Last year I was awarded the
Frank Fenner Medal at the John Curtin School of Medical
Research for this work. It was a huge surprise and a great
honour to go back to Canberra with my family and receive
the award.

As soon as my PhD was accepted I moved to America to
do my postdoctoral research at Baylor College of Medicine
in Houston. The lab I’m in now also works on muscle

PAPGAEGE34084

CONNECTING WITH
PAST STUDENT

Kirstie Stevens

2008 - 2012

Ihave often reflected on my time at St Ursula’s College as Day Saints, AKA Mormons) and wherever we go in the
a student since I’ve graduated and I think to myself how world the church is the same, so I had people like family
grateful I am to have gone to such a wonderful school. who helped me with lots of things, it was great to have
that network.
Since graduating in 2012 I have done many things. Firstly I
worked at TGS as a learn-to-swim teacher, and then went The Middle East is amazing! Such a different culture, I loved
on to work in an early childhood centre completing my it so much and I learnt so much as well!!
Certificate III in that department.
After returning home from Abu Dhabi in July 2015 I had
After a year of working and studying, I decided I wasn’t decided that I would like to serve a voluntary 18 month
really enjoying myself as much as I had hoped and so I mission for my church, in which case I needed to save up
applied for a nannying position at Palm Beach (Gold Coast). $8,000 in order to do so. I immediately got a job (living at
This was a wonderful family. Straight away I became like home again to save) at Wendland Olives and Fine Foods in
part of their family, working only three days a week looking Toowoomba to save and prepare for this next big adventure
after one child (a girl called Coco, aged 5). I would take in my life. In January of 2016 I received my assignment to
her to school and pick her up, do homework etc in the labor in the Washington DC North Mission! I am so excited
evenings, and then pick up her mum from work, as her and will be leaving at the end of June. I have been working
father worked away most of the time. I had a wonderful very hard at Wendlands and saving as much money as I
seven months there, living right on the beach, having lots possibly could. I ended up saving $10,000 in that period of
of fun with many friends I had down that way from church. time that will all go with me towards my mission in DC.
I created a beautiful bond with Coco and her mother
Emma, and to this day we are still close. I go down and stay So that is where I am as I write this. I have two months
with them now and then- it’s lovely. until I leave so I am preparing myself spiritually and
physically. My plans for after I complete the 18 months
After this nanny job ended, I was offered a nanny job in are to go to University at BYU in Utah, USA to study child
Abu Dhabi (UAE) with some Australian ex-pats. My job psychology. I am extremely passionate about working with
didn’t start for a few months, so on the way over I travelled children. I love them and I also want to make a difference
around the United States, staying with friends and family in this world and help as many children as I can in third
along the way. world countries who are struggling through so much.

I spent seven months in Abu Dhabi and again was mail Us
extremely blessed to have such a close relationship with E
the family that I nannied for; I literally just felt like their
niece. It was great. They took me travelling a lot on family
holidays to Oman, Dubai and Sharjah, and then on my own
I travelled to Cyprus and Sri Lanka with an American friend.

I was really fortunate to have my church in Abu Dhabi (The
church I belong to is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-

CONNECTING WITH
PAST STUDENT

Emily Harper

nee Streeten 1996

While it’s hard to believe that our 20 year reunion is come. Looking to the immediate future now and what the
fast approaching (8th October this year), the event rest of the year has in store for me, will no doubt revolve
has certainly brought back a flood of wonderful memories around having a little one in the house again and of course
from school and reconnections with teachers and friends our very special school reunion, where I am looking forward
and reflection on the years that have passed. Here is a little to picking up where we left off 20 years ago!
about what I’ve been up to...
Paralympics
After graduating in 1996 I enrolled in my Bachelor of Early
Childhood Education degree at QUT. I studied hard at uni, CHAMPIONS
had my first baby during this time and graduated with
First Class Honours. I was very fortunate to be offered a We congratulate past students Katie Kelly (1993) and
teaching position at a wonderful kindergarten, C&K Rosalie Claire Keefer (2013) on winning medals at the Rio
Kindergarten in Brisbane, and 11 years on I am about to Paralympics.
have a break to welcome our second child into the world.
At school I was very interested in music and the Arts and Katie and her guide Michelle, won gold for Australia in
have continued to build on my skills in these areas and am the PT5 para-triathlon. Para-triathlon made its debut at
passionate about children in early childhood settings having these games- therefore Katie is the first gold medallist.
access to quality music and art experiences. In June this Katie, who is legally blind, came from behind in the
year, our kindy won a Leadership-in-Education award for swimming leg to power home in the final run.
being part of an art project held at the convention centre
last year, a project with a long term goal of a dedicated art Claire won bronze in the F41 Shot Put. Claire also
space/gallery solely for children’s art. It was so exciting to be finished seventh overall in the discus. Claire threw a
involved. personal best of 8.16m, which was a half metre further
than previous throws.
My family and I have had some wonderful adventures
travelling overseas over these years too. My favourite trip
was in 2011, when we undertook a big road trip travelling
from the west coast to the east coast of America, finishing
up in Woodstock. We loved that each part of the country
is so different, from the food, to the landscape, and we
would love to explore more one day.

A couple of years ago we started volunteering for an
organisation called ‘Aunties and Uncles’, an organisation
which links up mentors with disadvantaged or socially
isolated children. The boy who we mentor has really
become a part of our family and it has been a very
rewarding experience – I hope we’ll continue it for years to

PAGE 420

CONNECTING WITH

Heidi DredgePAST STUDENT

1995 - 1999

As a student at St Ursula’s I remember dreaming about communicate with the world. When Zia was just 8 months
my future and saying to my friends ‘One day, I’m going old she underwent surgery to receive a cochlear implant.
to write a book!’ The day her implant was switched-on was one of the best
days of our lives! Her eyes lit up at the sounds of our voices.
I had no idea what the book would be about. I loved Thanks to intensive coaching and speech therapy from the
reading fiction so perhaps it would be a novel? Or maybe Hear and Say Centre, Zia has progressed beautifully and
a work of scientific reference, as science was one of my now has listening and speaking skills that are advanced for
favourite subjects? Or maybe a travel guide, as I loved her age, even compared to normal-hearing kids. Together
studying geography, cultures and people? with her sister Cleo (born in 2013) the girls fill our house
with love, laughter and a fair dose of chaos!
So to be here now identifying myself as an author comes
with a great sense of satisfaction and surprise! I published Around the time of Zia’s cochlear surgery, I went searching
my first book late last year in a genre I never dreamed of… for children’s books about hearing loss and cochlear
a children’s picture book! implants as a way to teach Zia about her special ears. I
didn’t find many. My mum, knowing I always loved to
My journey to becoming an author has been a round- write, suggested I could write one myself. I started to
about one! Following my time at St Ursula’s I went on to dream up stories, characters and rhymes and soon came
study a dual degree in Business Management and Social up with the concept of a whole series of children’s books
Science in Brisbane, where I then started my career in – The Cochlear Kids. I felt there was so much that could be
Project Management in the field of Aid and Development. told about the incredible journey that children with hearing
I married my husband, Steve, in 2006 and together we loss and their families travel from diagnosis, surgery, and
moved to the United Arab Emirates to further our careers switch-on (activation of the implant), to the importance
and experience life abroad. We thoroughly enjoyed and fun of speech therapy, to making hearing devices part
our time in the Middle East but after four years there, of normal life, through to learning to advocate for oneself
we decided to move home to Brisbane when I became in the schoolyard. And so I set out to create a series of
pregnant with our first child. books featuring a range of different children (each one
a “Cochlear Kid”) to tell these stories in an entertaining,
We welcomed our daughter Zia into the world in 2011 and uplifting and informative way.
shortly after her birth found out that she was deaf. We
were shocked and despaired at this news and knew we
would do all we could to help our daughter to hear and

PAGE 41

The first book in the series – Liam the Superhero –
describes Liam’s hearing loss and how his cochlear
implants work, while being set against the backdrop of
his favourite pastime – pretending he is a superhero.
The book has become popular with deaf and normal-
hearing children alike, thanks to its rhyming stanzas,
bright colourful illustrations and uplifting message – that
we are all superheroes when we follow our hearts. It
has received critical acclaim and has sold to customers
around the world. The next book in the series – Zara at
the Zoo – is in production with more books in the series
to follow.

What started out as a bit of fun, creative writing for
my daughter has grown into a publishing opportunity
and a realisation of the dream I once had as a teenager.
Even though I never would have predicted that I would
become an author of children’s books, I am so grateful
for this amazing opportunity, and the round-about way
in which I got here!

The Cochlear Kids: Liam the Superhero is available
for sale from www.vividpublishing.com.au/liam
Stay up to date with The Cochlear Kids at
www.facebook.com/thecochlearkids
Heidi Dredge can be contacted at
[email protected]

CONNECTING WITH
PAST STUDENT

Erin Canavan

Year 12, 2012 As the winner, Erin will be presenting her paper alongside
high-profile education professionals at the ACE National
Congratulations to past student Erin Canavan on writing Conference - ‘Changes and challenges: The power of
the winning paper for the ACE/ASG Writing the Future education to build the world to which we aspire’ (26 &
Award. Erin hopes to be a voice for students with special 27 September, held in Sydney). She will also become a
needs who are often without a voice. published author in ACE publications.

Studying a Bachelor of Primary Education at USQ, Erin’s We congratulate Erin on her passion and success and we
paper was entitled “Changes and Challenges: Is our wish her all the best for her future in teaching.
Education System equipped to prepare students for a brave
new world?” Erin is hoping that her career of teaching in
special education will allow her to make a difference in the
lives of her students, particularly special needs students.

Erin said “When I was writing my submission, my aim
was to highlight the need for teachers to recognise the
contributions that students with special needs can make to
our society, and to encourage everyone to look beyond the
label and to really see who these students really are”.

“Winning this award has given me confidence in my
abilities not only as an educator, but also as a writer. It’s
such a privilege to be given this opportunity, and I want to
learn as much as I can from this experience”.

PAGE 442

HONOURING
PAST STUDENT

Professor Tess Cramond AO

ANAESTHETIST AND RESUSCITATION PIONEER

neé BROPHY 1940 - 1941

Teresa “Tess” was a student at St Ursula’s College, In the 60s, Tess was instrumental in improving and
Toowoomba from 1940–1941. Though only a student here changing rescue and resuscitation techniques in
for 2 years, Tess formed a strong bond with the Ursuline Queensland - these are still used today. She also helped
sisters and the College throughout the following years found the Australian Resuscitation Council.
maintaining an interest in people and events .Career wise,
she pioneered many changes, especially for women, in the In 1978, she became the foundation Professor of
medical field, particularly in pain management, resuscitation Anaesthetics at the University of Queensland, holding this
techniques and anaesthetics. position until 1993.

Tess studied medicine at the University of Queensland and, She received many accolades in her illustrious career
in 1951, she completed her medical degree. In 1955 she including the following –
travelled to England to train in advanced Anaesthetics.
• Order of the British Empire (OBE)
In 1957 she took a position in neurosurgery at the Royal
Brisbane Hospital. Becoming interested in pain relief after • Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)
a close friend’s death, she began the multi-disciplinary pain
clinic in 1967 and managed it for 47 years. She insisted • Advance Australia Award
on a multidisciplinary approach and also ensured that
everyone, in any financial situation, could access this clinic. • Red Cross Long Service Award
The unit was renamed in her honour in 2008.
• AMA Women in Medicine Award
Tess was the medical adviser to Surf Lifesaving Queensland
for 30 years. She also worked with the Queensland • Life membership of Surf Lifesaving , Queensland (first
Ambulance Service and served on the Electricity female recipient)
Commission’s Safety Board. A hands on person, Tess could
be seen supervising rescue and resuscitation up in a cherry Tess passed away on the 26th December 2015, in Brisbane.
picker, in the back of an ambulance, down cable pits and
behind switch boards. She was a consultant in resuscitation Teresa “Tess” Cramond is a noble and inspiring woman to
to the Royal Navy and the Australian Army Medical Corps all and we celebrate her achievements.
(rank of Colonel), was Dean of Faculty of Anaesthetics of
the Royal College of Surgeons and President of the AMA. Bensted, A 2016, ‘A professor of distinction’, Courier Mail, 23
January, pp. 89-89.

PAGE 453

CONNECTING WITH

Jeannie CarrPAST STUDENT

nee Naylor 1965 - 1968

Thank you for keeping me updated about the activities at St Ursula’s, Toowoomba.
I now am living back in the UK, in Surrey, for the foreseeable future.
I never forget St Ursula’s and the happy days I spent there from 1965-1968...almost 50 years
ago...where have the years gone?
I have enjoyed reading the magazines over the years but am now too far away, as I’m sure you
understand. There are 3 large Ursuline Schools in London- alas none near where I am living now
or have before.
I am still teaching, albeit part time (nearly 65). I now am a grandmother to 2 beautiful children -a
boy 22mths and girl 4 mths and, as Anna, one of my daughters, lives nearby, I am able to share in their developing lives.
I pray for the continued success of all pupils at Ursuline schools around the world that they may live the ethos of ‘Serviam”
in their lives. God Bless you all.

Farewell to...

EMILEE NICHOLS (Marketing Manager)

Emilee has been with us since mid-2014 and now she moves on to a new challenge as
the Marketing Manager for the Empire Theatres. We thank Emilee for her tireless work
with us, her gentle and patient manner, her ideas and enthusiasm and her willingness
to try new challenges. We wish Emilee well in her new position and look forward to
catching up with her in the future.

LIZ ANDREW (Accountant)

We would like to thank Liz Andrew for her enthusiasm, professionalism, humour
and level of detail that she was able to bring to the role of College Accountant
since January 2015. It is not only accounting acumen that is key to the success of
this role and the St Ursula’s Community has been fortunate to have someone like
Liz with excellent communication skills and a drive for innovation. We wish Liz well
as she furthers her accounting career in the role of Finance Manager within a large
Queensland company.

Welcome to...
HEIDI ROSE (Marketing Manager)
Greetings from the Marketing and Development Office,
It is with great pleasure that I introduce myself as the new Marketing and
Development Manager for the College. Having had more than 10 years experience in
schools, I am very much looking forward to meeting the St Ursula’s Community and
working together to create opportunities to develop the College and the students,
as well as build on existing relationships moving forward.
Please do not hesitate to contact me via email at [email protected] or
on (07) 4631 0856 if I can help you with anything at all.
I look forward to meeting you all soon.

PAGE 44

THE EVOLUTION OF... 1973

DESENZANO The nuns realised that Desenzano needed
expansion. 18 Rome Street was purchased
Boarding House and a Common Room was built to join it to
Desenzano at 16 Rome Street. Consequently,
Desenzano Boarding House was named after a village 16 Rome Street was then affectionately known
on the shores of Lake Garda in northern Italy. as Deso and 18 Rome Street as Zano. A tree
Desenzano was the birthplace, in about 1474, was planted on the front lawns of Zano in
of Saint Angela Merici. memory of Boarding Captain, Debbie Real,
Desenzano Boarding House consisted of two houses - who had died in a car accident.
Clio from 30 Rome Street and Nuzella from 18 Rome
Street. The College began planning for a new Boarding 1970s
House to be called Desenzano in the 1950s.

1957

16 Rome Street was
received as a gift
from relatives of one
of the nuns and sold
for removal. Clio was
moved to 16 Rome
Street and renamed
Desenzano.

1950s

1956 Deso (left) and Zano (right) at 16 Rome Street

The Ursuline nuns purchased Clio at Desenzano Boarding
30 Taylor Street which was initially House, where
owned by Robert and Sybil Hogarth,
who also owned Kerrielaw (having Bruddazzo Block is now.
bought Kerrielaw from Robert’s mother PAGE 45
in 1922). The Hogarths built Clio in
1922 to replace another home on the
allotment, also called Clio, that had
been destroyed by fire. In 1923 Clio
was sold to well-known Toowoomba
dentist, Thomas Andrew Margetts.
Thomas Margetts died in 1953 and the
property passed to Margett’s dental
nurse, Miss Hilda Maude Washbourne,
before it was purchased by the
Ursuline Nuns.

1994 2000s

Both houses were moved 2002
down Rome Street to 10
and 12 Rome Street to To make way for the Salo Centre project,
make way for Brudazzo Desenzano Boarding House was sold for removal.
Block. Debbie Real’s tree Deso went to Mt Meed and Zano to
was transplanted into 31 Reis Road, Highfields.
Brudazzo courtyard and
Deso was elevated to
allow for a common room
underneath.

1990s

2016

Earlier this year, Zano
was put up for auction
out at Highfields.
For a glimpse of the
beautiful renovations
of this much-loved
building, scan the
QR code.

PPAAGGEE4468

85PAST COLLEGE P R I N C I PA L S

Mother Kevin Williams osu Mother Xavier Griffin osu Sister Maureen Keogh osu Sister Mary Ryan osu
1969 - 1973
1932 - 1955 1956 - 1965 1966 - 1969

Sister Maree Byron osu Sister Janet M. Seale osu Sister Ruth Durick osu Sister Mary A.
1973 - 1978 1979 - 1984 1984 (Acting) Mackintosh osu

1985 - 1986

Sister Leone Pallisier osu Sister Sue Flood osu Mrs Ann Marie Pawsey
1987 - 1994 1994 - 2005 2005 - Present

PAGE 47

We Remember...

We offer our condolences to any family in our community who has suffered the loss of a
loved one this year. We keep you in our prayers and thoughts.

We remember the Pauli family, on the death of their husband and father, Christopher. (Breanna, Year 12 2013 and Kirrily,
Year 12 2016).

We offer our prayers to Irene Batzloff (past staff member) and her daughter Sandra Searston (current staff member) on the
loss of their husband and father, Lester.

Helen Marie Tunny (nee Logan), who was a student at the school, completing Year 10 in 1948, died on 8 May 2015. She
maintained a very close interest in the school and very much enjoyed reading of the changes. Helen was an accomplished
violinist and pianist, and attributes her love of music to the Ursuline nuns and their influence during her schooling.

Julie Leanne Beattie (nee Waite) passed away peacefully on 6th July 2016, aged 55 years. Julie was the dearly loved
mother of past student Kelli-Anne (2015).

PAGE 4508