Winter 2013 - OLSH Bentleigh

Vol.5 No.1 Winter 2013
ISSN 1837-5316
Magazine of the Alumnae Association of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College, Bentleigh
e
EDUCATION IN THE OLSH TRADITION
CLASS OF 1962: HALF A CENTURY ON
SOMEONE WHO SHAPED ME
REUNIONS: WHATEVER HAPPENED TO…?
CLASS OF 2012: EXCELLENCE & ENTHUSIASM
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CONTENTS
WELCOME NOTE
2
CLASS OF 1962: HALF A CENTURY ON
3
FROM THE 1950S: SOMEONE WHO SHAPED ME
4-5
CLASS OF 2012: EXCELLENCE AND ENTHUSIASM
6
CLASS OF 1992: TWENTY YEARS ON
7
HEART WORK: AFRICA CALLING
8-9
FLAME GIRLS
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ALUMNAE NEWS
11
REUNIONS OF CLASSES OF 2011, 1991, 1971 AND 1967
12-13
ALUMNAE NEWS
14
CLASS OF 2002 REUNION: WHATEVER HAPPENED TO…?
15
EDUCATION IN THE OLSH TRADITION: THE FOUR PILLARS
16
Welcome note
Dear Alumnae Family
It was in 1938, that the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred
Heart opened Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College Bentleigh
in order to educate young women in south east Melbourne.
The actual beginnings were as a commercial college for four
students in one room of St Paul’s Church. Numbers grew, so it
subsequently moved to the cottage in Robert Street which had
been the original convent.
The above excerpt from the writings within the College archives
speaks of the beginnings of our College. This year we are
privileged to celebrate the 75th anniversary of our foundation.
The vision, commitment and dedication of the OLSH sisters
who were trail blazers in the provision of Catholic education for
young women is the story of our journey here at Bentleigh. In
this 75th year we give thanks for the lives of so many who have
followed the same journey.
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The story of OLSH College is our story – such is the blessing of
being touched by our spirit... the spirit where the heart within is
loved into life…with others, by others and for others!
Regnet Christus!
May Christ Reign
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart pray for us.
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Publisher: Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College, Bentleigh
***
Front cover: Paula Dolezal, class of 2012, photographed in 2010.
***
Submissions to FLAME:
Alumnae contributions of photos and articles for FLAME are welcome.
However, please be aware that due to space and time constraints not all
articles may be published.
Any photos sent in must be at least 1MB in size or 300dpi resolution.
The names of the people in the picture should also be included. With
group photos, please supply the names from the back row first, from
left to right. Maiden names should be used and if the photo is about an
event, it is helpful to include the locality, the date and the purpose of the
gathering.
Photos can be emailed or mailed. If you are mailing any photos, please
be sure to include your address if you would like the photo/s returned.
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***
Your say:
If you have some news to share or just want to get in touch, contact
Ms Shane O’Neil, Alumnae Secretary.
Tel: 03 8520 9263 Email: [email protected]
For the latest news about the Alumnae Association at OLSH College, go
to the College website at http://www.olsh.vic.au, then select the “School
Community” button at the top of the home page and follow the prompt
to “Alumnae”.
***
Disclaimer:
Anne O’Loughlin
College Principal
OLSH
can do
Donations to the Flame Scholarship Fund:
We gratefully thank Maggie (Dalton) Sleep, 1962, and Linda
(Henderson) Bruce, 1966, for their generous donations to the
Fund earlier this year.
In addition, members of the Class of 1972 and the Class of
1961 took up collections at their recent reunions for which we
also express our gratitude.
Donations go towards supporting a Year 10 girl in her final two
years of education at the College and are fully tax deductible.
See the back of the address cover sheet for information about
how you too can make a difference.
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All care has been taken to verify the correctness of the information provided in this
publication before going to print. However, we apologise if any inadvertent errors
have occurred. If you would like to reproduce any of the material in FLAME, please
contact the College.
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"It was a wonderful day but too short."
Margaret (Brunton) Ellis
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CLASS OF 1962
HALF A CENTURY ON
It was 50 years in the making but on Saturday 13 October 2012, 17 friends
from the class of 1962 finally had their first “official” reunion at Milanos in
Brighton.
After so many years of not being in touch, the organisers Marcia (Bretherton)
Clohesy, Margaret (Brunton) Ellis and Erika (Zimmerman) Somogyi had their
work cut out for them in trying to contact all their past classmates.
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So they went back to basics. A few months before the reunion, the three came
into the College and painstakingly went through the old enrolment registers
looking for familiar names. In the end, a list was drawn up of 25 or so names
and then the search was on to locate as many people as possible.
Some came from as far away as Darwin and New Zealand, and from as
close as Bentleigh East. There were many hugs and much looking at old
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Back row (L-R): Sr Margaret Fahey fdnsc, Maggie (Dalton) Sleep, Margaret (McMahon) Leeds, Dianne (Russell) Milner, Sr Carmel McCormick
rsm, Margaret (Brunton) Ellis, Pauline (Conroy) Sutherland, Josephine Fazio, Margarette (Payens) Looney, Carol (Harrower) Weisner. Front row:
Marcia (Bretherton) Clohesy, Erika (Zimmerman) Somogyi, Sr Elizabeth (Glenyce) Little fdnsc, Mary (Moore) Tadman, Lynette (Tooher) Emons,
Jeanette (Bryant) Joseph, Kerry (Hall) Larkin.
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A most memorable occasion,
a job well done by you all. I truly
enjoyed catching up with all my
"old" classmates again after
some 50+ years.
Jo Fazio
photos and even autograph books, as well as hilarity about how much
everyone had changed, and yet how really people were still the same.
The group was touched that the College Principal, Anne O’Loughlin, was
able to attend. She presented each alumna with a statue of Our Lady made
from the volcanic ash left behind by the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the
Philippines in 1991. These statutes are hand carved by the local people
as a result of an initiative by the OLSH sisters to help those affected by the
eruption find a new livelihood.
The afternoon was enlivened by wonderful lucky ticket prizes donated by
Margaret, and several women were thrilled to receive a gift such as a lovely
set of Royal Doulton wine glasses and other pretty things. The College was
also pleased to receive its own gift in the form of a $50 donation from the
group to the Flame Scholarship Fund.
Fifty years is a significant milestone to celebrate and after half a century there
was evidence of deep affection within the group. It was especially poignant
that two of the women attending had lost their mothers just prior to the
reunion and no doubt appreciated the closeness and support of women
who had known their parents.
It was a great day for us and most of the girls I had not seen since
1960 so it was very special.
Carmel McCormick
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FROM THE 1950s
SOMEONE WHO SHAPED ME
Janice
Janice
Recently two alumnae independently sent in memoirs of OLSH sisters who had an
important impact upon them. Janice Trenair (formerly Trencher) is from the Class
of 1958 and Christina Corcoran (now Anthony) is a 1961 alumna. Janice wrote her
story for ABC Radio’s “Open” program and Christina was inspired by a task in a
creative writing class to think of Sr Paschal, her music teacher.
A person who shaped my life is a nun. Not one
nun though but several. A conglomerate in fact of
the many nuns who taught me.
She would wear a habit with heart-shaped
wimple. This nun would give the message that
girls or women can do anything by her own
strong presence as a single woman with a
university education. But she would also teach
that a religious vocation to be the bride of Christ
is the highest one could attain, and not too far
below that, Catholic wifehood and motherhood.
I was would be better suited to nursing
than the teaching I went into, without ever
really mastering the skill of crowd control
needed. There would not be too many other
occupations for an educated girl to choose
from in those times. She would also have the
reverence for higher education that I absorbed
without putting it to good use until in my 30's.
She would have the enduring spirituality that
fed on quiet contemplation, music and ritual
which was quite apart from the teaching
of religious beliefs she also instilled, and
that would survive after some beliefs were
discarded.
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Thus she would have Sr Maddalena's love of
science and geography, the loud but dignified
presence of Sr Florine and Mother Giovanni, the
gentleness of Sr Catherine and the sewing skills
and perfectionism of Sr Dominic. She would have
the love of music of Sr Paschal who taught me
piano.
Christina
It was in defiance of her values that I would
study dance but only as an after-hours activity.
Art was eventually taught on a Saturday
morning when I was in senior classes so I was
too busy to benefit. There was no drama at all
though elocution was taught at least in primary
school by a visiting lay teacher.
So the arts that were to shape my life were
not taught by the teachers who helped shape
me. Yet I was given the educational foundation
for future studies and the example of strong
women for which I am ever grateful.
And she might even have a bit of the dignified
and independent spinsterhood of brilliant and
inspiring lay teacher of English literature, Miss
Dickson. Alas she wouldn't give me confidence
in mathematics; she would leave it to stuttering
Mr D, to quash any vestiges of that.
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She would have the intuition and perception
of those nuns who saw the fragile teenager
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Sr Florine
Sr Paschal
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Sr Lucia
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Sr Giovanni
Sr Maddalena
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Christina
Our Creative Writing class assignment for the
day was to write a letter to someone who you
would like to write to you.
all my fond memories to her and to let her
know that I felt very blessed to have her as my
teacher and my friend.
My mind immediately went to my much loved
music teacher, Sister Paschal. So many special
memories came up of all the time we shared
during my music lessons in the Robert Street
house. Her kindness, friendship, support and
unfailing faith that I would do well, emanated
in results that I never believed I could achieve.
Before each exam Sister Paschal would place
a picture of Our Lady behind the piano which,
combined with the gentle touch of her hand on
my shoulder as she left the room, calmed my
nerves and trembling hands.
Three weeks later, I glanced down at an
envelope I’d taken from my letter box. On
noticing the return address as the Sydney
OLSH convent, my eyes welled up with tears.
I just hugged the envelope for some time as
though I was hugging her.
Some years ago, I tried to find Sister Paschal
and found that she was at St Peters in East
Bentleigh. Due to a health issue, I didn’t get to
pay the visit I intended.
After writing my “in class” letter, Sister Paschal
frequently came to mind, so much so that I
rang the Bentleigh convent and they kindly
provided me with her address in NSW. It was
a joy and a privilege to put down in a real letter
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Sister Paschal wrote a beautiful letter to me
which I will treasure always. But there was
more to come. In her letter, she mentioned
the VCE results achieved by OLSH Bentleigh,
which led me to look at the college website.
During this process I stumbled onto the
Alumnae page and there looking back at me
was a photo of some of my class mates. It
was another ‘heart tug’ moment. I hope and
pray that I do get the opportunity to see my old
school friends once again.
What a wonderful unexpected journey, from
writing a letter in class to writing this insight into
the paths taken since.
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OLSH College Choir performing at St Catherine’s, Moorabbin, 1958. Sr Paschal said this photo “brought back the
happiest of memories of my time at Bentleigh which I will always cherish”. Back row (L-R): Pat Thorburn, Marie Gobi,
Renate Marek, Loretta Young, Pat Kelleher, Helen Stroud, Margaret Tonkin, Janice Trencher, Margaret Tynan. Centre
row: Christina Corcoran, Mary Connell, Maria Lazzaro, Noelene Mulavin, Marie Welsh, Carol Nelson, Margaret Breen.
Front row: Marcia Bretherton, Sheila Andrew, Bernadette Brennan, Barbara Bretherton, Kaye Condon.
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Editor’s note: In April, after several decades, Christina was re-connected with her 1961 classmates at
their annual luncheon catch up. She said, "The day was worth gold to me."
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CLASS OF 2012
EXCELLENCE AND ENTHUSIASM
Left to right: High achievers: Sarah Fitzgerald, Annie Aldridge,
Victoria Cleary, Jasmine Ashkar, Lisa Healy, Paula Dolezal, Zoe
Gillett, Katrina Antoniou, Trish D’Lima, Tess McCaffrey, Lisa Peres.
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Students from the 2012 Year 12 class combined high academic results
with high spirits at the end of their final year at the College.
Dux of the College, Annie Aldridge who was also co-College Captain,
achieved an ATAR score of 97.95. She was one of the 11 students who
received an ATAR of 90 or above. In total, 45 students achieved 70 or
above with 30 of these students scoring 80 or more.
A special VCE Excellence Awards ceremony was held at a whole school
assembly on Wednesday 20 February to congratulate and acknowledge
the hard work and commitment of these high achievers.
which it is, then every girl in front of me in this hall is capable of greatness,
not just in Year 12 but in life itself for this is the simple recipe of success that I
have come to know.”
Annie completed her address by raising themes echoing those made by
Rebecca Chijioke in her speech at the 2012 Valedictory Dinner at Merrimu
in October 2012: the importance of teachers and friends. “Two of the best
resources in this school are your teachers and each other.”
Victoria Cleary also addressed the assembly about the important matter
of balancing school work with part time jobs, sporting engagements and
social activities.
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Annie began her address to the assembly by quoting the words of Colin
Powell, the former four-star US Army general and first African American to
serve as the United States Secretary of State: “A dream doesn’t become
reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.”
She went on to explain why she believes that success is possible
for everyone through sheer determination with a clear goal in mind,
persistence even after failure, and diligence.
“OLSH’s motto that OLSH girls can do anything is a sound one. A successful
Year 12 year is not just for the intelligent. It is for the strong-minded. Those
who will not give up and sprint hard until the final second. If this is the case,
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Her first point was about the necessity of having a great support system
involving family, friends and teachers. In explaining why teachers were
such valuable resources she said: “Remember that teachers are there to
help you, they want to help you, and countless questions give them joy
not pain! She finished her speech by saying: "As Ms O’Loughlin always
says: ‘We believe! We achieve!' "
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To our teachers: the teachers who have taught us this year as
well as the teachers who have been with us since year 7. You all
have instilled in us knowledge far greater than what we’d see in
our text books.
From all you, we have learned the act of perseverance when
we come across difficult obstacles. We’ve learned that our
success is directly proportional to the amount of effort we
put into everything that we do.That failure is just a learning
experience that we must acknowledge, accept and utilise to
better ourselves.
Most important, you all have believed in us when at times we
did not believe in ourselves. When we said we wanted to quit,
you told us to keep going. When we said that there is no way
we could ever do well, you told us swallow our self-doubts and
realise that our abilities will lead us to greatness and for this we
say “thank you”.
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Rebecca Chijioke Year 12, 2012 Valedictory Dinner
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“I had such a great time at the reunion. Really glad I made the effort to go down.”
Donna (Stone) Jones
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TWENTY YEARS ON
CLASS OF 1992 REUNION
It was a combined effort by five friends that
saw nearly 40 women from the class of 1992
gather at Mentone Hotel on Saturday 13
October, 2012.
The organising group of Rheika
(Selvarajoo) Tompkins, Sally Haddow, Sally
(Giannopoulos) Calder, Rachael (Siebel)
Powers and Jenny O’Connor was very
happy with the turn up which also included
partners and teachers. Three women came
from interstate: Belinda (Pimm) Sundaraj
and Anastasia Barros, both from Sydney,
and Joanne (Le Mercier) Benoit from the
Gold Coast.
Girls paid $25 in advance using TryBooking,
a free do-it-yourself event management
system that easily enables organisers to
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create, manage and publish events on the
Internet where people can book and pay for
an event.
The cost included the venue hire, finger food
and a couple of complimentary drinks and
as you can see from the photos, a good time
was had by all. Looking at the memory board
and copies of the 1992 College magazine
were especially popular activities.
Three teachers attended: Louise (Chaplin)
Brock, Marina Coletti (also a 1979 alumna)
and Mark Bannister who drove all the way
from Yackandandah. Also from far away
Yackandandah was Donna (Stone) Jones,
who travelled down by train for five hours
with baby Lenny who was one of the stars of
the reunion.
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HEART WORK
AFRICA CALLING
More stories of alumnae volunteering on OLSH missions, this time in South
Africa. Carmel Lawry from the class of 1977 worked at the Holy Family Care
Centre first for six months in 2010, and then in July 2012 returned from a 12
month placement. Jessica Rafferty from the class of 2004 spent nearly four
months from May 2012 onwards working in community outreach. Carmel and
Jess used to meet up on Friday nights in Tzaneen where Jess was based to
do their weekly shopping.
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Showing the love: Carmel with some of her charges at Holy Family.
Carmel says:
I recently had the privilege of volunteering in
South Africa with a very dedicated team of
OLSH sisters at the Holy Family Care Centre
– a residential home for children located in
Ofcolaco in the Catholic Diocese in Tzaneen in
South Africa.
When the HIV/AIDs crisis hit South Africa, many
orphaned children suffering from the disease
had no one to care for them. The home was
established to meet this need and it now
cares for 70 orphaned, abused or neglected
children, who often arrive malnourished and
traumatised. Holy Family is situated in a very
poor and deprived rural area in the Limpopo
Province in the north of the country.
My background is in aged care nursing so I
was completely out of my comfort zone being
responsible for 70 children’s health care needs.
Most days were taken up with administering
the anti-retroviral treatment to the children,
escorting them to a variety of clinics: hospital,
AIDS, TB and immunisation, as well as
providing general care for everyday illnesses.
The days could be very busy but never boring.
Volunteers play an important role in the
exchange of skills – focusing on community
development not just giving aid. I trained local
people and by the time I left, a local woman
was able to take over looking after the children.
The children’s greatest need is for
compassionate love and although there were
sad times, Holy Family home is a blessed place
where every child is loved and protected. There
was a lot of singing, dancing, laughing, playing
and learning. The experience has certainly
enriched my life and I hope I have made a small
contribution to the children’s lives.
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My 12 month placement was arranged
by Palms Australia, an organisation that
recruits, prepares, sends and supports skilled
volunteers to reduce global poverty throughout
many countries. www.palms.org.au.
Mission with vision (L-R): Sr Christine Martin
addressing a Graduation Day at the Skills' Centre in
Tzaneen where young orphaned women are helped to
learn skills to return to their village and begin their own
cottage industry; Sr Lee Davison, a trained nurse, is
seen here in a clinic for those suffering from the HIV/
AIDS virus; and Sr Merrilyn Lee with some of the young
girls in the sisters’ home of safety.
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“Jess and Carmel were of great benefit and a credit to themselves, their families and the OLSH spirit.”
OLSH Sisters
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Jessica says:
Following graduation from OLSH Bentleigh in 2004, I went on
to study a Bachelor of Health Science, Paramedics, and then
a Masters in Public Health. Throughout my life I have dreamt
of aid work in Africa and so, after completing a few years in
the workforce, I decided to follow this lifelong dream.
I very much believe in the message of the Chinese proverb:
"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man
how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." With this in mind,
I researched commercial volunteer projects. While I found
many, I struggled to find a grass roots program I believed was
beneficial and sustainable.
It was after many unsuccessful attempts that I decided to be
more creative with my Google searches. I reached out to the
OLSH sisters through an email address I found online, and
then everything fell into place. With my backpack and a lot of
enthusiasm, I arrived in South Africa in May 2012 to work in a
community outreach placement.
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To the surprise of many, including myself, I found myself
overseeing a sewing skills centre! In this program, orphan and
vulnerable young women who have had limited education
and employment opportunities are taught machine sewing
as a stepping stone before being assisted to set up and run
a small sewing business. As part of this project, I was able
to develop a teaching manual for Basic Computer Skills and
another for tips on Financial Management. I also very much
enjoyed the outreach program visiting young people in the
village offering social and practical support.
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My experiences in South Africa have been life-changing and
I am truly honoured to have been given the opportunity to
experience African culture. I have been privileged to have
been welcomed into the South African OLSH community,
the homes and families of wonderful people and the local
community in Tzaneen (they knew me by name at a few of
the shops that I frequented almost daily). I even began to
learn the local African languages, Sotho and Afrikaans.
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OLSH OVERSEAScan
AID FUND
According to the sisters, Jess became a ‘Jill of all trades’. As well as
giving a hand to build a shed, she helped with the church fete where
the sewing centre sold their goods and she was also very happy to
assist with soccer skills.
I take this opportunity to thank the OLSH sisters for allowing
me the opportunity to visit them in South Africa, with special
thanks to the three Australian missionary sisters: Merrilyn Lee,
Lee Davison and Christine Martin. Now that I am back, I miss
Africa more and more each day!
The work of the OLSH sisters in overseas missions is assisted by the OLSH
Overseas Aid Fund founded in 1987.
The objective of this fund is to encourage and promote self-help programs which aim
to improve people’s general standard of living and help establish for the local people a
life-style more worthy of their human dignity.
You can find out more and make a donation via http://www.olshoverseasaid.org
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FLAME GIRLS
Lisa-Maria (Johnstone)
La Porte, 2004
Currently working in Marketing &
Communications at WorkSafe Victoria,
Lisa’s role involves stakeholder
engagement, strategic communication,
advertising, developing and
implementing marketing campaigns
and event management. Her past
experience includes working as
an event coordinator at WorkSafe
and as a marketing assistant for a
FMCG pharmaceutical company. She
completed a Bachelor of Business
(Marketing) at Swinburne University
and also undertook a three month
Marketing/Operations internship with a
tourism company in Queensland during
this time. Outside work, Lisa and her
husband Jason share a love of travel
and they are lucky to make this a reality
with Jason working for Emirates.
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Alicia (McConalogue) Cambridge, 1991
Having moved house 39 times in as
many years, organisation is fundamental
to Alicia’s sanity. Since leaving OLSH,
she has had a number of interesting and
challenging jobs, not least when she was
an executive assistant with the Reuters
news service in London, a fast and
furious place to work. However, Alicia is
convinced that her current occupation as
full time wife and mother to four children
is her most demanding assignment yet
as she is “PA to five people”. Having
amassed so many management
survival skills over the years, Alicia has
decided there is a market for her to help
others. With a friend, she has set up a
home assistance business called The
Organisers.
Susanna (Molino) Quinn, 1992
Carmel (Parry) Barnes, 1970
Determination, discipline and values are
keynotes of Carmel’s career in the Navy.
This began in 1972 when she enrolled
as an officer cadet at HMAS Cerberus.
She worked full time for 35 years retiring
as Commander Barnes RANR in 2007
but is still in the Navy’s Active Reserves.
Carmel’s last position was as Director of
Navy Organisational Culture responsible
for updating, promulgating and educating
in the Navy’s core values. In 2005, she
was appointed as Episcopal Deputy to
Bishop Max Davis, who ministers to the
Australian Defence Forces. Carmel has
been married to Steve for 38 years. They
have five children who live around Australia
as well as overseas, providing plenty of
opportunity for travel.
Working as a flight attendant with Virgin
was just the grounding experience
Susanna found she needed after being
employed as a social worker at the
Alfred Hospital’s trauma unit. Susanna
has been committed to social work
from as far back as Year 10 when
she did work experience at Ozanam
House. She is now employed by the
Office of Public Prosecutions to work
with victims of crime, bereaved families
and those affected by sexual assaults.
Susanna credits her sanity to having a
good “off” switch which she developed
working with Virgin, especially as a cabin
manager for three of her six years there.
Recently married to Craig Quinn, a panel
shop manager, she enjoys the practical
challenges of home renovations.
Saraid Mitten,1999
Donna (Stone) Jones, 1992
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Since 2007, Saraid has been working
at Tract Consultants, a multi-disciplinary
firm of town planners, urban designers
and landscape architects located in
Richmond. Now a senior town planner,
in 2003 she graduated from the
University of Melbourne with Honours
(Bachelor of Urban Planning and Design)
and began work at the City of Port
Phillip before heading over to London
to gain valuable international experience
as a strategic town planner. Saraid has
a keen professional interest in largescale urban renewal projects, strategic
planning and urban design. Outside
work, Saraid is club secretary and proud
captain of the Albert Park Soccer Club
women’s team, a keen scuba diver and
member of the Victorian Racing Club.
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No moss on this rolling Stone. After
leaving OLSH, Donna completed a
Bachelor of Applied Science (Parks,
Recreation and Heritage) at Charles
Sturt University in Albury, where she
also met her husband Nigel Jones.
She branched off into research into
threatened species followed by work
on private land conservation for the
Victorian government’s Land for Wildlife
program. But she says she left all of that
behind her when she had kids. Deciding
she wanted to keep moving, Donna then
trained as a gymnastics coach, a job
she loves. Donna is a full time mum now
to Finbar, 8; Maeve, 5 and Lenny, 12
months, which involves mental, physical
and emotional gymnastics all the time.
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FLAME — Winter 2013
Flame
Our OLSH alumna often make news for all sorts of reasons.
Here’s a sampling of recent appearances.
Alumnae News
Spurti D’souza,
2007
In late 2012, Spurti
received a Dean’s
Honour award from
Monash University
for her exceptional
achievement
in her Honours
Degree of Bachelor
of Business and Commerce. Her academic
performance was in the top 2% of her course.
Last year, Spurti moved to Canberra to begin
work at the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)
as part of the Graduate Development Program.
She currently conducts qualitative research into
respondent behavior for the Data Collection
Methodology Section.
Chelsea (Kelly)
Thomas, 2000
I Heart bargains
is the name of a
fashion web site
Chelsea started
while on maternity
leave with her first
child, Jude. On 4
February 2013,
Chelsea’s story was featured in The Age “My
Small Business” section with the title “Landing
on your feet after taking a leap of faith”.
What started as a blog launched in September
2012 to her mother’s group quickly turned into
a retail hub. I Heart Bargains not only displays
clothes and fashion accessories priced under
$100, but also allows people to click links
that take them to where the products are sold
online.
Even in her high school years, Chelsea was
known for trawling the Bentleigh op shops with
her grandmother, Joan, who has been her main
source of inspiration. Joan passed away two
years ago and Chelsea says her Nanna would
be extremely proud that the shopping prowess
and skills they shared to hunt down a bargain
has now turned into Chelsea’s full time job.
Chelsea and her sister, Sharni Kelly, 2001,
are still very connected with the local area.
Her youngest sister, Chloe Lewis is currently
completing Year 11 at OLSH.
rls
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defying the odds and not letting a little thing like
disability get in the way of living life to the utmost
was very well received.
Liz is the founder of The Self Centre which exists
to help teenagers know themselves better and
work out how to nurture a happy and fulfilling
understanding of who they are, how they study
and how they interact with others.
Melina (Bagnato)
Gianuzzi, 1998
The mercurial
Melina appears to
be everywhere at
the moment. As
well as running
her own fashion
business, Style
Me Over, she has appeared on the top-rating
cooking show, My Kitchen Rules, and recently
hosted the Logies’ night of nights. Melina
hopes to continue her passion of helping
women with their confidence and style by
pursuing a career in the media and having her
own segment or style show one day.
“It’s absolutely crazy at the moment between
juggling being a mum, running a business and
MKR but I love it....I operate my best under
pressure and on full throttle.”
VALE
Elizabeth Eugenie
(Dalton) Stephens, 1954
Born on 23 September 1936, Elizabeth
was the seventh child in a family of 14
children. After her primary education at
St Kevin’s in Ormond, Elizabeth came to
OLSH in 1950, together with Cecily, her
younger sister. Catherine and Margaret
Mary followed them shortly afterwards.
Now Elise and Amelia Sutherland,
Elizabeth’s great nieces, have joined the
school community at Bentleigh. Elizabeth
was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2001,
but lost the battle with it on 18 January
2013. May she rest in peace.
OLSH girls
can do anything!
Jacqueline Merrey,
2008
Inspired by a 2007
OLSH trip to the
Kiribati mission,
Jacky is now
preparing to leave
Australia in July
to travel to the
Marshall Islands to
work for a year as
a volunteer teacher with WorldTeach, a nonprofit organization.
She needs to raise $6000 for expenses
and wants to also be able to take additional
material supports for the Marshallese
community with her. As well as completing her
Bachelor of Education, Jacky works at Yooralla
in disability support for the physically or
intellectually disabled. Since being accepted by
WorldTeach, she has increased her workload
to raise funds.
If you can assist Jacky, please contact her by
phone 0433 673 851 or [email protected].
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Liz North, 2000
A true example
of the mantra:
“OLSH girls can
do anything!” is
Liz North, 2000
College Captain.
Liz came back
to school on 20
February 2013
to speak with the Issoudun (Year 9) girls about
her inspiring story growing up with a physical
disability and how to build self-confidence.
Her story about dealing with spina bifida was
extremely captivating and her message about
Beverley (Brazel) Smith, 1957
Born 23 September 1940, Beverley
attended OLSH from 1952-1956, along with
sister Maureena, class of 1961. Beverley
was a first cousin to Maureen Brazel (Sister
Mary Brian) and also her sister Margaret.
Beverley’s devoted husband, John Xavier
Smith, her four superb sons,
12 grandchildren, and huge number of
friends will miss her humour, wit, wisdom
and love. Her passing has changed
people's lives just as did her living. Beverley
died on 9 December 2012.
girls can do anything!
OLSH girls can
FLAME —Winter 2013
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AFTER 21 YEARS:
CLASS OF 1991 REUNION
Girls from the class of 1991 had a relaxing get-together at the Mt Erica
Hotel, Prahran, on Caulfield Cup Day evening 2012.
Alicia, Amanda, Jenny (Joseph), Jessica, Leanne, Lynda, Maria, Megan,
Michelle, Sabine, Sonia and Ulricka enjoyed the casual catch up – many
not having been in touch since leaving OLSH 21 years ago.
The group shared their stories of the past two decades and it was
agreed that while people hadn’t changed all that much, it was interesting
to see the different directions they had chosen.
The girls will continue to catch up in Melbourne on the night of Caulfield
Cup Day and have started a Facebook page –
http://www.facebook.com/groups/OLSHclassof1991/
CLASS OF 1971:
FAITHFUL AT THE FORESTERS
Every year on the last Saturday in February, women from the class
of 1971 gather for their annual reunion at the Foresters Arms
Hotel in Oakleigh.
OLSH girls
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This year on 23 February, the group welcomed two new faces,
Teresa (Gaynor) Dunkinson and Elizabeth Cavanagh.
Also attending after missing a couple of years due to other
commitments, were Valerie (Bennett) Melder, Bernadette (Oakley)
Johnson and Jenny (Mahoney) Boyle. It was good to catch up
with everyone.
SH girls can do anything!
Back row (L-R): Annette (Rowe) Lloyd, Janine (Connors) Naylor, Bernadette
(Oakley) Johnson, Jenny (Mahoney) Boyle, Julie (O’Toole) Reid. Front row:
Teresa (Gaynor) Dunkinson, Maree (Healy) Winduss, Elizabeth Cavanagh,
Valerie (Bennett) Melder, Marg (Smith) Elgar, Barbara (Finn) Bux.
CLASS OF 1967:
ANNUAL CATCH UP
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For the last 45 plus years, a group of classmates from
1967 has been catching up for an annual Christmas
lunch which is held on a rotating basis at a different
home each year.
Last year, members of the class celebrated their
friendship on 2 December 2012 at the Rosebud home
of Margaret (O’Neill) McKinnon.
If you’d like to come along next year, please contact me on
[email protected] or call me on 03 5998 2057. I’d love to
hear from you.
Margaret (Smith) Elgar
OLSH
can do
If you would like to attend the next reunion, please
contact Kathleen Appleton on 03 9870 2649. The
reunion is usually held on the first weekend of
December on Saturday or Sunday (whichever suits the
hosting person).
Kathleen (O’Brien) Appleton
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FLAME — Winter 2013
Flame
FIRST YEAR OUT
CLASS OF 2011 REUNION
Amber’s Lounge at the local Boundary Hotel was the venue for the class
of 2011’s first year out reunion on Wednesday 10 October 2012.
It was a happy night for those who were able to attend with finger food,
a choice of two cocktails and the use of a juke box, not to mention
friends some hadn’t seen since the last school day in October 2011.
Six teachers came along to catch up on all the news. They were
Bernadette Anderson, Dina Oro, Maureen Malone, Pauline Canty, Phil
Cassell and Kellie Watson. Others sent their apologies.
There were lucky ticket prizes of jewellery kindly
donated by Roza and Patrick Warren, owners
of The Present Cupboard and parents of Dakota
in Year 7, as well as beauty goods generously
given by Morea (Stevens) Reid, owner of
SalonQuip and a 1961 alumna.
Thanks also to Rebecca Rosenfield and Victoria
Simpson who helped send out the invitations.
Thank you for such a great reunion
last night. I really enjoyed myself
and it was so good to see so many
people again. I'm looking forward
to the next one!
Deanna Taylor
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ALUMNAE NEWS
Weddings
Angelina Mercuri, 1999
Angelina met Carlo Piccolo in early 2011 through a mutual family friend.
They married on 10 November 2012 at Angelina’s parish church, St
Peter's in East Bentleigh. All three bridesmaids were OLSH alumnae:
sisters Josephine, 2000; Salvina (now Noonan); 2004 and friend Angela
Locantro, 1999). The bride’s mother Maria, (Manafo) is also an OLSH
alumna, 1973. A two week honeymoon at sunny Cable Beach in
Broome followed the reception held at the Lincoln of Toorak. Angelina
is connected to several other OLSH alumnae which include those from
the Accetta, Sonno and La Rocca families. She works as a radiation
therapist at Peter MacCallum Hospital and Carlo is a team leader at the
Melbourne Museum.
Madeline Hickey, 2006
Madeline’s first date with Billy Haralambidis was the Year 12 formal.
Six years later, on 20 October 2012, they married at St Catherine
Greek Orthodox Church in Malvern East. Sister Jessica, 2000, was
maid of honour and 2006 classmate, Georgia Henmore, was one of
the bridesmaids. Nearly 200 guests attended the reception at The
Powerhouse, Albert Park. The happy couple honeymooned in Mexico,
New York (just as Hurricane Sandy hit); Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
Madeline, an electrician, and Billy, a car salesman, have settled in their
unit in Highett.
OLSH girls
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Anna Doran, 1989
Anna and Jo Marino were married at Inglewood Estate, Kangaroo
Ground, in Victoria on Sunday 23 Sept 2012. They currently live in
Cairns, Far North Queensland, with their six children. Anna has two
girls: Isabella and Caelan, and Jo has four children: Jayde, Rhys, Demi
and Bryce. Jo is a maintenance fitter for Skyrail, the famous cableway
above the Kuranda rainforest, and Anna works in administration in a
clothing manufacturing company. She is still very close friends with
several classmates although they all still live in Melbourne. Anna’s sister,
Elizabeth Doran, is from the Class of 1988.
Sarah Salvatore, 2004
Sarah and Robert
Duzelovski first met
through friends in 2006.
They married on 2 March
2013 at St Dominic's
in Camberwell with a
glamorous reception
at Central Pier in the
Docklands. Natalie Curovic
also from the class of
2004 was the maid of
honour. Sarah trained as
a hairdresser and is now
assistant manager at
Mecca while Robert is an
architectural draftsman.
They are saving for their
honeymoon in America at
the end of the year and
are looking forward to all
the excitement of a white
Christmas.
Stacey Powles, 2002
Stacey and Stephen
Zuluaga met in 2006 at
Monash University and
married on 6 October
2012 at Merrimu in
Murrumbeena. Stacey
is currently working
as an accountant in
public practice and
Stephen is a senior
systems engineer. The
bridal party included
her sister, Shelley
Powles, 2006.
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FLAME — Winter 2013
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CLASS OF 2002 REUNION
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO…?
REUNIONS
IN 2013
Plans are afoot for the following reunions
to take place this year. For more
information, contact the nominated
person and check the Alumnae section of
the College web site regularly
(refer page 2).
50 years – Class of 1963
Classmates are invited to attend a
reunion lunch on Saturday 9 November
at a venue to be confirmed. Contact Liz
(Child) Freeman-Hume on 0408 140 513
or [email protected].
40 years – Class of 1973
Reunion at the College on Sunday 13
October from 2.00pm onwards. Contact
Jenny (Martin) Killian on 0421 899 908
or [email protected]. Facebook:
“Class of 68-73 Our Lady of the Sacred
Heart Girls College Bentleigh”. This is a
closed group so you need to ask to be
accepted.
OLSH girls
can do anything!
10 years – Class of 2003
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Back row: (L-R): Mary (Dramis) Constantinou, Stacey Barry, Danica Ellicott, Metalle Balot,
Nicole Munari, Kate Hedge, Bec Foord, Christina Abriani. Front row: Jodie Davis, Krystle
(Westcott) Bleazby with daughters Acaila and Ehlara, Gabby Callander, Adele (Bretherton)
Chen, Payal Singh, Anne (Gleadall) Duff.
Interstaters, Gabby Callander flew in from
Palm Beach in Queensland and Danica Ellicott
came down from Canberra to attend the
10th anniversary reunion of the 2002 class on
Saturday 10 November 2012.
Still, as all the girls who gathered on the top deck
of the Middle Brighton Baths on a dazzling blue
sky afternoon agreed, it was good to be there
because “how often does a 10 year reunion
come around?”
It’s all happening on Friday 30 August
2013 at 7.00pm at the Bay Hotel,
Mordialloc. Invitations will be sent by
email. Contact Monica O’Neill on 0402
521 453 or [email protected].
Facebook: “OLSH Bentleigh Class of
2003”.
1 year – Class of 2011
Contact Shane O’Neil, OLSH Alumnae
Secretary, on 03 8520 9263 or alumnae@
olsh.vic.edu.au.
Open Day
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But the prize for effort probably goes to Rebecca
Foord who drove all the way from Shepparton to
say “hello” to her classmates even though she
had only been at OLSH for Year 7.
“All tired out after an afternoon of
reunions, rocks, bird watching and chip
sharing – nice to see everyone again!”
said Kyrstle (Westcott) Bleazby. She
was of course referring to her children,
not herself – wasn’t she?
“It was such a lovely day catching
up with the girls, and hearing from
those who couldn't attend through
Facebook.” From Stacey Barry who
provided this photo.
Once the initial introductions were over, the girls
settled into a corner of the deck and went round
the group one by one giving a speed snapshot
of their last 10 years. There were lots of “do you
remembers?” and laughs and a general feeling of
good will towards each other, their school days,
teachers (“is he really still there!”) and absent
class mates.
This reunion in real time and space precipitated a
wonderful exchange of stories in cyberspace via
Facebook from many who could not physically
be at the reunion, either because they had other
commitments, were busy with small children,
or were overseas. Messages came in from far
and wide including Barcelona (Sarah Graham),
Budapest (Andrea Grubel) and Nice (Amy Mullan).
THURSDAY 22 AUGUST 2013
Come to Open Day and take a
tour. Learn about all the educational
OLSH gir
opportunities on offer and enjoy the
can
do anyt
visual and performing arts showcase.
All welcome!
It was really satisfying to hear that so many girls
have found success and happiness, be it a thriving
career after extensive studies, starting businesses,
travelling, finding their soul mate and settling down,
starting a family – or all of the above!
girls can do anything!
OLSH girls can
FLAME —Winter 2013
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EDUCATION IN THE OLSH TRADITION
THE FOUR PILLARS
Our motto “May Christ Reign!” is our tradition. For members of our school community,
this means living the OLSH Spirit as expressed in the four pillars of OLSH education.
We are Heart
people who
are Faithfilled
We are Heart
people who
Pursue
Excellence
We believe in God’s
personal love for us.
This gives us meaning
and purpose in our
lives and enables us
to help others find
meaning in their lives
too.
We believe in Jesus’
words: “I have come
that you may have life
and have it to the full.”
(John 10:10).
We pursue excellence
in everything we do.
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We are Heart
people who
Reverence
Relationships
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We believe in the
dignity of every
human person. Our
OLSH family is both
local and international
and we make an effort
to build and support
community.
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We are Heart
people who
Touch the
Hearts of
Others
We believe in our call
to be united with the
mission of Jesus.
Together we seek to
build the Kingdom
of truth and life, of
holiness and grace,
of justice, love and
peace. Our tradition of
service and outreach
and our option for the
poor are vital aspects
of our OLSH identity.
OLSH
can do
These beautiful paintings giving artistic expression to the four pillars were created by Mrs Bronwyn Cottrell, Arts Domain Leader at the College.
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Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College
111 Jasper Road, Bentleigh, VIC 3204
Tel: 03 8520 9200
Fax: 03 8520 9299
Web: www.olsh.vic.edu.au
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This magazine is printed on Sovereign A2 Silk, an
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FLAME — Winter 2013