Focus on Fairholme 2014 edition

ON FAIRHOLME | SPRING 2014
this issue
‘The fundamental purpose
of school is
learning,
not teaching.’
Richard DuFour
And thus, our Winter 2014 issue of Focus on Fairholme adjusts
its lens to display a series of of ‘learning snapshots’
at the College over the past 12 months.
As we well know, learning takes place in all shapes and
forms. From Kindy through to Junior and Middle Schools,
and our graduating Seniors stepping out into the brave
world of adulthood – the learning of numeracy, literacy,
science, languages, the arts and sport is imperative, as is the
manner in which we conduct our execution of each of those
disciplines.
But what of the learning of becoming a decent human
being? Of becoming a young woman of genuine
selflessness? The Year 11 girls who travelled to Mizpah would
tell you that their adventure disarmingly and beautifully
brought their perspective on need and want to an abrupt halt.
Gratitude is, indeed, a lesson that lasts a lifetime.
The tapestry of learning experiences at Fairholme College
is vast and rich. As you survey the following portraits
and their insights, we trust that you consider the value
of each story for each girl’s memories, abilities, dreams...
her learning.
2 | SPRING 2014
contents
g
n
i
n
learto lead
6
KEEN TO BE GREEN
Fairholme Junior Garden Club
reap their rewards
Chairman of the Fairholme College Board of Directors, Mr Ian Andersen,
speaks of the benefits of professional learning in the area of governance.
7
FOOD FOR THE SOUL
Providing ‘Baked Relief’ for our
farming families
10
THE PERFECT PLACE TO PLAY
Showcasing the new adventure
area in the Fairholme Junior Kindy
13
SINGING UP A STORM
Five talented Fairhome girls feature in
‘Project Pucini’
22
SETTING TRENDS
Seeking excellence and
securing success – across the board
26
Learning is a form of good
stewardship. This truth, simple as it
sounds, but profound in application,
has become increasingly clear to me
as I continue in my role as Chairman.
I found myself contemplating
this principle again after recently
completing the Independent Schools
Queensland Governance Program.
The program was well presented,
thought-provoking and stimulating. I
received great benefit from this unique
forum of collaborating with other
professionals, enjoying the privilege
and responsibility, as I do, of working
in the world of school governance.
This program covered a range of
complex subject matters such as
compliance and policy framework,
strategy and performance measures,
legal environment and stakeholder
networking. However, for those of us
involved in the program, and in spite
of the many differences between our
schools, there was a simple motivation
that drove us all: to learn, so that we
are better prepared to govern better
the precious things entrusted to us.
It is true that ‘To whom much is
given, much is required’ (Luke
12:48). As a member of the
College Board, entrusted with
‘much’ – overseeing Fairholme
College’s regulatory compliance,
financial health, setting strategy
and managing strategic risk for
the future – it is vital that we, as
Board members equip ourselves
with an attitude that seeks to
know best practice, so we can
apply those principles. For the
advancement of our students both
current and future, it is my personal
responsibility to learn.
As educators and governors, we
are acutely aware of the need to
better of ourselves as individuals,
and the attainment of excellence in
our own personal learning is part
of the privilege of serving in this
capacity. It is through our individual
effort, combined collaboration, and
thoughtful application that we will
see Fairholme continue to flourish.
Mr Ian Andersen | Chairman
Learning is a form
of good stewardship.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Keep up with the news of our
Fairholme Old Girls
SPRING 2014 | 3
A TALE OF tenacity
…
A brief insight into the Principal’s Journey of discovery during Doctoral writing
Jemima: Can you name some driving
forces that assisted you during the
five years of this extensive process?
Mrs Evans: An absolute constant was
my father encouraging me to simply
‘get it done!’
Recently, I sat down
with Fairholme
College Principal,
Mrs Linda Evans, to
ponder the merits of
thesis writing. During
our conversation,
she stood up, walked over to the
shelf and picked up, what I thought,
was a fresh ream of printing paper.
‘I’m done,’ she said, and that was the
moment I realised that she was, in
fact, holding her doctoratal thesis.
It has taken her five years, 75, 000
words and 22 pages of bibliographical
references to reach this point. The
endgame: a Doctorate of Education.
Mrs Evans’s thesis examined the
effects of teacher professional
learning upon school improvement.
Her primary objective was to uncover
the best way that teachers can
be supported to learn, in order to
strengthen their pedagogical practice.
The findings showed that learning is
an on-going process which is made
more achievable through in-depth,
context-based research involving
collaboration and phases of reflection.
As students, we can learn two things
from Mrs Evans’ endeavours.
4 | SPRING 2014
Firstly, this is a story of tenacity.
When I asked whether she had ever
regretted taking it on, she responded
candidly, ‘often’. The process to
getting a doctorate is anything
but simple. It is highly involved,
requiring reading and more reading,
extensive drafting and countless
consultation sessions. This is a story
of academic rigour, a trait which we
can apply to our own lives.
Secondly, she said that part of the
reason for her persistence was her
father. He encouraged her to simply
‘get it done!’. It is widely known
that nothing worth having comes
easily; however, sometimes timely
encouragement from those who
matter to us most, is priceless.
Though Mrs Evans is delighted
to have finished her thesis, she
still has to undergo a number
of final interviews and critiques
before officially being awarded her
Doctorate of Education. Whilst Mrs
Evans was once caught out on an
Assembly saying: ‘Winning is a
terrible thing’, it is fair to say that in
this academic domain, ‘winning’ is
not such a terrible thing after all.
on the reef
Reef Magic Cruises | Work ‘Adventure’
Being a qualified scuba diver and
caring about our oceans, I chose work
experience in the Marine Biology field
on-board a vessel leaving Cairns each
day, steaming out to Moore Reef on the
Outer Great Barrier Reef. I was labelled
by the crew a ‘cruisey bio’. That is, my
duties were half cruise attendant and half
marine biologist.
A few rough weather days with 30 knot
winds didn’t stop me from loving every
minute on the ocean (even though some
of the passengers didn’t like it very
much!). During the 1.5hr boat trip to the
floating pontoon I operated as a cruise
attendant, and was responsible for deck
watch and making sure the passengers
were travelling well. After arriving at the
pontoon, all staff had a roster to follow
for their jobs that day. I usually started
with handing out wetsuits, and, funnily
enough, some foreigners had absolutely
no idea how to put one on.
During the course of the week I was
paired up with two marine biologists who
arranged all of the snorkel and dive tours,
so I had the opportunity to accompany
them on all of these water activities. This
is where Wally befriended me – Wally, the
hump headed Maori Wrasse, the gentle
giant who takes a keen interest in all
who swim into his territory. I actually
took more of a strong liking to Willy, his
smaller brother. I couldn’t ever swim past
without him brushing and knocking up
against me, wanting a pat and a scrub of
his lips.
I had a wonderful time on Reef Magic
and loved every minute of it. Having met
some wonderful people and learning
more about the reef and what marine
biologists actually do, this is definitely
an experience I will always treasure and
remember.
Bobbie Finch | Year 10
SPRING 2014 | 5
An
learning
for
Take a wander around the
winding pathway below
Fairholme Junior, and you will no
doubt behold a most rewarding
sight. A plot of earth, rich not
only in nutrients for the fresh
produce it yields, but rich also in
life lessons for young growers.
The Junior School Environment Club is keen to make Fairholme College
as ‘green as can be’. Club members harvested a bumper crop from
their recently installed vegetable garden, which is full of delicious
vegetables and herbs. When the food is ready to be picked, the
students sell their produce to parents and staff. From the funds raised,
they are buying more seedlings to ensure this project remains selfsustainable. The children will also utilise the College kitchen to cook up
delicious healthy food from their fresh produce.
6 | SPRING 2014
Members of the Environment Club are also involved in recycling
food scraps for a worm farm and to feed Ms Eden’s chickens.
Food scraps are collected in bins and the waste is used to feed
the worm farm which is then used for fertilising our vegetable
garden. The waste in school bins has been greatly reduced thanks
to this project, and also due to the fact that the Club members
are promoting a weekly Nude Food day, where students bring
food to eat that doesn’t use plastic wrap or packaging.
SOUL
To date some 17,000 ANZAC biscuits and 600 fruit cakes
have been distributed in this year’s BAKED RELIEF
campaign. That tally can now be raised by at least 1,000
biscuits after Fairholme Year 11 girls proudly supported
Mrs Georgie Somerset (A Fairholme Boarder Mum) and
the Queensland Rural, Regional and Remote Women’s
Network BAKED RELIEF’s efforts. The girls baked,
packaged and assisted in the distribution of baked
goods to Queensland farmers in need, accompanied by
heartfelt notes of love and encouragement from both
Fairholme families and caring members of the wider
local community.
Following the delivery of the ‘care packs’ to farming
families, the College was inundated with letters of
thanks, and gracious messages – an example of which
follows:
‘Dear students, thankyou for your kind thoughts. I can
assure you these are the best biscuits that I have eaten
in 70 years. Keep thinking of others and the world will
be a better place...’
EVERYONE’s FAVOURITE FLAVOURS
Fairholme College’s Family Favourites cookbook is a compilation of
recipes and photographs which capture our heritage, our present and
our future.
Within these 260 pages you will find favourite recipes along with those
that have been handed down lovingly through families. It is with the
knowledge that the kitchen is often the heart of the family home, that
we are delighted to share them with you.
For the perfect gift, or simply for your own indulgence,
purchase a copy today by contacting
the administration office:
T 07 4688 4688
E [email protected]
On sale now for only
$39.95
SPRING 2014 | 7
And so, we danced...
Foxtrots and high heels, red carpet and stunning fashion were on display as
College Seniors stepped out in style for the 2014 Fairholme Formal.
Crowds of eager family and friends lined
the edges of Fairholme’s Palm Drive to
herald the entrance of this year’s Senior
cohort, as they celebrated their muchanticipated Formal on Thursday, 3 April. The
transformation from tartan-clad school girls
to graceful and elegant young women was
breathtaking. Gowns were long, flowing,
simple in design, and diverse in their
colours. The heels were high, very high.
As is tradition, the evening began with a
function for parents, teachers, the girls and
their partners.
Following the red carpet walk-in and an
on-stage introduction of each girl and her
partner, some ballroom dancing – including
a father-daughter foxtrot. The formal part
of the evening was celebrated at Picnic
Point where a delicious meal was shared,
along with more photographs, dancing,
and the formalities of the cutting of the
cake – introduced by Head Girl, Sarah
Aljassim. This special social milestone was
celebrated with style and panache, and the
Fairholme community was proud to share it
with its impressive Seniors of 2014.
○ Joumannah Haddad and Will Hansen
○ Hannah Nugent and Max Fox
○ Maddison Neven and Ryan Schefe
8 | SPRING 2014
○ Ellen Morrison and Geordi Pohlman
○ Anita Brits and Jesse DeVeth
○ Danielle Clarke and Caitlin Van Der Vyver
○ Sarah Patterson and Preston Anderson
○ Tiarna Pratt, Jemima Burt, Dom Du Toit, Sarah Aljassim, and Lucy Grigg
○ Georgia Gierke, Ali Doyle, Taylah Ford, Kiris Apelt, and Shannon McHours
○ Sophie Rae and Timothy Beare
SPRING 2014 | 9
seeds
of imagination
Of all the child-like qualities
that are desirable to retain
in adults, surely the ability
to imagine wonderful,
fantastical worlds is one.
So it is, that on any given
day in Fairholme Kindy,
tiny tots can be seen and
heard laughing, gazing
curiously, and carrying out a
multitude of activities with
immense celebration and
gusto: tapping, splashing,
drumming, planting,
harvesting... learning.
10 | SPRING 2014
The perfect
place to play...
The new adventure area in the
Fairholme Junior Kindy brings a
whole new meaning to playbased learning.
We acknowledge and thank the
Queensland Government for
funding from the Renovation and
Refurbishment Grant Program for
Kindergarten Services. Our students
can now enjoy a fascinating
landscaped area with interesting
textures and paths to explore, a
water way with a pump, a new deck,
a vegetable garden, a sand pit and an
outdoor musical instrument.
SPRING 2014 | 11
Gaining the
International
ADVANTAGE
There’s nothing quite
like learning how to
represent an Australian
women’s rugby team – on
an international stage,
with the world watching.
Fairholme sportswoman
Dominique Du Toit is set
to receive a vigorous
schooling in challenging
tackles, defending her line
and staring down fierce
opponents whose sole
aim is to bring her down...
and she can’t wait.
NATIONAL KARATE CHAMPION TO REPRESENT
THE AUSTRALIAN JKA TEAM IN TOKYO
With her sights firmly on emulating
the achievements of one of her role
models, past Fairholme student and
2012 Sports Prefect Emilee Cherry, who
is a dual Australian Open representative,
Dominique has built up an impressive
list of achievements. A member of
Fairholme’s squad that became the first
Darling Downs school to win the girls
division of the State All Schools Touch
Championships, she has captained the
Darling Downs juniors, played for the
Open South West Swans and has been
a member of the Queensland Juniors
and Open Schoolgirls Teams. An Elite 8s
player with the Stingrays, Dominique
has toured New Zealand twice and also
plays for the Gold Coast Dodgers in the
Brisbane competition.
12 | SPRING 2014
While her goal to represent Australia in
Touch is still a major focus, it is currently
Rugby 7s which has seen Dominique
make her first Australian Squad. At the
National Sevens Tournament on the
Gold Coast, she was named Australian
Player of the Tournament and was
selected, along with Fairholme’s 2013
Sports Prefect Georgina Rackemann, in
the Youth Olympic Squad to compete in
China in August. With a tour to Japan
in April for the SANIX World Youth
Championships, it has become a busy
year for the talented sportswomen.
Congratulations and good luck to both
girls for the tournament in Nanjing,
which begins on 17 August.
What an action-packed Senior year Anita Brits
has had! Anita started 2014 with a Karate training
seminar that hosted top Japanese instructors from
the JKA headquarters held in Melbourne, this was
followed by the National championships, showcasing
the best Karate talent in Australia competing for the
coveted title of National champion in the various age
groups. Impressively, Anita competed in a very hard
and well-contested division, going on to win and
claim the National title for the third year in a row.
The National selections took place over the same
period, where she was seeded number one in
Australia and selected to represent the Australian
Junior JKA team, which will be competing at the
World JKA Karate Championship to be held in Tokyo,
Japan, from 13 – 19 October.
Anita was placed second in the 2011 World cup
in Thailand, and will be displaying some steely
determination to win the title this year.
‘Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with
ardor and attended to with diligence.’
Abigail Adams
Some talented Fairholme girls have discovered that diligence and an uncompromising work ethic
in perfecting their craft can occasionally result in a most wonderful outcome: the attaining of
learning in a league far above normal, everyday life.
Hand-picked by Opera Queensland,
five Fairholme girls were included
in the selected chorus (36 adults
and 12 children from Toowoomba)
to perform in Puccini’s La Boheme
at the Empire Theatre on Friday 15
August 2014.
A number of Fairholme students had
the courage to audition for Opera
Queensland representatives. This in
itself was a wonderful achievement,
and all are to be congratulated.
Some 90 local singers auditioned for
the Toowoomba performance.
Spanning Junior, Middle and
Senior schools, these girls had
the opportunity to sing in Italian
alongside many talented Opera
singers:
Project Puccini is supported by
the Queensland Government
through Arts Queensland’s Playing
Queensland Fund, and is also
supported by the Graeme Wood
Foundation. An intensive 10-week
development program will equip all
participants with improved music
and drama skills, new social and
creative networks, and an increased
sense of community, wellbeing and
self-esteem.
> Year 7 Emma Baillie and Phoebe Long-Heslop
> Year 10 Georgia Hayward
> Year 11 Nina Wildman
> Year 12 Courtney Hayward
Project Puccini is a world-first initiative by
Opera Queensland, which gives hundreds
of Queenslanders the opportunity to
perform in the chorus of a brand new
production of Puccini's La Bohème.
An intensive 10-week development
program will equip all participants with
improved music and drama skills, new
social and creative networks, and an
increased sense of community, wellbeing
and self-esteem.
Supported by the Queensland Government
through Arts Queensland’s Playing
Queensland Fund, it is also supported by
the Graeme Wood Foundation.
SPRING 2014 | 13
The tutelage of
service
The College’s annual service trip to
Mizpah Orphanage, India, creates a
new life perspective for Fairholme girls.
How can one’s heart not become full of
gratitude for what we have, when one
has been forever touched, indeed taught,
by those with far less?
December 2013 and January 2014 saw
two groups of Fairholme Year 11 girls
and staff embark on a voyage to India.
There, they learned: contentment despite
the lack of earthly goods, the importance
of joy even in hardship, and the realness of faith of a people trusting in God,
literally, for their daily bread.
‘When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully,
everyone is blessed.’
Maya Angelou
In 2006, almost by chance, Fairholme College’s Pastor Richard Jessup
and his wife Kerrie stumbled upon a small orphanage, Mizpah
Home, in Oootacumund, Southern India. What has emerged from this
chance meeting has been a fabulous relationship, strengthened by
service, on-going financial support and an annual trek by groups of
Year 11 girls and staff.
14 | SPRING 2014
Agape Hope Children’s Centre: truly a
place of love and hope.
Early in 2014, along with a small team
from Australia, I headed off on my
second mission trip to Agape Hope
Children’s Centre, Nairobi Kenya. This
orphanage is small in size, yet gives
so much love and hope to the 100 plus
children within its walls.
Founded in 2003 by Pastor Oliver and his
wife Margaret Cheriba, Agape Hope has
a school attached where children from
the local area can also attend. Schooling
in Kenya isn’t free – there isn’t any
financial support from the government
for either schools or orphanages.
Whilst in Kenya the group’s main
mission was the building of school
desks for all classes. Between mum
and myself, we also successfully
implemented a hand washing program,
educating children from baby class up to
class 8. Water tanks and hand washing
stations were also purchased and placed
throughout Agape Hope, to reinforce the
issue of personal hygiene.
In 2013-14, thirty-eight Year 11 girls and eight
As is the case each year that Fairholme
teachers spent part of their Christmas holidays
travels to Ooty, all involved were reminded
in India, with their time in ‘Ooty’ being divided
of the privilege of service and the blessing
between the Mizpah orphanage and Smyrna
of gaining a broader perspective of life …
Rehabilitation Centre. Girls were involved
Of course this sort of service is not about
in beggar food drops but predominantly in
helping the impoverished and feeling some
painting, playing and simply interacting with
sort of self-righteousness because of it.
children of a diversity of ages, from a diversity
It is the reverse, really. This trip is about
of impoverished backgrounds.
humility, valuing people and learning about
the things that matter.
My aim is to raise $100 000 (Aus) for the
orphange, this amount would secure the
land required (currently being leased) as
well as having money to begin replacing
or upgrading dilapidated building
structures which are currently being
used. This may seem a big ask, but it
only takes one spark to start a fire.
My heart is with my Kenyan brothers
and sisters – children who may feel their
voice will not be heard: as the Lord
guides me, I will endeavour to be that
voice for them, creating awareness.
Erin Higgins | Year 10
SPRING 2014 | 15
Equestriennes
Triumph
in 2014
State Champions!!
An Extravaganza of Success at Scots PGC
The largest Fairholme equestrian team to
date led the field at this year’s Scots PGC
Extravaganza, held in Warwick from Friday 30
May to Sunday 1 June.
Three days of competition saw Fairholme’s
15 riders contending for placings across
all categories, including Dressage, Show
jumping, Showhorse, Showman and
Combined Training. The team had a
successful and rewarding tournament,
returning home with several champion titles
across individual and team events. The
Secondary equestrian team is comprised
totally of boarders, which adds to the
challenge of training and all that is entailed
in attending equestrian events such as this,
so they should be further commended for
their efforts.
Riders: Georgie Tonkin, Claudia Dight, Tory
Robertson, Brittany Clark, Loretta Morris, Meg
Gillan, Clare Hensley, Lauren Bougoure, Bree
Robertson, Mia Doering, Chelsea Toomey,
Amilia Schooley, Becky Gillan, Phoebe Riordan
and Kaitlin Topalov.
16 | SPRING 2014
The 2014 Interschool Equestrian State
Championships were held in Maryborough
during the June/July school holidays. Fairholme
sent a team of nine Secondary riders and two
Primary riders to compete in the four disciplines
of Dressage, Showhorse, Showman and
Showjumping.
The riders competing in Dressage competed at
Medium, Elementary, Novice and Preliminary
levels and all rode and placed well. They also
achieved placings in in the Showhorse and
Showman sections. Our largest number of
competitors was in Showjumping, with riders
competing at all height levels, with huge success
across all classes, culminating in winning
Champion Secondary Showjumping Team.
Impressively, the following five riders qualified
for Nationals which will be held in Melbourne in
the September/October school holidays: Phoebe
Riordan, our youngest rider (Dressage and
Showjumping), Becky Gillan, Brittany Clarke and
Loretta Morris (Showjumping) and Tory Robertson
(Dressage).
Congratulations to all our riders who showed
such skill, confidence and camaraderie over the
four days of competition.
Supreme Champion –
Australian Stock Horse
National Championships
What a start
to 2014
for Year 10
Fairholme
boarder
Anna Elder,
after her
outstanding
performance
at the
Australian
Stock Horse
National Championships at Tamworth during
the first week of March. Anna took out a
plethora of awards resulting in her being
awarded Supreme Champion Hack of the
Show (there were over 500 horses competing
for this award).
Anna’s success deserves the highest praise,
as during the entire competition she was
in Open company and was one of only a
handful of riders under the age of 18 years.
in the making
Junior students enjoy the
‘thrill of discovery’ during
the CSIRO Early Learners
Science Lab Program
There were huge smiles on all
the faces of the Prep girls, as,
together with Lisa, the CSIRO
Education Officer, they rotated
through the many hands-on
activities designed to get them
thinking about how things work.
The girls were fascinated by
electrical circuit experiments, and
enjoyed learning about magnetic
experiments, body organs, and
air pressure through playing with
water balls.
The Year 1 girls also attended
an in-school hands-on learning
experience presented by a CSIRO
Science Education Officer on the
topic, Beginner Robotics. The
girls happily engaged with the
awesome and very cute Beebots,
and thus, extending their skills of
literacy and numeracy, working
collaboratively, problem solving,
spatial awareness and logical
thinking.
The Year 6 girls participated in
a workshop called Robotics NXT.
This program works in conjunction
with Year 6 Science and ICT units
which, over the course of the
year, look at electricity, energy
and simple elements of computer
programming. All of these aspects
were combined when the girls
looked at robots, the use and
potential of robotics and how to
move robots in Robotics NXT. They
initially discussed the qualities
of robots and then the girls were
able to connect to their very own
robot via computers.
SPRING 2014 | 17
FINDING THEIR VOICE
Time travel, toe-tapping music and
talent to boot!
Fairholme Junior students bring an amazing
Aussie tale to life during their performance
of the annual Junior School Musical.
18 | SPRING 2014
FINDING THEIR VOICE
Where had Aunt Mabel gone?
In Term 1, the Junior School girls from Years 1 – 6 prepared
and presented this year’s Junior School musical, Finding
Aunt Mabel.
Mabel, played by Elizabeth Perrignon, accidentally triggered
a time machine built by her husband John in an old hut
that had been on their farm for 160 years.
FINDING THEIR VOICE
FINDING THEIR VOICE
Mabel’s nieces, Millie and Tillie Walker, played by Madelyn
Gordon and Aisling Teahan, also triggered the operation of the
time machine and they ended up following Aunt Mabel through
time until they finally found her in 1855 and brought her home.
The girls had so much fun throughout the term as they developed
their singing and dancing, learning about using the stage and
delivering lines, annd the reward of presenting the resulting
performances to such wonderfully receptive audiences.
The far-fetched and amusing tale took the audience on a
journey to visit cavemen, Australian animals, 1855 early
settlers, 1905 schoolgirls, hippies, 1980s bush dancers and
finally home to 2014.
Thank you to Mrs Belinda Eldridge, Co-ordinator of Fairholme
Junior Arts, for her creative ingenuity in once again weaving farreaching adventures into our hearts and minds.
SPRING 2014 | 19
Seeking Excell ence
EDUCATION AND THE WORLD OF
LEAGUE TABLES
The June 21-22 Weekend Australian listed the nation’s ‘top
performing schools’. Fairholme was placed number 26 in
Queensland and number 12 in Australian Country Schools (the
highest performing Queensland regional school). We can be
justifiably proud of being able to rub shoulders, in an academic
sense, with counterparts from interstate and capital cities.
Like all data it provides feedback, a brief snapshot, and in this
instance, an external perspective of Fairholme which gives
impetus to continue to seek excellence in all that we do. The
academic mountain top is an elusive but enticing goal for each
one of us. Our teachers continue to stirve for improvement in
learning outcomes for all.
CELEBRATING SUCCESSES
We are very pleased to present a synopsis of the Overall Position
STAFF ACHIEVEMENTS
Congratulations to Mrs Lee-Ann Grantham, Junior Sports Co-ordinator,
who was presented with a Service Award from the Toowoomba Primary
School Sport Association for her time, dedication and support of Primary
School Sport in Toowoomba over the past 14 years. Mrs Grantham is
certainly a worthy recipient of such an award.
What an awesome effort from Mr Brian Schmaker (one of our helpful
IT co-ordinators) whilst competing at the Queensland Masters Track
Championships. Brian gained the following medals at the competition:
• Gold in 200m sprints, setting a new State record.
• Silver in 500m time trial (pipped by 0.08 second for Gold).
• Silver in the 5km Scratch Race (all competitors racing at the same time on the velodrome).
Mrs Lyn Merry, Head of Fairholme Junior recently had her member’s
Professional Development Grant Report from her attendance at the 2013
United Kingdom Literacy Association 49th International Conference on
Literacy Policies and Practices published in an Independent Primary
School Heads of Australia e-publication.
Both our Principal, Mrs Linda Evans, and Deputy Principal/Head of
Senior School, Ms Catrina Sharp, have been asked to present at the
Restorative Practice International| Queensland Conference, in October
2014. The conference title is Relationships Matter: building, maintaining
and repairing school communities. Mrs Evans is also presented at an
ant-bullying symposium at the Gold Coast in August.
data for the Seniors of 2013. The achievements of these students
were strong, with academic improvement most evident in the OP
1-5 band. The results below are representative of commitment
and hard work both individually and as a whole cohort as well
as reflecting the strong educational and pastoral support that
was provided by a professional and dedicated teaching staff.
> 100% of our girls achieved their QCE
(Queensland Certificate of Education)
> 93% of our girls achieved an Overall Position between 1 - 15
> 31% of our girls achieved an Overall Position between 1 - 5
> 50% of our boarders achieved an Overall Position between 1 - 8
From 10 -12 June, Mrs Belinda Eldridge, Co-ordinator of Fairholme Junior
Arts, was responsible for the staging of Sing Out, the biennial choral
festival, at the Empire Theatre. The festival enabled 47 primary school
choirs from across the Darling Downs to participate in workshops. In
total there were just over 1500 students involved during the three-day
festival. A concert for the parents of the choristers was performed each
evening.
Mr Rod Egerton is to be ‘applauded’ for his co-ordination of the
magnificent Colourstrings event that took place at Fairholme during the
recent holidays. Celebrated string teachers and conductors, Géza and
Csaba Szlivay, led student orchestras, culminating in a public concert
on Saturday 5 July, followed by an intensive five-day Teachers Training
Workshop in the materials and method of Colourstrings, as developed
in Finland over the past 40 years.
Congratulations to Ms Dee Erdelyi and Mr Derek Cantle who have been
appointed Panel Chair for German and Geography respectively. They join
Mr Rohan Davis and Mrs Feranki Hughes as Panel Chairs for the District.
It’s full steam ahead for Junior School IPAD project with Mr Shane
Buckley (IT Coach) leading the way for piloting with Year fours, Year
ones, and their teachers, Ms Lauren Threlfall and Ms Lauren Miller.
20 | SPRING 2014
in
n the making ultimate
CHANGE he making
THE
Cultural Immersion via
Student Exchanges
The Fairholme College Exchange program
continues to be very popular, with opportunites
to meet and host visiting students from sister
schools in England, France, Japan, Germany, and
New Zealand.
JOSHI
PAN
HS | JA
KENT C
By travelling overseas as exchange students, girls
are given the opportunity to become acquainted
with another culture, its
language, heritage and values.
OLLEGE
| UK
Similarly, hosting an overseas student is a
wonderful way to bring another part of the world
into your own home. It provides
Australian familes with the opportunity to observe
and hear stories of other countries. The fun,
friendship and rewarding educational benefits of
hosting an international student can make the
experience an unforgettable one.
CURRENT EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
Year 9
NEW ZEALAND – Samuel Marsden Collegiate School,
Wellington
| GERMANY
EDITH-STIEN GYMNASIUM
Year 9 – Year 10
UNITED KINGDOM – Kent College, Pembury, Kent,
England
Year 10/Year 11 language students:
FRANCE – Lycée René Cassin, Arpajon, France
> Fairholme students to France, November - January holidays
> French students to Fairholme, July - August
GERMANY – Edith-Stein-Gymnasium, Bretten, Germany
> Fairholme students to Germany, November - January holidays
> German students to Fairholme, July - August
JAPAN – Reitaku Mizunami High School, Japan
Jissen Joshigakuen High School, Japan
> Fairholme students to Japan, November January holidays
>Japanese students to Fairholme, July - August
NCE
Lycée René Cassin | FRA
We welcome our Fairholme Girls for a Term who
will be arriving from Joshi Seigakuin High School.
Their photos are featured at right.
SPRING 2014 | 21
relay swims.
announcement of overall house champion.
Setting
nanna in war paint.
SETTING
trends
what’s
your favourite
interhouse swimming carnival moment?
TSSS Swimming Success
Fairholme’s team of 24 swimmers performed
strongly throughout the 2014 Toowoomba
Secondary Schools competition, taking out the
‘A’ Schools title for the 13 th consecutive year!
Darling Downs Cross Country Champions at
Kearneys Spring, May 2014. The Fairholme
Cross Country team was crowned Aggregate
Winners and were champions in the 13 , 14
and 15 years age groups.
Congratulations to Briana Suey, Jolie Wheeler,
Emily Payne, Katie Wright and Bridget Meyers
who were selected to represent Toowoomba
at the Queensland U13 Hockey Championships
which were held in Rockhampton from
Monday 30 June through to Wednesday 2
July. To add to this success, Briana Suey was
selected for the 2014 Queensland Under 13
Women’s team to compete at the Australian
Championships which will take place in
Brisbane from the 4 - 11 October.
Fairholme’s FLAMES cohort of 41 swimmers
competed against Clayfield College in
Brisbane on Friday 28 February, returning
triumphant! Fairholme won by six points,
finishing on 33 points to Clayfield’s 27
points. The team was well led by our
Swim Captains, Danielle Clark and Kaiti
McGregor, ably supported by our other senior
swimmers, Alex Day and Meg Jakins.
Fairholme College Middle and Senior School
Interhouse Swimming Carnival
Friday 21 February 2014
Invitation to Sponsor
Julia brings home eight medals from Australian School Sports Swimming Championships.
Congratulations to Year 11 student Julia Algie, representing Queensland Secondary Schools with
distinction in the pool in Melbourne last week, 21 – 25 July. Her program of eight individual
events yielded three gold medals, two silver medals and one bronze medal. A further two
gold medals from two relay events brought the medal total up to eight. Continuing to receive
accolades over and above her race results, Julia was awarded the ‘Multi Class Senior Swimmer’
of the meet, and also received the ‘Team Spirit Award’ for Queensland. Well done Julia, and our
thanks also to Coach Tim Taylor, who attended part of the meet for support.
22 | SPRING 2014
A tempting taste of The Arts
Middle School Arts students treated a capacity
audience to a delightful program of outstanding
performances in the James Taylor Room at Gip’s
Restaurant in May 2014, co-ordinated by Middle
School Leaders for the Arts – Isabel Fitton and Lola
Lachmund. The Chocolate Box Concert showcased
performances in all areas of the Arts, including
Music, Dance, and Drama. An exhibition of art
works were also on display with a collection of fine lino-black and white drawings created by
students and offered for sale. The featured artist, Shannon Gralow, an International violinist and
singer, performed the beautiful theme, Schindler’s List by John Williams. The Concert ended with
a supper of tempting chocolate delicacies and coffee, while auction items from sponsors and
student art work were sold to many enthusiastic buyers.
Earlier this year, a large group of students
from Fairholme College and a number of other
regional schools were extremely fortunate to
participate in a Master Class and workshop
with celebrated Australian flautist, Jane Rutter.
Our very own Flute Ensemble, under the
direction of Ms Nicola Hayden, were invited to
play with Jane, again receiving welcomed advice
and encouragement.
In addition, a piano Master Class with Cho Qi
Wong, a leading pianist and conductor, was also
held at the College with a number of students
gaining a valuable insight into making the most
of their playing using sensitivity and making the
notes sing!
Painting a pretty picture!
24 Fairholme students in Years 11 and 12, had their works
selected as finalists in this year’s USQ Future Visions Art
Awards and are to be congratulated on this outstanding
achievement. Amongst the major award winners, Annabelle
Thelander’s work, entitled ‘I Can ReGeneR8’ was awarded
Third Prize. Also, a total of 12 Fairholme students were
announced as finalists at the 2014 Chronicle Junior Art Expo
Awards. From 644 entries received, the judges selected just
100 works as the finalists (from Pre-school to Year 12)
Records fell in rapid succession at the Fairholme College
Interhouse Athletics Championships held on Friday 1 August, 2014.
Congratulations to Black House on winning the carnival and to the
following girls for creating new records:
Congratulations to Bella McLoughlin (Year 6)
who competed in the National Track and Field
championships in Brisbane in shot put and
discus in November 2013. Her outstanding
results are as follows:
> 7th in Australia in Shotput! PB on Saturday
(a huge 9metres 40m)
> 3rd in Australia in discus
(another PB : 31.73m improved by 1 metre 40cm).
Lilli Anderson
Brianna Dascombe
Ellie Bowyer
Georgie Heath
Samantha Lenton
Zoe Phillips
Katie Lowe
Ali Doyle
AGE CHAMPIONS:
12 years
13 years
14 years
15 years
16 years
Senior
200m &Long Jump
Triple Jump
Javelin
Hurdles
Shot Put & Javelin
Long Jump
Javelin
Javelin
Lilli Anderson
Alexis Thornberry
Brianna Dascombe
Natalie Webster
Sophia Harper
Mackenzie Andrews
SPRING 2014 | 23
Fairholme Old Girls’ Association
learning
OF OUR PAST
Known variously as Fairholme Preparatory
School, Fairholme Primary, Junior or Senior
Primary and Fairholme Junior, since 1919 it
has been an integral part of Fairholme. Our
College archives collection contains a number
of photos, uniforms and records – that
help to tell the story of what Fairholme
students learned.
Kindergarten boys and girls were part of
Fairholme from its beginnings and were
taught by Miss Anne Clarke from 1919.
As they reported: We little girls like paper
folding and sewing but the boys would
rather make houses and trains with their
blocks. What else did they learn? Literature,
Arithmetic – including mental arithmetic
and tables – geography, mapping, singing,
eurhythmics and folk dancing, drawing,
dictation and writing, history
and scripture were all part of
their schooldays. I like drawing
horses best of all, reported
Bernice in 1927. Social Studies
and French were added in
the 1950s and 1960s; in the
1970s and 1980s, lessons in
Mothercraft, Science, Speech
and Drama, Japanese,
recorder playing, and ‘use of
computers’ became part of
their learning experiences.
The Preparatory School gained a new home in
1938, when new classrooms were added to the
Kindergarten bungalow. As reported in the College
Magazine, we have become very important people,
for now we are a school of our own! A brand new
flag bearing the lettering ‘Fairholme Preparatory’
was presented to us. In 1988 this building (pictured
left) was moved to the corner of Bridge and Wirra
Wirra Streets, to make way for what is now the
Fairholme Sports Centre, and the Primary School
moved into the Lindsay Statham Building (L Block)
in 1990. In 1996, when the Preschool was reestablished at Fairholme, the old bungalow became
its home.
Who could forget the great traditions of the Primary
School, such as the annual Fancy Dress Party, the
socials with the boys from the Church of England
Preparatory School (now Toowoomba Anglican
College and Preparatory School) and the Interhouse
gardening competition, or the camps and excursions
of more recent years? And the great characters, such
as the legendary Miss Mildred Hawkins, for 20 years
the Senior Mistress in the Preparatory School from
1949, and the Scholarship Class (Year 8) teacher.
What did you learn in Primary School here at
Fairholme?
If you have a special memory or story or an item
from your days in the Preparatory, Primary or Junior
School at Fairholme, and you’d like to preserve it in
the College archives, please contact me.
Jenny Noble | Archives
T 07 4688 4688
E [email protected]
24 | SPRING 2014
Mystery Photo
FOGA DATES TO REMEMBER
THURSDAY 18 September
Friends of Fairholme
FOUNDERS’ DAY 2014
FOGA Catch-up 11am
Luncheon 1pm
Founders’ Day Assembly 2pm
Mystery Photo
Were you a Fairholme Vigoro Star? Can you help us with information regarding the
trophy pictured, with the inscription: The Interhouse Vigoro Championship - Presented
by C & R Penfold.
SATURDAY 18 &
SUNDAY 19 October
SPRING FAIR & REUNION WEEKEND
(including Westpac Fairholme Fashion Week)
SATURDAY 18 October
Fairholme Spring Fair 10am - 4pm
SUNDAY 19 October
All Year Levels Reunion celebrations
Annual Reunion CHURCH SERVICE 9am
Annual Reunion LUNCHEON 11.30am
* See individual Year Level
Reunion details listed on
RSVP Flier enclosed
fairholme families ...X 3 gENERATIONS
Three generations of very proud
Fairholme Girls got together recently
and, very kindly, sent in this lovely
photo (from left):
Kingsley Brimblecombe (Year 4), Mrs
Maxene Proctor (Summers) (1966-67),
and Mrs Paula Brimblecombe (Proctor)
(1987-88).
NB:
Annual Brisbane
FOGA Church Parade
has been rescheduled to
become a bi-annual event >
One of our oldest Old Girls
celebrates a special birthday!
SUNDAY 23 August
2015
St Paul’s
Presbyterian Church
Spring Hill
9.30am
Family and friends gathered together
at the Gold Coast late last year to
celebrate Dorothea (Doss) Hart’s 102nd
birthday. Doss Borland was born on 20th
September, 1911 and attended Fairholme
in 1926.
Have you considered leaving a legacy ?
By creating a Named Bursary, you could provide outstanding
educational opportunities for girls, as well as nurturing
individual students’ interests and talents.
Please contact the Fairholme College Business Office for
further details : T 07 4688 4688
SPRING 2014 | 25
Where
ARE THEY NOW?
FOG Update
On Friday 14 February, the Year 11 and Year 12 English Communication
students attended a presentation by past student Caitlin Holding
(2005-2006). Caitlin is Chief of Staff and a journalist at WIN News
Toowoomba and was invited to speak with the class about investigative
journalism. The aim of the presentation was to improve the students’
understanding of the process used to develop a story of interest and to
understand aspects of being a journalist in television.
After showcasing her talent for Queensland
at the Australian Indoor Cricket
Championships recently, Anna Paton
(2009-2013), was selected into the National
under 20 Women’s team! Anna will travel
to New Zealand in October to play for the
Australian team in the World Cup, with
eight other countries competing in the
competition.
Tenelle Hodson (2003-2009) graduated
from her occupational therapy course
with honours, and this year has had a
research paper published in Disability
and Rehabilitation - an international
multidisciplinary journal, she recently
presented at this year’s Smart Strokes
seminar in Sydney.
The Triathlon Journey of a
Fairholme Old Girl
Fairholme College was my second home
from 1982-1995. I can safely say that
Fairholme had a significant impact on
the person I am today. Fairholme was a
wonderful school that exposed me to so
many different opportunities and gave me
an excellent grounding for life. I was a
hard-working student and participated in
activities and teams when selected. I was
never the best but I always enjoyed the
challenges.
It was encouragement from a friend to
enter my first triathlon that has led me
to find a sport that is so rewarding – in
fact it has been a sport where I have reconnected with other Fairholme Old Girls
who I had not seen for over 15 years!
My triathlon journey has been a crazy ride
and only began less than 2 years ago –
who would have thought a mother of 3,
who works full time and could not ride a
bike would be selected to represent their
country (in age group events) not once,
but twice!
Remember, it is never too late to achieve
your dreams!
http://www.mycause.com.au/page/77460
Hannah Ryan (Leddington-Hill)
(1982-1995)
26 | SPRING 2014
2006 Prefect for Performing Arts, Shannon
Gralow (2005-2006), has studied piano,
dance, voice and violin, and has focused
primarily on music theatre. Her theatrical
experience is highly varied, including
lead roles in Les Miserables, My Fair
Lady (Fairholme College and TGS), Little
Shop of Horrors, Cabaret, Singin’ in the
Rain, Cats, Guys & Dolls, Hairspray and
more recently, the title roles in Dusty:
The Original Pop Diva, and Cinderella.
Shannon is now looking forward to
her forthcoming role as Maria in the
Toowoomba Choral Society’s production
of The Sound of Music. Shannon has
a Bachelor of Music majoring in Violin
Performance, with her musical studies
taking her to destinations such as
North America, Mexico, France, Hungary,
Finland and Wales.
Jayne Davidson (Maloney) (1973-1974)
was part of a group of seven medical
professionals who travelled to Uganda
in June this year, to volunteer their
clinical skills in medical clinics in villages
outside the capital, Kampala.
Maggie Munn (2007-2011) was named
UNICEF Australia Young Ambassador and
is currently volunteering in a year-long
role, speaking out on issues affecting
Australia’s children.
What a year for our FOG Rugby players!
Emily Cherry (2007-2010), NIkki Etheridge
(1997-2004) and Gemma Etheridge (19972004) were all selected in Australia’s
Women’s Rugby sevens team to play in
the 2014 IRB World Series Championship.
In November 2013, Amelia Dowe
(1995-1997) co-ordinated an amazing
‘Art Swap’ with a friend of hers in
Japan, the result of which was the
Strong Children Project, combining
the works of children from Fukushma
and Toowoomba both on the road to
recovery from two very different kinds
of disasters: the Nuclear Reactor Crisis
and the 2011 floods, respectively. The
student works were exhibited at both
the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery
and the Showa Village Community Hall
in Fukushima Prefecture.
Cathy Speed (2008-2012) is studying
at the Academy of Design Australia in
Port Melbourne, and living in the city.
In Cathy’s words: It’s been a very busy
and challenging journey, but I’ve learnt
so much!
Nine stunning women, including some of Australia’s leading actresses, stepped onto the red
carpet wearing Margot McKinney jewellery for the 2014 TV Week Logie Awards. Margot (19651976), who currently lives in New Farm, Brisbane, creates ‘one of a kind’ treasures and takes
great pride in carrying on her family’s 130-year old business.
Jane Flood (1997-2007) recently launched the cooking
website, Marinya Cottage Kitchen, inspiring others to
make a healthy change with her passion for seasonal
wholefood cooking.
Natalie
Wolfenden
Woods (Fisher)
1990-1994) now
operates Woods
Organic farm
and flour mill
at Yelarbon,
Queensland,
with her
husband,
Bryce, where
they create
perfect organic
flours and
live with their
two children,
Brigalow and
Bauhinia.
Toowomba artist and Kontraband
Studios curator, Grace Dewar (20032007), has been very busy of late! Grace, a
former USQ Visual Arts student, assisted in
the development of the ‘First Coat’ project
and has orchestrated five exhibitions in
the new Kontraband studio space in Laurel
Street, Toowoomba.
You may have enjoyed cooking from one
of Jocelyn Parry’s (Hancock) (1982-1983)
recipes featured in the Courier-Mail of
late. Jocelyn, the founder of Jocelyn’s
Provisions, currently works as a food
consultant for David Griffith’s hotel group,
and enjoys regular visits to her ‘second
home’ in Killarney.
Dr Tamara Johansen (Barton) (1988-99)
finished Year 12 with an OP 1 and a
determination to gain entry into Medicine.
When this did not eventuate she was left
to make a decision about a Plan B – which
in her case was Veterinary Science. Dr
Johansen completed her Veterinary Science
Degree and worked in this profession for 5
years before studying Medicine at Griffith
University as a Postgraduate student.
She completed her final year of Medicine
studies in 2013.
Georgie Somerset (Robinson) (1983-1984) has had an
exceptionally busy time of late in her role as President
of the Queensland Rural, Regional and Remote Women’s
Network, member of the board of Children’s Health
Queensland, running local leadership programs for the
South Burnett, co-ordinating Baked Relief projects and,
of course, working on the family’s cattle property – it is
little wonder then, that she earned the title of Women
in Australian Agribusiness 100 (WIAA 100) ‘Outstanding
contributor to rural Australia’ in March 2014.
Former
Fairholme
Drama Captain
Libby Munro
(19991-1998)
always knew
she wanted
a career in
acting, and
her dedication
to her craft
saw her shine in the Queensland Theatre
Company’s 2013 smash hit, Venus in Fur.
Libby quickly moved on to star in the stage
production of Agatha Christie’s A Murder is
Announced, followed up by by a movie role
in Eight. It’s hard to know how she fitted in
her marriage to Angus Gemmell during such
a whirlwind year!
Susie Pini (Marsden) (1991-1995), Sports
Captain 1995, qualified for the ITU Triathlon
World Championships in London and
is competing for PNG where she has
lived with her husband (stationery and
surveying equipment supplies business
owners) and three young children for the
last ten years.
Sarah Stiller (2007-2011) took part in
her local Miss Showgirl competition
over the Easter holidays and was
selected to represent the Wandoan
Show Society at the South West
Regional Sub Chamber finals a few
weeks ago. While Sarah was there
she caught up with Alexandra Hindle
(2006-2008) (pictured at left), who was
representing the Roma Show Society.
Congratulations to Sarah, who was
selected to represent the South West
Region at the State Showgirl Finals at
the Ekka in August.
Since 2008, Heather Kelly (Maltman)
(1954–1966) and her husband David
have been travelling to D.R. Congo
twice a year, for several months at a
time, to work at HEAL Africa, a 155bed Christian Hospital in Goma, also
working with community programs
to help individuals and communities
to restore health, build hope and
help create a better future for all
people of eastern D.R.Congo. One of
Heather’s roles is teaching English to
the Hospital’s French-speaking Doctors
and senior staff, as well as working on
projects reaching out to the vulnerable
women and children in the community.
The work includes meeting with
widows, grandmothers – who often care
for many young children as the middle
generation has died through HIV AIDS or
war – to teaching in HEAL Africa’s two
schools, and the Sunday school.
In Heather’s own words: Little did I
know back in my Fairholme days, that
the senior French lessons with Miss
Cumming would be so beneficial over
40 years later!
Kylie Warrian (1997-2001), Peta McIntyre
(Burgess 1994-1998) and the Cloncurry
community have been a great support to
the McGrath Foundation. Their involvement
in the annual Cloncurry Breast Friends
Day has helped raise over $100,000 for the
charity. Follow the story on FaceBook: #
Breast Friends Day - Cloncurry.
After deciding that she had to ‘do what
she loved’, Meg Hamilton (2008-2012)
auditioned and has been accepted into
the Queensland Conservatorium to study
Musical Theatre.
A lifelong ambition to become a rural
doctor has come to fruition for Sally
Wilkinson (2001-2005) who studied
biomedical science before embarking on
a degree in medicine. Sally is currently
rotating her internship between Warwick
and Toowoomba hospitals.
Fairholme Prefect and Head Girl, Jenny
Wynter (1987-1955) recently featured at the
2014 Brisbane Comedy Festival in A Viking
Tale a shamelessly silly one-woman rock
opera about finding the viking within.
SPRING 2014 | 27
FOGA
gements
Enga
Devenish – Warriner: The engagement
of Michelle Devenish (1993-2003) to
Thomas Warriner was announced
earlier this year.
s
g
n
i
d
d
e
W
Weddings
Weddings
Leisa Anderson (1995-96) married Neil
Davies on 3 May, 2014 at the Preston Village
Chapel, Toowoomba. Leisa and Neil met at
the University of Southern Queensland and
both now work in Toowoomba in their chosen
careers.
Libby Munro (1991-1998) married farmer and
businessman Angus Gemmell and now divides
her time between Sydney and his property in
the NSW Southern Highlands.
Sonya Hain (2007-2008) and Matthew Campbell
were married on 21 March, 2014 at the
Warwick Street Chapel in Toowoomba. The
couple honeymooned at the Gold Coast and
have returned to live in Westbrook.
The engagement of Olivia Playford
(2000-2004) to Stuart Propsting was
announced with much pleasure in
December 2013.
Kelly Lund (1999) and David Williams
announced their engagement earlier
this year.
Kehoe – Rice: The engagement of
Philipa Kehoe (1998-2002) and Stuart
Rice was announced in February this
year.
Lisa Wason (2003-2005) and Nathan
Braden proudly announced in their
engagement in October 2013.
Congratulations to Jayne Gunthorpe
(1997-1999) and Hamish Siddins who
also announced their engagement
this year.
Births
Harriet Claire Couper. Born 9th
September, 2013 in Townsville.
Eagerly awaited 1st child for
Stephanie Couper (Wuth) (2004) and
Leith Couper and 1st Grandchild for
Claire Wuth (Perkins 1974).
28 | SPRING 2014
Grace Wuth (2002-2006), daughter of Claire Wuth
(Perkins) (1968-1974), and Cam Daff were married
on Sunday 17th March, 2013 at Ballandean Estate
Winery, Stanthorpe. Bridesmaids were Stephanie
Couper (Wuth) (2000- 2004),and Maddie Wuth
(2006-2007). Grace and Cam now work and
live in Brisbane. Grace made her dress and the
bridesmaids’ dresses herself.
College Chaplain,
Pastor Richard
Jessup, had
the pleasure of
conducting marriage
ceremonies for the
following FOGs:
Paige Featherstone
(2002- 2007) to
Rowan Anderson
(pictured above) at
Yandina Station on
15 February, 2014;
and Kelly Reinhardt
(2003-2009) to
Andrew Macpherson
(pictured left)
at Preston Peak
Chapel, Toowoomba,
on 7 June, 2014.
Georgia Noakes (1984-1994)
moved to Bundaberg 2 years
ago after travelling extensively
overseas for the last 10 years.
Last year Georgia married Rion
Burgess on their 50-acre property
just north of Bundaberg. She
is stepmum to two ‘awesome’
boys (Darcy 7 and Harry 5),
and Georgie and Rion are
now expecting their first child
together.
Xanthe Eagles (1999-2003) married
Benn Blessing in Sydney in April
2013. The couple became engaged
in Paris in 2012 and returned to
Europe for their honeymoon. They
have made their home in Sydney.
PASSINGS SAD PASSINGS SAD PASSINGS
Ashleigh Althaus (2002-2003) and Jack Sinclair were married on
10 May, 2014, at Brindabella Country Gardens, Highfields.
They started married life with a cruise to North Queensland and
are now living in Toowoomba.
Daphne FACER (JANZ) (1942-1943)
Passed away 24 February 2014
aged 86 years
Irene DALGLIESH (VELLNAGEL)
(1951-52)
Passed away 23 June 2014
Megan Banks (1999-2003) married Dominic Mohr on 21
September, 2013 in Blackall. Fairholme Old Girl Nicole Hawkins
(2002-2003) was one of the bridesmaids.
Margery Elizabeth STOCKLEY
(BENNETT) (1944-1945)
Passed away 18 January 2014
aged 84 years
Florence ‘Molly’ SMART (PROVAN)
(1928)
Passed away 25 June 2014
aged 96 years
Katie Williams (2000-2004) married Geyshan Senanayake on 15
June, 2013 at The Sheraton Mirage on the Gold Coast.
The couple have made their home at the Gold Coast.
Jill WARDROP (JAMIESON)
(1959-1961)
Passed away 24 January 2014
aged 69 years
Helen Anne THORP (1973)
Passed away 25 May 2014
aged 55 years
Lin Taylor (1995-2002) married Andrew Wegener on 4 May, 2013
in the gardens of Gip’s Restaurant.
Niketta Webb (2004-2008) married Benjamin Taylor 27 July, 2013.
Amy Bridle (1994-1998) married Cameron Abrahams in a relaxed
ceremony in the garden of Amy’s family home at Highfields
The couple are now living in Brisbane.
Esther Jane HARRIS (PATTERSON)
(1954-1955)
Passed away 8 November 2013
aged 73 years
Noela Mary LEYDEN (BOX)
(1934-1935)
Passed away 20 December 2013
aged 92 years
Alys May MERCER (HART)
(1939-1940)
Passed away 9 December 2013
aged 89 years
Thelma May LUDER (WENSLEY)
(1934-1935)
Joyce Agnes GRAY (PICKERING)
(1940-1941)
Passed away 22 October 2013
aged 88 years
Rachel McKenzie (1998- 2004) married Thomas Heading on 15
February, 2014, at All Saints Anglican Church before celebrating
with family and friends at Gabbinbar Homestead, Toowoomba.
Fairholme Old Girl Jacinta Bury (Lobwein) (2002-2004) was a
bridesmaid and fellow Old Girls in attendance included Katherine
Marquhart (McClymont), Ann Doljanin (McClymont), Susan
McClymont, Nicole Whitby and Meredith Tweddell. Rachel and Tom
are now living in Melbourne.
Nina Elizabeth INGLIS (DEVINE)
(1961-1962)
Passed away 4 October 2013
aged 69 years
Meredith WADDELL
(1956-63)
Passed away 30 April 2013
aged 66 years
Holly Michele TUCKERMAN
(1984-89)
Passed away 27 August 2013
Beryl COXETER (RANSON) (1937-38)
Passed away 15 May 2013
aged 91 years
Margaret Helen MITTELHEUSER
(1942)
Passed away 27 December 2013
aged 82 years
Bettie LEE (WILD) (1935-37)
passed away 13 March 2013
Joyce FORN (nee PENNINGTON)
(1942)
Passed away in Santa Monica,
Mary Frances Elizabeth WILD (DRIEMEL) California USA in March 2013
(1938-1939)
Audrey DOUGLAS (YEATES) passed
Passed away 21 September 2013
away on 12 April 2013 aged 90.
aged 94 years
Rosemary NICHOLAS (TANNOCK)
(1957-1958)
Passed away 11 August 2013
Gwendolen Rose Mattner (HILL)
(1932-34)
Passed away 5 June 2014
Ruth Timmins NICHOLS (MILNER)
(1964-1968)
Passed away 23 August 2013
aged 62 years
Rev. Corin ‘Nyree’ SVENSON(1938-40)
Passed away 26 February 2014
aged 89 years.
(Nyree Svenson taught commercial
subjects at Fairholme from 19521964, and was Black House Mistress
and Form Mistress for the Junior
Forms. She became a Uniting Church
Minister in 1977. Nyree also served
in WWII as a Corporal in the WAAAF
from March 1943 - August 1945.)
Verna HASS (ROSENBERGER)
(1939-1941) Boarder
Passed away 18 August 2013
aged 88 years
Matilda Antonio (1995 – 2005) married Cameron Schmidt at
Gregory Terrace Chapel, Spring Hill, on 17 November 2012.
The reception was held at Northshore Riverside at Hamilton.
Matilda was attended by Hayley Mason (Robertson) (2001–2005),
and her sisters Michaela Olsen (1995-2002) and Bronte Antonio
(1996-2008). Guests included former Fairholme students Alice
Buttenshaw, Lauren Peacock, Kylie Squelch, Alice Neldner
(Balsillie) and Chloe Criss (Nielsen).
Margaret PEARSON (SCHRODER)
(1953-55)
Passed away 13 July 2013
aged 75 years
Ada Beatrice BAMBLING (GRIMES)
(1942-1949)
Passed away 13 December 2013
aged 81 years
Brenda Joan BOARD (MEARES)
(1933-34)
Passed away 27 May 2014
aged 94 years
* Errors and omissions from
Sad Passings in Winter 2013 edition:
1. Lyndal Fiechntner (Harwood)
(1961-65)
2. Retraction of Mrs Lynette Ann Gordon (not deceased)
SPRING 2014 | 29
THANKS!
FOGA
reunions
20 years
2013
From the Alumni Team
Reflections, reminiscings and
Fairholme Spirit in spades!
More than once during my time in this role, I
have heard the addage:
‘Fairholme girls can do anything’... and after
compliling this edition of the FOCUS on Fairholme
FOGA pages, this is an understatement!
2013
The class of 1993 had the most fabulous weekend celebrating their 20-year
reunion, starting with a casual get-together at the Spotted Cow Hotel on Friday 18
October and then a most enjoyable cocktail evening at GPO Cafe, Toowomba. All
agreed they needed to do it again soon!
Reunion Co-ordinator | Louise Brown (Wall)
30 years
2013
5 years
2013
Laura Wilson has been very busy of late: She organised a 5-year
Fairholme reunion at her home in Brisbane in October 2013,
with 27 girls attenting, including: Annika Bell, Cate Duncan,
Georgie Cameron, Kassandra Bailey, Alli Ogg, Teagan Hartwig,
Laura Wilson, Heidi Begg, Tori McGregor, Min Simmons, Shantinie
Murphy, Nanci Rose Taylor, Natalie Norris, Sara Kuzma, Laura
Turton, Sam Tennant, Hannah Roth, Emily Swalling, Emily
Fulwood, Georgia Dight, Brooke Armstrong, Brooke Barkla, Bianca
Maree, Ash Miller, Jo Crawley and Marlene Hu.
Pictured left at the Metro Cafe on Saturday 19 October
celebrating their 30-year reunion are:
Back row L-R: Karyn Milne, Wendy Cocks (Luscombe),
Melissa Perkins (Bisley), Jenny Bisley (Mortlock), Robyn
Herron (Wallace), Maree Pearce (Walker), Jocelyn Jannusch
(McCosker), Margaret Ward (Comerford), Rosie Caswell (Lee)
Middle row L-R: Catherine Wormwell (O’Dwyer), Tanya
Knauer, Nicola Knight (McDonald), Katrina Jordan (Ainsbury),
Kim Cross (Radke)
Front(kneeling): Naomi Lowe, Dorothy Lawson (Lethbridge),
Sharon Hunt, Anne Ash (Brampton), Lyndal Wallace (McPhie)
Reunion Co-ordinator | Naomi Lowe
Old Girls
re-unite
in London
50 years
2013
Heather
Harrison
(Snow) and
Lorna (Joey)
Roberts Class of 1958,
catching up
at Canary
Wharf, London,
September 2013.
2013
Pictured above at Angelo’s House, Toowoomba, are the very cheery class of 1963 enjoying celebrating 50 years since their time at Fairholme. A great
evening was had by all, following some ‘catching up of classmates’ at the Spring Fair earlier on the afternoon of Saturday 19 October.
Reunion Co-ordinators | Susan Goodwin (Corfe) and Jan Bimrose (Spencer)
30 | SPRING 2014
We love hearing of FOG achievements here
in the Alumni Office, and it gives me great
pleasure to see this edition bursting with news
and successes of our very loyal past students.
Thanks so much to those who keep in touch,
we really appreciate it!
We also appreciate the work of our
hardworking re-union co-ordinators. Each year,
I am amazed by the energy and enthusiasm
of those who devote their time to getting our
‘girls’ back together.
be suitably cared for and acknowledged,
thanks to our Archivist, Mrs Jenny Noble.
Thanks also to our growing body of ‘Archives
Volunteers’ – combined with the recently
installed ‘Mosiac’ Archives database, accessing
is much easier. If you have any Fairholme
Memoriabilia lurking in the cupboard at home,
and think that you might like to pass it on,
please be assured that your treasures will
We look forward to seeing you at this year’s
Spring Fair Reunion weekend, or, please
contact us to arrange a visit at any time
during the year - we’d love to see you!
Jo Glasheen | Publications, Promotions
& Alumni
2014
In April 2014, Laura Wilson also managed to catch up with
Liz Correy, Ellen Adams, Heidi Begg, Mel Simmons and
George Dight in Brisbane for dinner. Laura’s words were,
‘It was such a nice night. None of us could believe we are
now 5 years out of school, crazy!!!’
20 years
2014
On 12 April at Cove Bar and Dining,
Southbank, 39 ladies from all across
the globe overlooked the Brisbane
River and caught up on the last 20
years and where they have taken
us. A lot of laughter and fun was
had by all ladies and we reminisced
on our time at Fairholme all those
years ago. Friendships were made
during our school years and it was
so lovely to see that they are still going strong and that many are friends for life.
We have doctors, engineers, business analysts, media advisors, artists,
principals, business owners, managers, teachers, veterinarians, Medical
Laboratory Scientists and a lot of mothers!
A very happy and successful group of women graduated from Fairholme College
in 1994, and I am proud to be one of them.
Megan Lever (Lakin) | Reunion Co-ordinator
30 years
2014
For those who were unable to make the gathering in Brisbane, please note that
Skye Duggan (Douglas) is organising a table at this year’s SPRING FAIR Reunion
Luncheon. Please see flier enclosed.
The class of 1984 celebrated their 30-year reunion in style on 25-27 July, at the stunning Noosa Valley Manor B & B retreat, owned and operated
by Renate Bowden (1982-1984). The ladies enjoyed a delicious dinner on Saturday evening, and more catch-up time on Sunday in the relaxing
surrounds. Again, for those unable to make the gathering in July, a table is being organised for the class of 1984 at the 2014 SPRING FAIR Reunion
Luncheon. Please see flier enclosed, and contact the Alumni Office for further information: [email protected]
Megan Daniels | Reunion Co-ordinator (visit our Class of ‘84 Facebook page!)
SPRING 2014 | 31
*Disclaimer
All the information presented in this magazine is published
in good faith and for general information purposes only.
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of
the information supplied herein, Fairholme College cannot
be held responsible for any errors or omissions.
Compiled by:
Fairholme Colllege Publications and Promotions Office
Fairholme College, Toowoomba Q 4350
Images:
Mr John Sessarago, Fairholme Archives and
Fairholme Old Girls
Fairholme
Residential Address
Wirra Wirra Street Toowoomba Q 4350
Postal Address
PO Box 688 Toowoomba Q 4350
T 07 4688 4688
F 07 4688 4694
E [email protected]
www.fairholme.qld.edu.au
Registered Provider (QLD): Fairholme College (Toowoomba) Pty Ltd CRICOS Provicer Code: 00651J
ABN 78 096 814 130
College
TOOWOOMBA