Crosslinks 2013 - Clonard College

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Crosslinks 2013
principal’s report
Dear Old Collegians,
At the end of last year we notified
our College community of our
successful purchase of half of the
former Western Heights Minerva
Road Campus. The development
of this land is well underway and
will be complete by Term 1, 2014.
This acquisition has enabled us to
double the land of Clonard area
from 1.5 to 3 hectares. I would
like to acknowledge the careful
stewardship of the Brigidine Sisters
and past administrators of the
College whose careful management
of College resources has enable
both of these projects to become a
reality.
Recently we gathered as a College
community to acknowledge the
student leaders of 2013. As I
listened to the speeches from our
College Captains Abbey Hanson and
Stephanie Briskoska, it was obvious
to all gathered the genuine love
that our Captains have for their
school. It is my hope, that just like
our Captains, you a past student
still hold a deep appreciation for all
that Clonard gave to you. A number
of times I’ve talked to the students
about the fact that you don’t have to
love school, but that it is important
that they develop a love of Clonard.
Being a student today is not an easy
task. There are many pressures that
young people are faced with as they
negotiate their journey through a
complex web of pressure. At the
same time, it is important that we
celebrate all that is good in each
and every one of the students in
our care. I hope that each challenge
met is a learning experience that
has helped shape our girls into more
resilient young people and that the
giftedness of all is recognised and
celebrated.
As we reach the end of another
wonderful year I give thanks for
all the blessings bestowed on our
community. I feel very fortunate
to be part of Clonard College and
to have the opportunity to get to
know and appreciate our students
(both past and present), parents
and community. The support and
compassion for others that people
show on a daily basis is truly
inspiring.
As in past years, I have been again
been filled with wonderment and
awe at the sheer depth of talent we
have here at the college. I have seen
students rise to the occasion and be
We intend to keep the College
moving forward, ensuring that we
further develop our facilities, but
at the same time that we nature
our core purpose of providing our
students with the best possible
learning and pathway opportunities
for their success.
rightly proud of their efforts. Many of
the events held throughout the year
have shone a light on outstanding
student efforts, whether it be in
academic excellence, performance,
sport, music, public speaking and
debating or undertaking various
forms of community service and
social justice projects.
This year will mark a significant time
in the history of Clonard College.
The physical development of the
College has changed to provide
the best and most current facilities
for all students. Our new Yr. 8 & 9
building was completed at the end of
November. We have been fortunate
to receive a Commonwealth
Government Grant of 2.45 million
dollars that in conjunction with our
own resources has resulted in the
erection of some fantastic learning
spaces for our students for many
years to come.
We look forward to the official
opening of the new buildings and
grounds that will take place in May
this year. I hope that I will have
the opportunity to welcome you
back to the College into the future
to witness the changes that have
taken place. I would especially like
to encourage those past graduation
classes (64, 74, 84, 94 and 2004)
to join us in the reunion that will
take place on March the 22nd (3pm6pm). In recent years the success
of these reunions has grown and I
would encourage you to come and
reminisce about your school days.
I trust that your will enjoy reading
Crosslinks and thank you for your
continued support of our College.
Damian McKew
Principal
clonard staff
Life (for teachers) after Clonard
Farewell to Sister Reba Woodwiss
You may be interested to know that
quite a few retired teachers from
Clonard gather regularly to have
lunch together near the beginning
of each term.
Quietly working away in the
background, Sister Reba has been
a constant link between school
and our families for six years. She
made many home visits to our Year
7 families, drank numerous cups of
tea and listened while our families
shared their stories. When a family
was in crisis Reba unobtrusively
organised the support they needed.
Many will not know that Reba was
the last Brigidine Principal at Clonard
in 1982. With a deep a passion for
education, art and young people,
Reba has shared her expertise
and talents with the Brigidine
Community for over 50 years.
The group includes teachers who
retired from as far back as the early
1990s right up to recent retirees. It
may disappoint you to know that
we do not spend all our time talking
about individual students - though
there is much reminiscing about
camps, excursions and amusing
incidents which have happened to
all of us over the years.
Usually, there is much discussion of
overseas holidays and grandchildren,
with photos frequently supplied.
Most of us are also involved in either
part-time or volunteer work and it is
fascinating to reflect on the various
paths that we have all followed in
the years after retirement. However,
few of us volunteer to correct essays
or to go on overnight bus trips to
Canberra with Year 10s!
The one common bond which we all
have is the memory of the times we
shared at Clonard and the affection
that we hold for the school, for
those with whom we worked and for
the students we tried to guide and
assist. We all agree that we do not
miss report writing, staff meetings
or correction but we do look
nostalgically back on the wonderful
working relationship most of us had
with our students.
Apart from those in the photos
from our most recent gathering,
others who frequently join us
include Ros Barrow, Lee McGregor,
Ros Leishman, Chris Scheisser, Jill
Everist, Raye Pearson, Loma Howell,
Lynne Meek and John Shannon.
Alan Hubbard
Slainte mhor agus a h-uile
beannachd duibh
Good health and every good
blessing to you!
May the rains sweep gentle across
your fields,
May the sun warm the land,
May every good seed you have
planted bear fruit,
And late summer find you standing
in fields of plenty.
Clonard was blessed when Reba
accepted the Family Liaison position
at Clonard, as she brought genuine
care and concern for our families
with her. Steeped in the Brigidine
traditions, she welcomed the most
vulnerable, engendered a sense of
purpose and practised justice and
service.
Reba undertook the journey from
Malvern to Geelong two days a
week. No mean feat when you
consider that she was a very active as
a member of the Brigidine Victorian
Province Leadership Group and the
Brigidine Care Group.
As a spiritual woman and an artist
Reba has created many designs in
the Celtic tradition, that celebrate
St. Brigid and our Irish Catholic
heritage. Even though she is leaving
us, her legacy will live on in the
stained glass windows she has
offered to design for Clonard’s new
chapel.
On behalf of Clonard Community we
thank Reba for the care, compassion
and kindness she has shown towards
our students and their families.
We wish her all the best and thank
her for the years of dedication to,
and enthusiasm for all things Brigid.
former teachers pictured:
Mark Herd, Bill Dickson, Kevin Flanders, Alan Hubbard, Anne Monk,
Robyn Rogers, Helen Barber, Sue
Jennings, Don Lyne, Kaye Volpato,
Marg O’Loughlin, Rosemary McCoy
and Marg Phelan.
‘13 reunions
1. Class of 2003
On Saturday April 20, 2013 members
of the classes of 2003, 1993, 1983,
1973 and 1963 were invited back to
Clonard for a reasonably infomal get
together in the Year 12 Independent
Learning Centre.
Class of 2003
Many members of this group are featured throughout this edition of the
Clonard Crosslinks. Weddings, babies
and work / life stories are featured.
2003 - Left to Right
Catherine Taylor, Katherine Goss,
Sarah Martin, Mia Kucic, Carly Price,
Olivia Darbyshire, Kristy Higgins,
Morgan Connoley, Abbey Kinnane
and Kirra Hutchings.
Class of 1993
What an incredible trip down memory
lane our twenty year reunion turned
out to be.
The highlight of which was the tour
led by the 2013 school leaders. With
each visit to the different class rooms
memories of our school days came
flooding back. A special moment was
seeing the art mural that today is
outside the Year Ten block which was
made by students from our year, in
1988.
It was amazing to see the continuing
development of the school, with new
buildings at every turn. We were
quite envious of the resources that
the students now enjoy, with its own
theatre and music centre. We were
also surprised to learn that the School
now has its own Twitter account!
What was lovely, however, was to
know that what made our school so
special twenty years ago remains.
These include the strong sense
of community and pride that the
students have in their school.
We would like to thank the Clonard
Community Relations Committee
and school leaders for hosting such a
wonderful event. With special thanks
to our teachers who attended. It was
lovely to be able to say thanks for all
that you taught us during our school
years.
Thanks also to Marika Stirling
(Coverdale), Jessica Galle and
Michelle Bennett for their efforts in
organising a very special unofficial
reunion. To the students from the
class of 1993 who were unable to
attend this reunion, we look forward
to catching up with you in 2023!
1993 - Left to Right
Maria Nicholls (Fama), Belinda
Pleasance (Carroll), Andrea Marcus
(Spurlings), Lucy Spanswick (Meade),
Katie Hyder, Annetta Turcinov (Paul),
Renee Owens (Smitten), Michelle
Wilson (Williams), Louise Thorley,
Georgie Pavlak, Jessica Galle, Marika
Stirling (Coverdale), Eleanor Mason,
Carmella Barbaro, Karen Hammond,
Tamy Stubley, Kate Farley (Russell),
Tanya Harry, Melissa Ee.
Class of 1983
1983 - Left to Right
Karen O’Brien & Leonie Rushbrook.
Class of 1963
1963 - Left to Right
Chris Primus (Hickey) younger
sister of Meg but not in 1963 Class,
Meg Wilkie (Hickey). 2nd row:
Irene Morgan (O’Keeffe), Mary
Higginbotham (Quigley), Michelle
Stokie (McDonald). Front row: Sondra
Mansbridge (Whitney), Krystyna
Parker (Kulisz), Patricia Hall (Wood),
Anne Marie Power.
2. Class of 1993
3. Class of 1983
O’Keeffe family
Irene, Patricia, Evelyn, Maureen and
Carmel with Michael and Danny O’Keeffe.
Our combined time at Clonard would
have ranged from 1958 to 1982.
5. O’Keeffe family
4. Class of 1963
25 years out
1.
Sat 26th October, 2013
Elephant & Castle
Claudine (Antony) Anderson - The
reunion was a great night, catching up
with the girls for our 25th Reunion.
The only problem was that the night
ended too quickly. We all had loads of
laughs and its always nice to hear what
everyone’s up to these days. Claudine
is happily living in Geelong with hubby
and 3 kids. Enjoying life.
Kim Hough - I live in Barwon Heads with
my beautiful family, partner & three
kids. I have a hairdressing business at
home & enjoy life and love having fun!
Jo (McIntosh) Primrose - Happy living in
Brisbane with hubby and 4 children.
Allison Murphy - Founded Geelong
strategy firm RedStick in 2004. Living in
Geelong and married with twins who
are off to school next year.
Nicole (Buckley) Long - Team Leader
in Early Years at the Surf Coast Shire,
married with two children living the
dream in Ocean Grove.
Cynthia Salmons - Busy fighting the
fight!, working as an Industrial Relations
Organiser for the ANMF (Australian
Nurses and Midwifery Federation VB)
and of course mum of 4.
Carolyn (McFarlane) Keast - Primary
School Teacher at St Patrick’s Geelong
West, teaching Grades P-6 Physical
Education. Married with three children.
Tania (Truswell) Huxtable - Married
with 3 gorgeous children and enjoying
everything life is offering me. Loved
catching up with the class of 1988,
none of us have changed. Always a
great laugh to be had with wonderful
bunch of girls.
Mandy (Saffin) Vandenburg - Working
for Karingal and Matchworks for the
past 11 years. Married for 21 years with
3 wonderful kids.
Michele (Letizia) Lehpamer - married
with 2 children. Works in the Fashion
industry. Recently lived in Shanghai,
China & now living in Melbourne.
Melissa (Slaymaker) Layton - lives in
Geelong with hubby and two kids. She
hasn’t changed a bit and is still as cute
as ever.
Tracey Christian - Lives in Geelong with
her 3 children. Working in the nursing
profession.
Joanne (Payne) Carter, - Lives in Sydney
with her husband and two teenage
children, after spending 15 years in Mt.
Gambier. Also a partner in 3 pharmacies
and feels blessed to have time to enjoy
new opportunities.
Nicole (Anderson) Harrison, Donna
Rowe and 1988 school captain Annette
Lynch are all living London, England.
Annette lives and teaches History in a
secondary school in East London.
3.
Photo 1.
Joanne (MacIntosh), Dennise O’Loghlen,
Melissa (Slaymaker), Joanne (Payne),
Tania (Truswell) & Kim (Hough).
Photo 2.
Dennise O’Loghlen, Debbie Russell,
Tania (Truswell), Michelle (Letizia),
Janet Kolotelo, Nicole (Buckley) &
Sharon (Sells).
Photo 3.
Kim (Hogue), Gabriella (Pedretti),
Cynthia (Salmon), Debbie (Wilson),
Mandy (Saffin) & Melissa (Slaymaker).
Photo 4.
Debbie (Wilson), Allison (Murphy),
Sharon (Sells), Debbie Russell & Michele
(Letizia).
Photo 5.
Left Joanne (MacIntosh), Claudine
(Antony), 5 at back: Melissa (Slaymaker),
Gabriella (Pedretti), Kim (Hough),
Joanne (Payne), Sharon (Sells), 3 in
front: Tracey Christian, Michele (Letizia),
Melissa Kozaczek.
4.
sr. kate o’neill
KRISTMAS FOR KUYA SPEECH:
“We must not seek the child Jesus in the
pretty figures of our Christmas cribs. We
must seek him in the undernourished
children who have gone to bed at night with
nothing to eat; amongst the poor children
who will sleep covered with newspapers in
doorways”.
These challenging and prophetic words
were uttered by Archbishop Oscar Romero,
a champion and later martyr for the poor, at
one of his Christmas homilies in El Salvador.
The theme of our gathering tonight is a
Christmas one.
I think you would agree with me that we
have often wrapped Christmas up into
a bundle of commercial, emotional and
sentimental baggage, and in so doing have
lost the gift of Christmas - the seeking of the
child Jesus.
We seek the child Jesus so that we may find
him and allow him to be born into our lives
and into our world.
Over the last eight years or so we in the
Cluster have had a partnership with the
Columbans in the Philippines and, more
recently, with Sr Kate O’Neill, Our Lady of
the Missions Sisters and the Kuya Centre.
One of the aims of the Partnership is that
it is a gift for each one of us here, - the
opportunity to seek out, as Oscar Romero
challenged the Church of his time and us
today, the child Jesus in the poor. Over that
time the Pastoral Cluster has provided you
with a long litany of opportunities to be
engaged.
There have been a variety of dinners, guest
speakers, Masses, Cluster days, the five-day
program where two boys and two social
workers from Kuya were sponsored to come
to Australia, inservices, school activities and,
of course, the ‘immersion’ experience into
this world of the poor.
In the ‘immersion’ experience, which was
only for a short period of time, we smelt
the stench of crowded streets, we heard
the cry of the poor and saw the desolating
environment in which so many people
lived, but which hadn’t extinguished these
people’s hope.
Again, quoting Oscar Romero, there are
some things that can only be seen through
eyes that have cried.
Tonight is another opportunity and privilege
to listen to someone who has spent her life,
not only seeking out but caring, nurturing,
supporting and providing opportunities for
the present-day child Jesus in our midst, and
hopefully our source of inspiration for each
of us to be more actively engaged in our
Partnership.
It is my pleasure to briefly introduce Sr Kate
O’Neill to you.
Sr Kate is a local girl. She grew up in Herne
Hill and attended Our Lady’s (now Holy
Spirit) Primary School, then Clonard College.
After HSC she completed her teacher’s
training at Aquinas College. In her teacher
training rounds she taught at St Pat’s with
Kath Wright, who is with us tonight, and at
St Anthony’s. She taught in Traralgon at St
Gabrielle’s Primary School for 2 years.
In 1992 Kate went to New Zealand to begin
her formation as a Sister of Our Lady of the
Missions. She stayed in New Zealand for 11
years, earning a degree in social work. Her
work meant she was engaged in a whole
variety of social work, including working
amongst those with AIDS, at a time when
AIDS sufferers were very much treated
as outcasts and lepers of the time. Often
her time was spent journeying with young
people to their death.
Sr Kate then spent five years in Christchurch
working with the street youth - young people
with no supportive family structures and
whose lives had been marred and damaged
by drugs, violence and the gang world.
In 2002 Kate returned to Australia for her
Final Profession at Holy Spirit Church. Then
onto the Philippines. If New Zealand sounds
like a difficult and demanding mission field,
then the Philippines is more so.
Kate will now speak to us of some of her
experiences in the Philippines but, more
importantly, the children who have been
part of that experience.
Father Gerard Keith.
Sister Kate O’Neill
After learning some Filipino language
(Tagalog) Kate became immersed in the
lives of street children in Manila. In 20022003 she worked with Bahay Tuluyan, an
NGO for street children. During this time she
led the street team comprising of a social
worker and educators in providing nonformal education to children on the streets.
Challenges with corruption, child trafficking
and extreme destitution were part of daily
work.
In 2004 Kate transferred to work for another
NGO in Manila, namely Kuya Center for
Street Children. Here she is engaged
predominantly in the street and community
based programs. Meeting children in their
environment on the streets and earning
their trust is the only way to encourage
children to transform their lives. Children
are counselled and accompanied as they
rehabilitate from solvent abuse and resocialise so as to be able to enter formal
education opportunities.
Kate was elected leader of her Religious
Congregation in the Philippines in 2009.
This role saw her accompanying her fellow
RNDM Sisters as they minister to the Filipino
people in both areas of Luzon and Mindanao.
Each of these areas has distinct challenges,
Mindanao being marred by continual war.
In 2012 Kate returned to Kuya Center
where a dream of assisting families of
street children has evolved. Together with
Sr Claudia Stecker RNDM from Canada, the
Sisters have begun a micro finance program
whereby families who live on the streets are
provided with training and financial loans
to begin small businesses. In breaking the
cycle of destitution, Kate hopes the number
of children living life on the street will be
minimised.
Dignity and respect are rights which need to
be accorded to all people. It is Kate’s hope
that those born into extreme poverty and
who continually face the challenges of living
in areas where trafficking and selling oneself
to assist in survival, may be granted these
basic rights.
aine & rachel
GEELONG ROSE: Aine Mullahy
(Clonard Student 2004 – 2009)
This year I took part in the international
festival called the ‘Rose of Tralee’. This is
a celebration of Irish culture and heritage
based on the old Irish song that spouts
the virtues of being lovely and fair, while
also identifying a woman’s personality,
a key part of the perfect woman. The
festival has been happening annually for
over 50 years and the winner is chosen
for her personality, and her ability
to be a good role model for modern
young women with an Irish heritage. It
thankfully does not include the bathing
suit section, like most competitions.
I can honestly say whilst growing
up watching the Rose of Tralee and
picking my favourite I never thought I
would have had this opportunity, and
I can’t thank everyone enough for the
support they gave me. Being a part of
the Melbourne Rose of Tralee I was so
surprised by the deep connections that I
formed quickly with the other girls, all of
whom are amazing and I do not envy the
judges in having to make the decision to
choose just one girl.
I was approached by the Geelong Irish
Society who recommended that I enter
to represent Geelong in this Melbourne
event. This gave me the opportunity to
compete with 10 other girls for the title
of the Melbourne Rose of Tralee.
For me this competition was a wonderful
way to connect with my heritage of both
my mother and father’s family most of
whom still live in Ireland. In preparation
for the event I had to prepare a ‘talent’.
This offered me the opportunity to
reconnect with my childhood hobby of
Irish dancing.
The winner of the Melbourne Rose
of Tralee was announced at a Gala
Ball at the Regent Plaza Ballroom in
Melbourne. This was an opportunity
for all the Roses’ sponsors, family and
friends to show their support. This was
a wonderful night where everyone
was able to get all dressed up and to
be able to enjoy themselves. In order
for the judges to be able to judge the
personality of each of the entrants we
participated in several other evenings
including an interview, group dinner and
cocktail evenings.
This experience has left me with some
wonderful friends who all share one
thing, an Irish background. This has
also given me a new found confidence
about being myself in all situations and
conquering my nerves when public
speaking, whilst also taking me out
of my comfort zone and loving every
minute of it.
In November and December of 2010,
I went on Clonard and St Joseph’s
World Challenge trip to Vietnam and
Cambodia. The trip was made up of
different phases, one of them being
community service. As part of this phase
we worked at Kais Village, an orphanage
in rural Cambodia. I was really moved by
my time spent at Kais Village and the
children that I met and I vowed to go
back.
This year I am having a gap year after
graduating from Clonard in 2012. In
August I am travelling back to Kais
Village for three months where I will live
and volunteer at the orphanage. I will
teach English at the on-site school and
also run kindergarten sessions for the
younger children. Education is a large
emphasis of the work of the orphanage,
as they realise that it is a vital component
of escaping the poverty cycle. I will also
be involved with coordinating some
World Challenge groups that will visit
during my time at the orphanage.
I plan to visit an HIV Outreach Centre
run by KaisKids, the same organisation
that runs the orphanage. It includes a
daycare centre providing a safe place
for the children to drop by, have a bath,
do homework, play and eat a nutritious
meal! Altogether KaisKids benefits over
300 children and it is a privilege to be
able to share my time and abilities with
a small number of them!
Rachel Van Zetten
A couple weeks ago, Rachel Van Zetten,
our College Dux from last year, was
awarded a Premier’s Prize for her
outstanding achievements, especially
in Health and Human Development.
Congratulations to her, her family and
to her HD teacher in 2012, Mrs Evelyn
Dawson.
We have asked her to tell you a little
more of her exciting plans for the rest
of the year:
Of the 65 children at Kais Village, not
all of them are orphans. Some have
been removed from their parents by
social services, and others have been
left there as their parents can’t afford
to look after them. A lot of babies,
especially premature ones are taken to
the orphanage. A large number of the
children have disabilities that require
medical attention their birth parents
can’t offer them. They are all such
beautiful, friendly and appreciative
children that regardless of the challenges
they have faced maintain such a positive
outlook on life! I know that despite living
in quite primitive conditions (including
no hot water!) my time at the orphanage
will be so rewarding and the kids will
teach me just as much, if not more, than
I ever could teach them!
larnie hewat
I’m not really sure what I expected when I
left for Kenya. I do remember going in with
an open mind and heart, willing to learn and
experience. I couldn’t tell you why it was
Kenya, but since I landed my first job during
Year 9 I knew I was saving to go there in my
GAP year. And suddenly that GAP year was
here.
I arrived in Nairobi on the first day of May
and was collected from the airport by the
volunteer agency I had chosen (after many
endless procrastinated hours of research
during Year Twelve). The forty-five minute
drive from the airport, through Nairobi, to
my placement was an experience in itself I have never witnessed traffic that intense,
nor driving as terrifying! I’m not lying when
I say I was relieved when we finally arrived at
Happy Life Children’s Home for Abandoned
Babies. This was a small property amongst
other residential apartment buildings off an
unsealed road. It was home to around sixty
children and for the next six weeks it would
be my home, too.
The first few days were hard. I struggled. I
hadn’t anticipated it, but I think for the first
time I experienced culture shock. I was
completely overwhelmed by everything.
I had almost no experience with babies
and only five of the older children spoke
English so communication was a challenge.
However everyone was so patient and lovely
the eventually I began to find my feet. There
were another two volunteers at the home,
young newly weds from the USA, who were
incredible and quickly became my close
friends. They were so accommodating and
really helped with my transition into the
home. After one week I had learnt all the
names of the babies in Infant A (newborn to
six months), how to make formula milk and
how to tie a clean nappy (without passing
out from the stench of the dirty one before).
My days began to fall around the three first
feeds and nappy changes of the day, before
spending the afternoon with the older kids.
Five of the children were old enough to go
to school outside the home so spoke fluent
English. If they needed it we would also
help them with their homework. Picking up
a few Swahili phrases also went a long way
to help with interacting with the other kids,
who seemed to have an endless supply of
energy.
Along the way I came to learn more about
each of the children’s stories and how they
came to be at Happy Life. Other children
were also admitted while I was there. Some
of these stories were truly heartbreakingbabies dropped in latrines, left wrapped
in garbage bags by the side of the road,
abandoned in hotel rooms. It was such a
comforting thought to know that after such
a terrible start in life these kids were now
safe and loved, and would have a bright
future. All too quickly I was saying (a rather
teary) goodbye to all children and staff,
leaving for my next project. What a change
of scenery this would bring.
For the following five weeks I lived with a
Masai family in the village of Suswa. The
village was about four hours from Nairobi
and had no electricity or running water.
Families all lived in manyattas (traditional
Masai clay home) except for one. Veronica,
her three daughters and grandbaby lived in
a tin shed with a dirt floor, boarding as walls
to separate the few rooms of the home and
a simple cloth hang in the place of doors.
Veronica and her girls were very generous
and welcomed me into their family for the
time I would be in Suswa. On my first night
with them, as we sat in the lounge by the
light of single portable lamp, dinner cooking
over the single fire, Veronica gave me a
Masai name, Naserian (peace). This was the
name by which the kids of Empaash Primary
School came to know me.
I would make the hour long walk with my
homestay sisters to the school each morning,
where I taught grade five and six English and
Maths. This was not easy. Despite all lessons
at the school being delivered in English
the kids spoke very little of the language.
Corporal punishment was also used often by
the permanent staff members. I found this
very difficult to accept, and when I came to
learn that it had actually been criminalised
in Kenya I was furious. But it was hard,
because I was not in a position to be able
to say anything about it. It came up in a few
discussions with teachers, and when it did I
openly expressed that it was not something
I agreed with, but the staff would then
argue there was no other way to discipline
the children. I would beg to differ. This was
something that definitely never appeared
in my classroom. Some things which did
however were basic stationary items. With
money I had been kindly donated before
travelling to Kenya I bought each of the
students an exercise book, blue and black
pen, greylead, eraser, sharpener and ruler. I
was blown away by the reception from the
children. They literally clapped when I told
them I had bought them each something,
even before they knew what it was. As I
called each child to collect their stationary
set one at a time, I was overwhelmed by
their gratitude. I saw kids sharpening their
brand new pencils, not because a new pencil
needs to be sharpened, but because these
were things they had never had before
and it was therefore exciting. This level
of appreciation for these simple items is
something you would never see back home.
I think perhaps one of the greatest learning
experiences I took form this trip was the
value of education. It is truly a powerful
tool, both in empowering an individual and
in striving to overcome the poverty cycle.
It is something that millions of children
crave, and yet due to their circumstances,
is likely never to become a reality for them.
If anything, my time in Kenya definitely
cemented within in me my commitment to
use my education to help those who can’t
access one, to speak up for those who can’t
be heard and to do my part to see the end of
extreme poverty in my life time. I continue
to treasure the memories of my time in
Kenya. I think about it and the children
more than I would have thought possible. I
miss them immensely and continue to keep
in touch with the staff who became my
friends and my family from Suswa.
morgan, sarah & jess
My name is Morgan Connoley and I
graduated from Clonard in 2003…
Throughout my years as Clonard I was
always an ‘art student’ and have since gone
on to complete a Bachelor of Visuals Arts –
majoring in Graphic Design. Initially I wanted
to move and settle in Melbourne, but I wound
up landing a job (and a man!) in Geelong. I
work at a boutique creative agency in central
Geelong and 2013 marked my 6th year with
the company.
I am also an illustrator …
and have spent the better part of the last 3
years exhibiting, collaborating and developing
my style and I am proud to say that I now
consider my self both a professional designer
AND artist. I have my artwork stocked in
galleries, shops and cafes around Geelong,
Melbourne, Regional Victoria, Interstate and
more recently - internationally.
But it hasn’t been an easy road …
In 2007 (my first year out of University) at
the age of 22 I was diagnosed with Crohn’s
disease. Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory
condition that attacks the gastrointestinal
tract. It is a chronic, long-term medical
condition which to date – has no cure. Three
of my family members also suffer from
Crohn’s. The five years that followed were
spent juggling medications, diets, disgusting
tasting liquids and countless blood tests and
scans. I had severe pain and nausea on a daily
basis, I lost 7 kgs and I was anemic so I had
little energy to get out of bed – let alone go
to work!
Just last year it all came to a head …
June 1st 2012 I returned home from a ‘round
the world’ trip of a lifetime. I was taken
straight into emergency with ‘suspected
appendicitis’. Scans that followed confirmed
that the severe pain that I was experiencing
was actually my bowel perforating…!
I was admitted to hospital again …
on the morning of July 25th 2012. The name
of my surgery was ‘Bowel Resection without
Stoma’. Approximately 19cm of my bowel
was removed and my intestines rejoined.
How do I feel now?
Like a person without Crohn’s! I’m
now officially in ‘Crohn’s remission’! Its
unbelievable, for five years I have been
unable to indulge in the things most people
take for granted: bread, nuts, spices, seeds,
apples, ‘stalky’ vegetables, alcohol even
coffee would set me off.
These days I forget that I have Crohn’s. I’m a
busy person and amongst juggling my day job
and my career as an artist I am also building a
house and after getting engaged just 2 weeks
ago I am now planning a wedding!
Who Am I?
I started Clonard College with lots of nerves
as a Year 7 Red student in 1994 (quite some
time ago now). With the likes of Mr. Hubbard
as my English teacher and Sister Jude guiding
me through Maths and Science. At the Year 7
camp at Santa Monica I dressed up as a karate
student (in an outfit made from wallpaper)
for a ‘Ribbit’ book presentation. Year 7 flew
by in a heartbeat.
names on the school website, I was a little
nervous to be walking through the gates and
making my return. It didn’t take long to feel
comfortable, as my face was recognized by
a few in the staff room. I shadowed Louise
Davies for two weeks in the Art rooms. The
first few days I had to occasionally glance
down at my clothes to remind myself I was
not actually a student. It was bizarre to be
sitting in the same room I had sat in so many
times before; surrounded by a uniform I also
wore for six years. I’m sure if I closed my eyes
with the sound of Mrs. Davies’ voice and the
smell of the ceramics room it would have
been like I had just entered a time warp.
Year 8 was the year when we all thought
we were pretty good, established strong
friendships. I loved the lessons in R.E. when
we could all lie on the floor and meditate to
the sounds of chirping birds, cool breezes and
Sister Jude’s voice. It was also the year that
we discovered that if we cut our erasers into
tiny little cubes they would aerodynamically
cut through the air and generally bounce on
the desk of the person we intended (most of
the time).
The years in between have seen me become
a successful Chef after falling into the
career. I completed my apprenticeship at
2 Faces Restaurant and was a part of the
restaurant for 11 years. 2009 saw the birth
of our daughter, Eden. In 2011 I started my
Primary Teaching degree at Deakin University
majoring in Visual Arts; I am completing an
extra unit so I can teach up to Year 10 Arts
(hence my return to Clonard). 2012 my son
Van was born. With trips to Bali, Thailand,
Spain, France and the UK somewhere in the
middle, a Datsun 200B, a 1963 EH Holden
wagon and a bright yellow Transit Van.
Copious amounts of food from some of the
world’s best Chef’s (and of course wine to
match), weekends away to Daylesford, births,
deaths and marriages (just not my own), my
path has returned me to Clonard.
It was 1996 and year 9 was upon us. The
Chanel boys made the trip down to Clonard
(which was the highlight or lowlight of the
year for all) to hone our ballroom dancing
skills. The hall was filled with the aroma of
over sprayed deodorants and the sounds
of records recorded to cassettes. The calls
of ‘left, left, left, right, and left were rattling
the windows and doors. Not to mention the
touch of a sweaty pubescent boys hand upon
ours.
Year 10 was a year to start planning the
rest of our lives, planning our careers and
choosing our VCE subjects. The highlight of
year 10 came at the end of the year when we
could all purchase our red jumpers to wear
with pride for the next two years. We were
finally on our way to the top with a move to
the senior side of the school.
Year 11. I was on the Chanel bus back and
forward between classes to pick up the units
Environmental studies and Graphics. I spent
most of my days in the Art rooms where I
thrived. Lunch times were spent gossiping
and planning our weekends.
To 1999 and I’m in my final year of high school.
It was the end of my years as a school student
and also marked the end of Chanel College.
We flourished in strength and kindliness, and
made it through our education at Clonard
College as strong women. The year marked
the beginning of the rest of our lives
….SKIP FORWARD 14 YEARS TO THE YEAR
2013……My return to Clonard as a student
teacher. After recognising 16 or so teachers
These days Clonard is so different but still so
familiar. The huge trees still shadow Clonard
House, the hall looks the same and buildings
and class numbers have multiplied. It was
a memorable time as a student at Clonard
College and a great journey back through the
gates. And who knows, maybe I will be back
again someday.
I am Sarah Ellmer.
(Oh yeah, I forgot to say Go Finian)
Jess Cameron
In September of 2012 Australia won the
Women’s T20 World Cup and Jess was named
Player of the Final in that series!!!
In Feb 2013 Australia won the Women’s 50
over World Cup where in the final Jess was
again named Player of the Match... Interestingly no male or female has been named
Player of the Match in consecutive World
Cups before Jess achieved this.
Jess also won the Belinda Clark Medal in 2013
which is the equivalent to the Alan Border
medal for our male cricketers.
michelle freeman
I graduated from Clonard in 2002.
Over my high school years I loved
arts subjects, but decided that
science would be the way to go for
my career. After lots of hunting and
consideration of different university
courses such as Vet Science,
Viticulture
and
Environmental
Science, I stumbled across Forestry
and knew that sounded right for me.
I love nature and I wanted to learn
practical skills and eventually work in
a job that allowed me to get outdoors,
so I studied a Bachelor of Forestry/
Bachelor of Science with Honours at
the Melbourne University Creswick
campus and loved it.
During that time I became involved
in
the
International
Forestry
Students Association (IFSA), and after
graduating in 2007 was sponsored to
travel to Europe to attend meetings
and conferences of IFSA. I ended
up staying and travelling around
Western and Eastern Europe for two
years, working occasionally in the UK
on farms to help raise the funds to
sponsor my travel. The experience of
travelling independently was amazing
and really helped me to grow in
confidence.
When I returned home to Geelong, it
took just a couple of months to land
a job with the then Department of
Sustainability and Environment as a
Forest Planner. It was a good learning
experience and I was required to
participate in many state-wide
working groups on pest and weed
management and recreation, but
it was very much an office-based
job and I was craving the outdoor
work, which was the reason I studied
Forestry in the first place. I ended up
giving Vic-Forests (Victoria’s native
timber harvesting body) a call and
they were able to offer me a position
as Harvesting Forester. This led me
to move to Alexandra in the Central
Highlands of Victoria.
The job was everything I hoped forthe majority of my time spent out in
the beautiful hills of the area assessing
forests for timber, habitat values and
planning timber harvesting operations
to ensure all special values, flora and
fauna were adequately protected. A
large part of my job was supervising
and directing contractors, which
challenged my interpersonal and
leadership skills. I was in Alexandra for
2.5 years and met my partner, Mick
(also a forester) there.
Although I loved that job, I recently
was offered the opportunity to do a
PhD, looking at Forest Ecology of the
Tiwi Islands in the Northern Territory
- an opportunity too good to knock
back - so my life has taken another
turn. I am now back in Melbourne and
back at University.
Outside of work, I also became a
Director of the Institute of Foresters
of Australia. My role in particular is
to represent the views of youth and
women members of the Institute and
I am learning a lot about governance
and running organisations. Also,
earlier this year I applied for the
RIRDC Rural Womens Award. The
Award promotes the importance and
strength of women as leaders and
supports women to drive positive
change in their industries and
communities. I was lucky enough
to win the Victorian award, which
has given me a $10,000 bursary to
achieve my award project, which is
about engaging and empowering
the next generation of foresters into
the profession. The award has really
changed my life - media reports,
radio interviews, public speaking and
leadership skills are all things that
have flowed on from winning the
award.
All this has made me realise that
anyone is capable of everything. As
a very shy and introverted person
my achievements have been hard
won and often uncomfortable at
times (just because of my personality
type!), but I am so happy that up to
now I have never knocked back an
opportunity - you never know where
you will end up!
Michelle Freeman
sara & friends
The Wedding
Sara McNaughton and Alister Safstrom met
in 2009 at a Bachelor and Spinster (BnS)
Ball in Longerenong. Alister then moved to
Dubbo for work and Sara did some travelling
overseas before they started dating in April
2011. He proposed in December 2012 while
they were out fishing, putting the ring on
the end of his line and reeling it in! Sara
and Alister got married in the gardens at
Truffleduck in Fyansford on the 25th August,
2013. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon
surrounded by close family and friends. ExClonard student (and Sara’s sister) Catherine
McNaughton was maid of honour. Several
other past Clonard students from the
graduating class of 2004 were also present
at the wedding. These girls have remained
very close friends since completing high
school and continue to catch up on a regular
basis. Sara and Alister have recently built
their dream house on the Safstrom family
farm in Mount Camel (near Heathcote)
where Alister runs sheep on 800 acres.
Bridesmaid - Catherine McNaughton:
Catherine finished Year 12 at Clonard
College in 2012 and decided to take a gap
year. She worked for MSP photography for 4
months and then got offered a position at a
pig farm in Balliang, which she really enjoys.
Catherine has been given the opportunity
to study agriculture as part of her role at
the farm, and is currently training to be the
manager of a breeding unit of pigs and their
piglets.
Main picture (Left to Right)
Chelsea Wardrope:
After finishing Year 12, Chelsea completed
a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Natural
Resource Management. She worked for
Parks Victoria for a short time before
starting her career with the Department of
Environment and Primary Industries where
she is currently a Biosecurity Manager. After
school, Chelsea developed the travel bug
with fiancé Shaun which has seen her travel
throughout Europe, South East Asia and
New Zealand. Shaun proposed on a beach in
Cambodia on Christmas Day 2012 and they
are currently planning their wedding for
March 2014. Chelsea is also renovating an
old home in Werribee where she lives with
Shaun and her dog, Duke.
Kara Wishart:
Kara spent time working in retail after leaving
school in 2004. She stayed in that industry
until she discovered her interest in children’s
learning when her cousins, Renee and Sally
Stephens (ex-Clonard students) had kids.
Kara is now halfway through her Bachelor
of Primary Education at Deakin University,
maintaining her love of art by making it
her major. She is also having fun gaining
experience by volunteering as a teacher’s
aide. In her spare time she plays netball
with the Winchelsea Football/Netball Club
and works at the BWS in Bell Post Hill. Once
she finishes her degree, Kara is hoping to do
some travelling before becoming a full time
teacher.
Tash Jenkins:
After leaving Clonard, Tash completed a
Bachelor of Health Science (Paramedics).
She was employed by Ambulance Victoria
as an Advanced Life Support Paramedic and
went on to become a Clinical Instructor prior
to a career ending injury in 2012. She has
recently landed a job at Victoria University
as a Lecturer in Paramedic Sciences. In her
spare time, Tash enjoys traveling to a range
of countries and has developed a keen
interest in exercise and rehab, all while
regularly catching up with the “Clonard
Girls” and their partners.
Jacqui Cations:
Following Year 12, Jacqui decided to
pursue her passion for health and fitness,
completing a Bachelor of Human Nutrition
(Honours) including a research year focusing
on obesity prevention. After obtaining her
masters and personal training qualifications,
Jacqui started running her own health and
fitness business. Realising she was interested
in the health of children, she returned to
university to complete her primary teaching
qualifications and is now teaching in various
schools throughout Geelong and the
surrounding region. She is currently keeping
herself busy planning her wedding to fiancé
Matthew in October 2014.
Sara Safstrom (nee McNaughton):
After finishing Year 12 and studying to
become a Zoologist, Sara spent a lot of
time volunteering and working casually at
Werribee Open Range Zoo, Melbourne Zoo
and the Mount Rothwell Earth Sanctuary.
Struggling to find a full time position as a
Zoologist, Sara decided to go back to uni
in 2011 to become a Science teacher. She
spent over 12 months teaching at Clonard
College and also Ecolinc Environment and
Technology Centre in Bacchus Marsh, before
obtaining a fulltime position at Catholic
College Bendigo teaching Science to Year
7-9 students.
Tiffany Granger:
Since leaving Clonard in 2004, Tiffany spent
time working on a farm with horses as a
polo groom. She then attended RMIT to
a complete a certificate in IT Networking
which saw her work at The Royal Children’s
Hospital, Deakin University and Deloitte.
Tiffany now lives with her fiancé, Mark and
two children Elizabeth and William in Colac.
She will be getting married in March 2014.
Tiffany is hoping to move to a farm within a
couple of years, as she grew up on one and
wants the same for her family. Courtney Burnett:
Straight after finishing High School, Courtney
studied a Bachelor of Nursing at Ballarat
University. She then nursed in Melbourne
for a year before moving to Perth with her
partner, Christian. She is now nursing in
Karratha, WA, where Christian works as a
miner. They are expecting their first baby in
mid January, 2014. Courtney and Christian
are planning to travel around various parts
of Australia over the next few years before
moving back to live in Perth.
Jessica Nash:
Having been influenced by several teachers
at Clonard, Jess completed a four year
double degree (Bachelor of Performing Arts/
Bachelor of Secondary Teaching) at Deakin
University in Burwood. After finishing her
degree, she worked at a range of schools
around the Geelong Region before landing
her dream job as a staff member back at
Clonard College, where she has established a
strong Dance curriculum as well as teaching
Drama and Indonesian. Jess in still actively
involved in performing during her free time
and currently lives with her partner, Adam,
in a home she renovated during 2012.
carly, laura, marni & shandell
Carly Price
Shandell Moore
After completing Year 12, Carly took a year
off before studying at the University of
Melbourne and living at Newman College.
After graduating from Clonard in 2003,
I commuted to Latrobe University from
Geelong to complete my bachelor degree
in Orthoptic and Ophthalmic sciences. I
graduated with honours in 2007. Orthoptics
is a small profession and because the degree
is only available in Melbourne or Sydney,
Competition for full time work in these areas
is high; therefore moving interstate seemed
the logical move professionally.
Despite leaving Geelong, it was there that
Carly met Andrew McCusker, a former St
Joseph’s College student from Geelong, who
was also living at Newman College. Carly
and Andy have been together since then,
living in Melbourne and both returning to
Geelong regularly to catch up with friends
and family.
In March this year, Carly and Andy married
at Sault Restaurant in Daylesford. The
wedding was a beautiful day complete with
many Clonard and St Joseph’s collegians. In
particular, Ailie Malthouse, Marni Crookes,
Kirra Hutchings and Olivia Darbyshire were
Carly’s gorgeous bridesmaids, with lots of
other Clonard girls there to dance the night
away.
Photos 1,2 & 3
Credit: Hilary Holmes Makeup and Simon L
King Photography.
Laura Bright
Laura graduated from Clonard in 2003
and studied Primary Teaching at Deakin
University. She now teaches Prep at Lara
Lake Primary School and absolutely loves it!
On February 15th this year, Laura married
Michael at St. Johns Church in North
Geelong. Later they held their reception at
Terrindah Estate on the Bellarine Peninsula
with 170 friends and family. Marni Crookes
Our close group of Clonard friends are
following an exciting and diverse spread of
careers ranging from teaching to law, heath,
arts and travel. For me, after graduating in
2003 I took on a challenging yet rewarding
4 year double degree in marketing and
management at Monash Caulfield.
In 2007 I joined Mars Petcare (yes they make
petfood as well as chocolate!) as a sales
graduate which then led into marketing for
brands such as MY DOG, WHISKAS and DINE.
Mars is a fantastic, nurturing, supportive
company providing both a great career and
lifestyle; they even allowed me to take a
career break to travel the world in a year
long sabbatical!
Despite following very different paths and
living in various locations, the friendships I
have with my Clonard girls are just as strong
as our VCE days 10 years ago. Recently
having these girls by my side at my wedding
made the best day of my life even more
special.
Laura is still has a very close bond with
her friends from Clonard and two of the
bridesmaids were Clonard girls’, Laura’s
sister Emma Bright and her best friend
since kindergarten, Natalie Giuffre. Kristy
(Higgins) Posterino, Larisa Maric, Jannah
Longo, Ashlee Giuffre, Abbey Kinnane,
Kristabel (King) Fitzgerald, Brigid Beggs and
Lauren Pickles were the former Clonard girls
who attended.
My husband and I now live in Albury NSW,
however, it was only fitting that our special
day was held in Geelong, considering it was
the town that brought us together; with
Wayan growing up “just over the fence”
Western Heights. It was a beautiful, sunny
yet slightly windy February day (not great
for a long veil) that was filled with love,
laughter and happy tears; a day we will
treasure forever.
I cannot wait to see what life and the next
ten years out of school is going to bring, but
with my family, husband and girls by my side
I have no doubt it will continue to be a fun
journey filled with even more laughs and
adventures!
Photos 9, 10 & watermark
Photos 7 & 8
At the end of 2007 my boyfriend and I
decided to move to Adelaide where we both
secured jobs in very different fields, myself
in Orthoptics and Jason in Wildlife Ecology.
It was a difficult decision to move away from
our family and friends in Geelong, although
it was essential to gain some much needed
experience in the workforce to improve our
future prospects.
4
1
2
3
What was meant to be a two year stint in
Adelaide turned into six years. We love our
lifestyle in Adelaide and we continue to
develop professionally in our chosen fields.
I am now one of only twelve Othoptists in
South Australia and I work alongside several
of Australia’s leading ophthalmologists.
On October 13th 2012 we celebrated our
Wedding at K1 Winery in the Adelaide Hills.
We were overwhelmed with the attendance
to our wedding, particularly with 95% of
the guests travelling from interstate. My
sisters Bronwyn, Andrea and Courtney all
ex-Clonard girls were my bridesmaids, it was
such a special experience having my sisters
by my side on such a special day.
5
6
7
8
Our guests stayed in the city and we
organised a bus to take everyone to and
from K1 winery. It’s quite remarkable to look
back and see just how many of our guests
studied at Clonard. My closest girlfriends:
Teniesha, Kirra, Marni, Carly and Morgan.
My husband’s cousins: Renee, Sally and
Melissa. My sister in law Kara, my mother
in- law Lynda and her sister Suzanne.
We have very fond memories of our wedding
day and continue to make new memories
here in Adelaide.
Photos 4, 5 & 6
10
9
new arrivals
Amanda Hilton (Kolotelo)
Amanda and Anthony with their son
Jack Anthony. Jack is Amanda and
Anthony’s first child and has just
turned one. The family live in a house
that they built in Lovely Banks.
Amanda completed Year 12 at
Clonard in 2002 and went on to study
Psychology and Primary Teaching;
she has worked as a primary school
teacher at Creekside College in
Caroline Springs since 2007.
On December 16th 2012, we
welcomed our beautiful baby boy,
Jasper Thomas into our Family. He
is a bundle of cheeky fun and I am
absolutely loving being his mum!
Watermark. Our wedding day.
Photo 4. Jasper at 6 months
Photography by former Clonard girl,
Kari Hauser (Habib)
Photo 5. Jasper at 1 week old,
Christmas Day 2012
Photo 1. Both boys together - Jasper
and Jack Hilton.
Amanda has been with Anthony Hilton
since her final year at Clonard. They
have travelled overseas together, built
their first home and wed in 2010.
Amanda and Anthony had their
first child Jack Anthony in July 2012.
He was an impatient little man
arriving seven weeks prematurely.
Nevertheless, Jack was born healthy
and is now a thriving one year old
who loves to play with his little buddy
Jasper. Amanda thoroughly enjoys
being a mum to Jack and sharing the
experience with close friend such as
Amanda Lindsay.
Photos 2, 3
Photo 1 (child at back)
Amanda Lindsay (Brown)
After finishing at Clonard in 2002 I
started a double degree in Nursing/
Psychology at Deakin University. I
later discovered that this was not for
me and I took some time off and went
on to complete a certificate in Dental
Assisting. I have not looked back
and have worked at an Orthodontic
Practice in Geelong now for six years.
I met my husband Justin in 2004, we
travelled around America in 2009,
built a house in Ocean Grove and then
married in April 2011.
Fellow Clonard girls Amanda Hilton
(Kolotelo) and Catherine Vaughan
were amongst the bridal party.
1
2
Kristy Posterino (Higgins)
Kristy & Rob Posterino had their first
child Charlie Michael on the 24th
August this year at St John of God
Hospital.
Kristy & Rob have been happily
married for just under four years
and live in Newtown in a house they
renovated together. 3
After Kristy graduated in 2003 she
completed a short stint at Deakin
University studying Occupational
Therapy, however changed careers
to the retail buying industry. Before
commencing maternity leave in
July this year Kristy was working as
a Buyer at Cotton On Head Office
in North Geelong where she has
enjoyed working for the past five
years. However, at the moment
Kristy is absolutely loving the joys of
motherhood and spending time with
her little family. Photos 8 and 9
5
4
7
8
Lauren Dylewski (Middelkoop)
I completed Year 12 in 2002 and had
a stint managing a retail store whilst
saving to buy my first home in Geelong
West at twenty one. I started working
at the Transport Accident Commission
in Melbourne in 2008 and moved
with them to Geelong. I now currently
work part-time as a Rehabilitation
Coordinator assisting people who are
injured in transport accidents.
The rest of my time is spent looking
after our little boy Casper, who was
born on the 14th of August 2012. We
love our weekends as a family and
watching him grow up.
I met my husband Cooba in 2009
whilst camping with friends on The
Australia Day weekend and we have
been together ever since and married
in November 2011.
We built our house in Armstrong
Creek, moving in last year when
Casper was only eight days old! We
love being closer to the beach again
and can’t wait for summer.
Photo 10.
Amber Elliott (Muecke)
Amber completed Year 12 at Clonard
in 2002. For the past eight years she
has worked as a Security Manager
and Trainer at various sites and
is currently working in the BHP
Billiton Building in Melbourne CBD.
Amber met Mark Elliott during Year
12. The couple were married in 2010,
after purchasing a home in Belmont,
which they have since renovated.
6
Amber and Mark welcomed their
first child Lucas Raymond in February
2013, with the assistance of Monash
IVF. Amber is currently working parttime and enjoying the rest of her time
as a new mum. She is looking forward
to becoming an aunt, with her sister
Samantha expecting her first child
early next year.
Photo: Amber and Mark Elliot
with their son, Lucas Raymond.
Lucas is Amber and Mark’s first
child, born in February this year.
Photos 6 & 7
10
9
sarah, kim, kristy & adele
Sarah Symes
Kristy Harris
Adele Huggard
After Clonard, I headed off to Swinburne
University in Hawthorn and completed a
Bachelor of Multimedia (Business Marketing). I’ve since been working at two media
agencies (UM for 3 years and Ikon Communications for just over 1), working across
clients such as Target Australia, L’Oreal (incl.
brands L’Oreal Paris, Garnier, Maybelline,
Redken, Kerastase, YSL, Lancome, etc), SPC
Ardmona and Ego Pharmaceuticals.
Since Clonard I have been working as a
personal trainer part-time and also doing
some part-time landscape gardening work.
These jobs have helped me with my basic
living expenses; my main focus since my last
year at Clonard (2009) has been boxing.
The Road to Tour School
I’ve been training and fundraising for the
New York Marathon this year after being
chosen as an ‘inspired adventurer’ at work.
They picked one person per office to do an
adventure for charity of their choice through
Inspired Adventures, and I was it for Melbourne!
So this year I’ve been training and fundraising like crazy to meet my $9,000 goal for
Amnesty International. I’ve raised the full
$9,000 now after many movie nights, selling
chocolates, pie drives, a trivia night with a
silent auction and raffle, and lots of online
donations! I leave on October 30 and the
marathon is November 3. The longest run
I’ve done so far is 22km, and the most I’ll run
is 35km before I leave.
LINKS
Inspired Adventures:
http://www.inspiredadventures.com.au/
Amnesty International:
http://www.amnesty.org.au/
Kim Chalmers
My name is Kim Chalmers and I finished
Year 12 at Clonard in 2011. I began Judo
while I was at school and have been
working hard at improving my competitive
career in the sport since graduating.
2013 was an injury-ridden year, with
ailments ranging from a broken nose and
toe, to a dislocated shoulder, and various
others. However, in despite of this, I was able
to place 3rd in the Oceania Championships in
April and also make the bronze medal fight
in the Samoan Continental Open (which
unfortunately I lost).
2014 is set to be a big year (and
hopefully injury free). The competitions
I will participate in early in the year will
contribute to my pursuit to qualify for the
Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this year
(and also for my longer-term goal of Olympic
qualification).
I began boxing at the age of 14/15 just
for fitness and recreation with my dad
and brother. By 2011 I had become very
consistent in my training. In April 2011,
after years of hard work and proving myself
to my coach I had my first fight and won. I
stopped my opponent in the 2nd round by a
technical knock-out. My next fight I stopped
my opponent in the 1st round, again by a
technical knock-out. The Victorian boxing
association noticed my ability and decided
to bring opponents from interstate, whom I
also beat.
February 2012 I was chosen to be on the
team to represent Victoria at the National
titles in the 51kg elite women category.
I unfortunately lost to a much more
experienced opponent, but it wasn’t going
to deter me. A month later the world
championship trials were held where I won
gold in the 48kg division, which put me on
the team for the World Amateur Boxing
Championships held in China. Here I was
recognised by the national women’s coach
and have since then represented Australia
in tournaments in New Zealand (twice),
Poland, Finland and many training camps
including the English Institute of Sport and
Australian Institute of Sport.
I am now the current 51kg National
Champion with 22 fights, 5 losses, 17 wins, 3
by technical knock-out. As for what’s next, I
am waiting confirmation for my spot on the
team for a 7-10 week Europe trip consisting
of tournaments and training camps.
Ultimately I want to qualify for the 2014
Commonwealth games and 2016 Olympic
Games. For this dream to come true, I need
as much travel (overseas and Australia) to
get the training and fights I cannot get at
home and for this to happen I need to seek
sponsorship.
I would appreciate it if anyone is interested
in helping me out to contact me on
0421557857 or kristyharris93@hotmail.com
Many things have changed since I left Clonard. You get older, you get wiser, yet I didn’t
manage to get taller… Alas, one constant has
been Golf.
The road to becoming a Professional Sports
Person in any field is not a small endeavor.
Training, Coaches, Travelling, Events, Nutrition, Self Management and most of all Persistence is required. Persistence is also being
somewhat stubborn. Never giving “No’ as an
answer.
After many years playing amateur events,
competing Nationally and watching the
“Stars’ on Television, I have been driven to
strive for such a prestigious item known as
a Tour Card. This allows me to compete and
earn money as a Professional Golfer in the
Women’s Circuit.
I am looking to compete on the Ladies European Tour (LET) and ALPG (Australian Professional Golfers Assoc.), which is held in Marrakesh yearly.
The calendar of events is comprehensive
with rounds of 72 holes to be completed.
I have been fortunate enough to have the
assistance of Callaway Golf Pacific, Sligo Performance Wear (Walkinshaw), Bolle’/Bushnell and of course Golf Victoria / SWDLGA.
I am currently working with my coaches
Craig Spence and Brent German at Albert
Park with the assistance of Darren Lay at
the Melbourne Golf Injury Clinic, in between
events and a hefty training schedule alongside my work as the Commercial Account
Manager for Dick Smith Electronics.
So if you are organized, stubborn, enjoy
playing a sport 365 days a year in all weather
conditions, Golf is the sport for you! I
encourage everyone to “Give Golf A Go”,
you never know, you too may be the next
Karrie Webb!
Kathryn Eastman (Year 12 2014)
A chat with Kaitlyn Kort (Year 12 2012)
On July 21st this year, I travelled to Rio De
Janeiro, Brazil with a group of 70 Catholic
school students and teachers for World
Youth Day 2013. During this two week
trip, I met some amazing new people and
experienced my faith in a way I had never
experienced it before.
At first, when I was offered the opportunity
to take part in such a prestigious world-wide
event, I was unsure about whether I was
suited However, leading up to the event,
we had many meetings to prepare ourselves
for what we were about to experience.
Growing up in a big, Catholic family, I have
always been challenged to understand
and appreciate my faith. To be given
the opportunity to gather with so many
young people from the Catholic faith was
extremely exciting but at the same time
very daunting. About a week before the
event, nerves were starting to kick in.
I had my doubts about whether I was brave
enough to travel across the other side of
the world with people I had met only a few
times. However, as soon as we arrived in
South America, all my worries completely
vanished. The people in my group were
extremely easy to get along with and we
instantly became friends, which is lucky
because we spent nearly every hour of every
day for the next two weeks together.
After a couple of days of sightseeing which
included the Botanical gardens, Sugarloaf
Mountain (which we climbed in cable cars)
and shopping at the markets, the WYD
events began with an opening mass on
Copacabana beach, just a couple of hundred
metres down from our hotel. Most of it
was in Portuguese, which made it a little
bit difficult to understand but it was still
very exciting. It was not your usual mass!
We swapped souvenirs with people from
countries including America, France, Ireland,
Canada, Argentina and more and danced
with the Brazilians on the sand.
For the next three mornings we attended
Catechesis. The Catechesis sessions
consisted of approximately two hundred
pilgrims gathered to learn more about the
Catholic faith. This was a very challenging
part of the trip. The Arch Bishops were all
very traditional in the way they addressed
youth in the Catholic Church and rather
than making connections with many of the
people who were part of my group, their
views and rules about what it means to be
a good Catholic person were different to our
own understandings of the Catholic faith.
It became apparent that the views of the
Catholic Church can vary greatly between
countries and leaders within the Catholic
Church. In Australia, we seem to have a less
strict observation of the rules. Aside from
these traditional views that most people in
my group were challenged with, I enjoyed
being a part of the mass that followed these
talks, as it was moving to see like minded
people from various different Englishspeaking countries come together in order
to connect with their faith.
“I chose to study medicine because it is
what I have always wanted to do since I
was three years old and I would really love
the opportunity to work for Médecins Sans
Frontières (Doctors without Borders) who
help out those who really need it across the
world”.
Kaitlyn realised that in order to enter
medicine she would need to gain an
incredibly high Tertiary Entrance Rank and
so in 2011, whilst still in Year 11, Kaitlyn
commencing studying two Year 12 (Unit 3/4
VCE) subjects as part of her studies. When
results were released Kaitlyn saw she was
well on her way to acceptance into Medicine
with a score of 46 in Further Maths (out of a
possible maximum of 50, ranking her in the
top 5% in the State) and Health and Human
Development (in which she gained the
highest score of a perfect 50) .
The arrival of the Pope to Copacabana was
really an amazing sight. It was a little bit like
being in a mosh pit at a concert, as I was
getting pushed around a lot. People were
screaming and crying and throwing their
babies at him to be blessed. Over the last
three days of WYD events on Copacabana
beach, we attended Stations of the Cross,
the vigil with the Pope and the last mass
with the Pope. It was incredible to see how
many people turned up for the vigil. We
later discovered that about 3 million people
had gathered on Copacabana to witness the
Pope in action and although I probably had
the most uncomfortable two hour sleep of
my life, it was definitely one of the highlights
of the trip.
For the last couple of days in Rio, after WYD
had ended, we had free time to explore
the beautiful city further. This included
touring the Christ the Redeemer statue
which stands 30 metres high on top of
Corcovado Mountain and provides the most
breathtaking views of Rio. On our last day
we had a retreat, where we shared with our
small groups our greatest memories of the
experience and talked about how much we
were going to miss each other. That day, we
flew out of Brazil and spent the night five
hours away in Chile. The next morning we
boarded what some are still calling ‘The
Flight from Hell’ where almost half of the
large group had gastro with twelve hours
of the flight remaining. I was fortunate
enough not to get sick. I won’t go into detail
about that as I’m sure you can imagine how
horrible it was. It wasn’t a great way to end
the trip but we did get on the news for it so
I guess it had its positives!
Overall, WYD Rio 2013 was an unforgettable
experience that provided me and my fellow
pilgrims with more insight into the Church
and a greater appreciation for our Catholic
faith.
Pictured on this page is our Clonard Business Manager Tom with his wife Susi and their newly born son Angus William Harriott, born
Tuesday August 20, 2013 weighing 8lbs 2oz. The second photo features former Clonard student Emma Gladman who works with the
EmQ Crisis and Emergency Management company. Emma was recently back at Clonard delivering training to our staff in the area of
emergency management. Emma also has a sister, named Amy, who graduated from Clonard in 2007 and now works as a lawyer /
solicitor in Perth. She recently became engaged. The third photo displayed on this page features a group of 2005 graduates who got
together at Christmas time. Pictured is Jenna Beaumont - teacher at Lara Primary School, Lisa Matijevic - working in fashion, Desiree
Balaburova - property development, Danielle Farrugia, Julie Anderson - nurse, Erin Storer - nutritionist with her own business and
Sadie Tate - make up artist.
STOP THE PRESS
If you have done something newsworthy or you come across an ex-student or an article in a magazine or newspaper featuring a former
Clonard student, please send it through the Clonard office: office@clonard.catholic.edu.au
Please let us know what you are doing with your life since departing Clonard. Crosslinks is your Old Collegians newsletter and we appreciate your assistance to source and feature articles of interest about you and your old school mates.
Friends of Brigid
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Kaitlyn then took on a broad range of
subjects in Year 12 including Food and
Technology (in which she gained a second
perfect score of 50) as well as Physics,
Chemistry, English and Maths Methods –
she gained an ATAR of 98.45 but still had to
wait to see if this very high ranking was to be
enough. Kaitlyn explains:
I wanted to do undergraduate medicine so
during August 2012 I applied to every state
in Australia to all the universities that do
undergraduate medicine (only about seven
in Australia). I was lucky enough to get an
interview at the Joint Medical Program
between the University of New England and
the University of Newcastle in November
last year (2012). I found out in January that I
had been offered a place in the program and
was very excited.
After deciding to take a gap year to travel
and earn some money I looked up what
scholarships I could apply for and then I had
to write a written application for any I was
eligible for. I was very excited to receive the
email saying I had been offered the Hyman
Scholarship for Rural Medicine. This is one
of the best scholarships I was able to receive
and it entitles me to $10,000 a year for five
years (the length of my degree). As part of the
scholarship I have to work in a rural, regional
or remote area of New South Wales for two
years after the completion of my degree.
Whilst at school I will be required to submit
reports about my studies and participation
in university life, promote the scholarship
(which may include public speaking), donor
liaison and media interviews. I am very
excited and lucky to have been accepted in
undergraduate medicine and receive such
an amazing scholarship!! I look forward to
starting my studies in early February.
Congratulations Kaitlyn – we at Clonard are
very proud of your achievements so far and
look forward to hearing from you as you
work your way toward your dream!
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capital drive
As mentioned in the Principals message, works are just starting on the major part of the Minerva Rd redevelopment. Included in the
immediate works are the redevelopment of the existing gym hall, relocation and fit out of the Food Tech wing as well as demolition of
the remaining buildings to make way for a car park and extensive green landscaped area. 2 multipurpose courts will also be added at
a later date. The centrepiece of the redevelopment will be a bronze statue of our founding St Brigid set on a Celtic mosaic that will be
situated in front of the existing hall. The College believes this statue will be a fitting tribute to St Brigid as well as highlight how significant this redevelopment is to the College. The College would appreciate all past students and the greater Clonard community seriously
consider donating to this exciting new development. The cutoff for donations is Friday 4th April 2014.
Below is the Artists statement on the statue.
‘An Cailin Og Brigid’
Stance
The young Brigid stands strong and open to life ahead, to her calling. Her arms are held close to her body in containment and youthful humility. The forearms are open away from the body ready to receive what is asked of her.
Walking Stick
Later in Brigids life as an Abess and in charge of thirty convents she still rose early to shepherd her sheep. The walking stick is a symbol of protection of the shepherd and of the youthful pilgrim. It is a sign of courage. It is not yet the staff of the leader but the seeker.
Cloak
The Cloak of Ireland was worn by all common peoples with particular reference to the miracle folklore story of Brigid asking her King
for land and her telling her ‘As much as your cloak can cover’
Clothing
Brigid is dressed in the rough hewn, the warm clothing of the common people of her time. Her clothes are a symbol of her desired
poverty.
Hands
One holds the Shepherds stick close to her body, the other gently holds out the traditional Irish oil lamp the symbol of the light she
will carry in ministering to the poor and the educating of the poor young children.
Feet
Her bare feet reflect the choice Brigid made as the daughter of a King to live a life devoid of worldly goods.
Mosaic
The proposed design for the mosaic takes its influence from Ireland. The centre of the mosaic closest to where Brigid will stand, represents the green rolling hills of Ireland and its Sacred sites Tara and Kildare. The predominant spirals emanate from the four pillars
drawn out from the centre. These echo the future cross ( as the bronze is a young Brigid) that Brigid will fashion from the straw in
her future teachings.
The four coloured pathways represent the celtic harvest calendar ( four seasons ) which Brigid used to teach about Christianity. Small
stones will be used around the base of the hills to represent the many dwellings and walls built by the ancient celts. The clover ties
Brigid’s story to St Patrick and is also a romantic link to Ireland. The water is shown all around the outside of the design representing
the Irish Sea and the travels of the Brigidine sisters to the shores of Australia.
Donations
Tax deductible donations can be made to help finance this redevelopment by following the instructions on the donation slip on
the next page. Tax deductible receipts will be mailed out for all contributions as well as an appreciation certificate and an invite
to the grand opening of the site once works are completed and a ceremony date confirmed (expected to be around May 2014).
All contributions above $200 will receive special recognition with an individual plaque with your choice of wording being placed
around the outside of the mosaic.
If you have any questions please contact the Business Manager, Tom Harriott on 52782155
or email tom.harriott@clonard.catholic.edu.au.
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Please detach this stub and return your donation to: Clonard College. 225 Church St, Herne Hill. 3218
NAME: ____________________________________________________ Please Circle: CASH CHEQUE VISA MASTERCARD
ADDRESS: __________________________________________________________________PHONE:_________________
o
d
Card Number: _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ _ Expiry Date: _ _ / _ _ DONATION AMOUNT: $_________________
Card Holder’s Name: _______________________________ Signature: ________________________________________
EFT: Acc Name - Clonard College
BSB - 083-347
Acc Number - 68 2980 391
For all EFT donations please phone the office with donation details or email them to office@clonard.catholic.edu.au
If your donation is over $200, please list below what you would like on your recognition plaque (e.g. Smith Family) - Limit of 40 characters
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Please join us!
We are seeking the graduating classes of:
1964 (1959 - 1964) - 50 years out
1974 (1969 - 1974) - 40 years out
1984 (1979 - 1984) - 30 years out
1994 (1989 - 1994) - 20 years out
2004 (1999 - 2004) - 10 years out
• 2014 is the year when your graduating class will celebrate a significant anniversary away from Clonard, therefore
we would like to provide your graduating class with the opportunity to join us and the other milestone graduating
classes here at Clonard. We will make the Clonard ILC available for a catered afternoon of drinks (champagne, wine,
soft drink, tea and coffee) and nibbles on:
Saturday March 22, 2014, from 3pm till 6pm.
• We would like to offer you the opportunity to return to Clonard for a casual catch-up with other members of your year
level, within the confines of Clonard. You can choose to join us for the 3 hours or if you have the drive to hit the town
you may wish to organize an alternative venue for your year level to move to after the catch-up at Clonard.
• If you have not been back to Clonard of late we have purchased ajoining land, there are new buildings, landscaped
gardens and artworks to observe along with the old school buildings you hopefully look back upon fondly since you
departure. We will provide senior leaders to serve as guides if you wish, alternatively you may prefer to relax and
converse with your old school friends within the surrounds of the school.
• School Principal Damian McKew will briefly welcome you. We would also like to provide a slideshow of images, stories
and Clonard memorabilia from your year level, however this will only be possible with your support and the support
of your peers. Please send images and memorobilia to Dean Williams.
For further information please contact Dean Williams
Clonard College Assistant Principal – Community Relations
dean.williams@clonard.catholic.edu.au
ph: 5278 2155 (school) / m: 0419 548770
..................................................................................................................................................................................................
We would ask that each lady who chooses to attend pay only $15 to help cover the cost of the food and drinks.
Please detach this stub and return your payment to: Clonard College. 225 Church St, Herne Hill. 3218
NAME: ______________________________________ Please Circle:
CASH CHEQUE VISA
MASTERCARD
ADDRESS: ___________________________________________________________PHONE:________________
NUMBER OF TICKETS ORDERED @ $15 PER TICKET: _______________AMOUNT ENCLOSED: _______________
Card Number: _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ _ Expiry Date: _ _ / _ _ Finishing year at Clonard:_____________
Card Holder’s Name: _____________________________ Signature: __________________________________
EFT: Acc Name - Clonard College
BSB - 083-347
Acc Number - 68 2980 391
For all EFT donations please phone the office with donation details or email them to office@clonard.catholic.edu.au
Please send us your email address so that this publication
can be sent to you via email - office@clonard.catholic.edu.au
Ph: 5278 2155 Fax: 5278 9909
www.clonard.catholic.edu.au