theStarPublished for the

Methodist Ladies’ College communityRegistered by Australia Post

Publication No. VBQ 6695

Volume 29 No. 1 April 2015

Former MLC students and long time friends, The Hon Nicola Roxon and The Hon Mary Wooldridge (both 1984).

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News flash: certifiably world-ready!

The hard work and collaborative effort of a core team of MLC students and teachers throughout 2014 was affirmed late last year when the Council of International Schools (CIS) accreditation team spent three days at the College, carefully examining MLC’s application and approving the College for International Certification with flying colours.

Being only the second school in the world to be involved in a new process for self-reflection and accreditation was always going to be a challenge, but in the end the process was affirming and rewarding for those involved. In an intensive process over three days, the visiting accreditors met with students and teachers, examined documentation, tested the claims MLC had made and were impressed with what they saw.

Importantly, the teamwork between teachers and students, the shared vision of the kind of international perspectives we want for MLC staff and learners and the articulation of a way to get there, was critical to the College’s success.

The visiting accreditation team were most impressed with the way the CIS thinking had permeated all aspects of MLC life, the shared understanding epitomised in the powerful key concepts: ‘Awareness, Appreciation, Understanding and Responsibility’ and in the MLC definition of global citizenship that the working party created, refined and shared.

The news that MLC was successful in its certification was warmly received across the College and is a strong testament to the high quality thinking and working from all the teachers and students who contributed during the process.

Warrick Wynne, Director of Learning and Curriculum

Credits

Editor and project management Cathy Wever Communication Email cathy@cathywever.com.au

Editorial committee Fiona Hughes, Lou Kubicki, Maria Mercuri, Cathy Wever

Community news MLC Development and Advancement Office Email alumnae@mlc.vic.edu.au Telephone +61 3 9274 6357

MLC Development and Advancement Office and MLC Foundation Maria Mercuri, Manager, Development and Advancement Email foundation@mlc.vic.edu.au Telephone +61 3 9274 6308

MLC Admissions Fiona Hughes, Director of Admissions and Marketing Email admissions@mlc.vic.edu.au Telephone +61 3 9274 6316

Cover image

Former MLC students and long time friends, The Hon Nicola Roxon and The Hon Mary Wooldridge (both 1984).

To uphold the environmental values of the staff and students of MLC, this is printed on ‘Revive Pure Silk’ paper. This paper is certified carbon neutral and FSC 100% recycled. The pulp used is processed chlorine free and is manufactured by an ISO 14001 certified mill.

Contents

From the Principal .................................... 3Celebrating academic success .................. 4Connect with MLC ................................... 6The Star goes digital ................................. 6Opposites attract...................................... 7Magical MLC friendships ........................... 8World-class teaching and learning .............. 9Orientation and transition at MLC ..............10Pursuing passions, forging friendships .........12MLC News ...........................................14Staff spotlights .......................................16Leaders, friends and heroes......................17

Meet the 2015 MLC Board of Directors .....18

Parents’ Association update ......................19

Annual Giving 2015 ..............................20

Annual MLC Foundation Dinner .................20

Stella Argentea Society ...........................21

Community news....................................22

From the MLC Archives............................23

OCC news and events............................24

Where are they now? .............................26

Reunions ..............................................28

MLC community notices ...........................30

MLC values reflect our history and our future

During the latter half of 2014 I was delighted to collaborate with students and staff at all levels to determine and define MLC’s core values. Through a series of working party discussions that sought the input of students and staff from all schools, the following values were determined as fundamental to our College:

Responsibility, Compassion and Respect.

Underpinning everything that we do at MLC, these three values will inform, guide, represent and reflect MLC’s decisions, directions and activities as a community moving forward.

These values are not new – they describe MLC’s heritage as much as its future. While the MLC community has always been mindful of acting with responsibility, compassion and respect, the decision to distil and formally articulate these key values reflects a commitment to further uniting our community through a shared vision.

Diana Vernon, Principal

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From the Principal

MLC friends – friends for lifeThe theme of this edition of The Star is ‘MLC friendships’ – a theme inspired by the incredible diversity and endurance of friendships formed and sustained through the shared experience of an MLC education.

Each day, it is a joy and a privilege to see friendships between students of all ages flourishing at MLC, whether in playgrounds and gardens at lunchtimes, on the sporting field, in special interest clubs, in academic classes, at MLC Marshmead, on excursions or through home, form and tutor group sessions. As a relatively large school, MLC provides students with countless opportunities to make and sustain friendships, not only with girls in the same year level, but also across other year levels. It truly surprises me when I hear it suggested that students may find it difficult to make friends in a larger school – at MLC our students’ experience is quite the opposite! Among a wider cohort, students can always find a peer who shares their interest, however mainstream or unusual.

Naturally, thousands of friendships forged at MLC continue well beyond school days, and it is inspiring to hear about the nature and significance of these relationships so regularly. MLC’s extensive program of reunions for Old Collegians connects women who attended MLC together and these uplifting events invariably feature the warmth of friendships that have endured for many years, often decades, despite the varied life trajectories of individual past students.

While friendships are of course made at every age and stage of life, many of us hold especially dear those friendships that were founded at school. Perhaps this is because the friends we make during our youth know and understand us in a way that others simply never will. The shared experience of growing from a child to an adult is unique and cherished by many of us as we go through life. Moreover, it frequently cements longstanding and even lifelong bonds.

The value of enduring friendships cannot be underestimated and as well as countless books on the topic, there is a significant body of research

that highlights the positive impact friendship has on personal health and wellbeing. Although friendships are critical for both genders, I note a landmark 2002 study conducted at UCLA, which underscores the particular value of female friendships. Researchers found that the support female friends receive from one another helps women counter stress, build resilience and manage the ups and downs of day-to-day life. No wonder the friends our girls make during their school days at MLC prove to be such valuable confidantes and bedrocks of support in later years!

The cover of this edition of The Star features a striking example of an enduring MLC friendship: that between former federal health minister and Australia’s first attorney general, Nicola Roxon (1984) and current Victorian shadow health minister, Mary Wooldridge (1984). The pair met at MLC in Year 7 in 1979 and have remained firm friends ever since, despite sitting on different sides of the political fence. Many other wonderful MLC friendships are featured this issue, from those forged on rowing camp and in Literature Club to a friendship that has spanned more than 70 years!

School-made friendships continue to play a significant part in my own life and in fact I would not be in the fortunate position today of leading MLC, were it not for my strong connection to a lifelong family friend.

Lucy (pictured right) and I formed a close friendship through our fathers, who were great friends at university. We shared our first birthday parties and enjoyed endless family holidays together. In particular, we bonded over the shared experience of being the eldest of three and constant efforts to keep our younger siblings under control. Although we briefly shared a flat in London in our twenties, our friendship thrived despite the fact that we have always followed very different paths. We attended different schools and universities and, while before moving to Melbourne I had always lived in London, Lucy has lived in many countries including the UK, Hong Kong, Africa and Australia. She moved to Melbourne in 2000, with her two young children and Melbourne born and bred partner.

Lucy and I used to write endless letters to one another on thin, blue, airmail paper. As I was clearing out

my house to move to Melbourne, I came across a stash of such letters that Lucy had written to me from Africa – they brought back many special memories of our lives over the past decades. In more recent times, electronic communication made it much easier for us to keep in touch! Indeed, the digital age means time and distance are not the barriers to friendship they once were. In this context, I am excited to announce that MLC is now on Facebook. Our presence on this widely used social media platform provides another opportunity for our community to connect with one another, as well as keep up with the current goings-on at the College. I invite you to read more about this and other social media initiatives, on page 6.

Modes of communication aside, it has been wonderful for me to have such a close friend as Lucy in Melbourne – someone who knows me for who I am, who does not judge, who is there as a sounding board and who can provide trusted advice. In particular, it has been so helpful to have a close friend’s first hand insights into Melbourne’s culture and the Australian way of life – both through her eyes as well as through the eyes of her two teenage boys (the eldest of whom is my godson).

I hope you enjoy the focus on MLC friendships in this edition of The Star.

Diana Vernon, Principal

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Academic excellence

The Class of 2014 continued MLC’s long tradition of academic excellence. Two hundred and fifty-one students successfully completed their VCE/VCE VET and 40 students successfully completed their International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma.

Key achievements include:

• Three students attained a perfect IB score of 45 which equates to a Notional VCE ATAR of 99.95

• Four students across VCE/VCE VET and IB achieved an ATAR of 99.85

• 29 or 10% of VCE/VCE VET and IB students achieved an ATAR of 99+ (top 1% of Australia)

• 39 or 13.4% of VCE/VCE VET and IB students achieved an ATAR of 98+ (top 2% of Australia)

• 82 or 28.2% of VCE/VCE VET and IB students achieved an ATAR of 95+ (top 5% of Australia)

• 126 or 43.3% of VCE/VCE VET and IB students achieved an ATAR of 90+ (top 10% of Australia)

• 13 VCE/VET students obtained 14 perfect study scores (of 50) across 11 different subjects

• 36 IB students achieved a total of 96 Grade 7s (the highest grade possible in IB) across 27 different subjects.

The College community warmly congratulates all members of the Class of 2014 on their personal academic achievements. These outstanding results are a reflection of the students’ focus and hard work as well as their commitment to their learning and readiness for the next stage in their education. The results also reflect the support provided by MLC’s committed and professional teaching and educational support staff.

As an open entry school, MLC strives to provide all students with an excellent academic education and a positive learning environment as well as a wide range of broader opportunities that will prepare students for life beyond MLC.

These exceptional achievements across all three MLC learning pathways help guide, nurture and prepare MLC girls to become ‘world-ready women’.

Duces and duces secundae 2014

Three students from the Class of 2014 shared the title of Dux of MLC. These top scoring students were Angie Hu, Florence Ho and Vandita Mattoo, each of whom received the highest possible IB Diploma score of 45 (Notional VCE ATAR of 99.95).

Sharing the title of Dux Secundi were Sophie Lim, Emily Zhao, Gabi Lynch and Rebecca Stone, each of whom achieved an ATAR of 99.85.

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Celebrating academic and personal success

It is with great pride that MLC recognises the varied achievements and successes of the Class of 2014. We celebrate the personal bests that have been attained by so many of our recent Year 12 leavers, and acknowledge several significant achievements below.

[1] MLC’s 2014 duces and duces secundae (L – R): Angie Hu, Florence Ho, Gabi Lynch, Emily Zhao, Vandita Mattoo, and Rebecca Stone. Inset: Sophie Lim. [2] Physics Olympiad gold medallist, Year 12 student, Wendy Wu.

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VCE Season of ExcellenceThe VCE Season of Excellence is an annual festival of works created by Victoria’s most outstanding VCE students in technology, design, multimedia and the cinematic, visual and performing arts. Several students from the Class of 2014 have been selected to have their work(s) exhibited as part of this year’s VCE Season of Excellence program.

Two students, Katherine Fleming and Eliza Sinclair, will both perform in Top Class Drama. Six students will have their work exhibited at Top Designs: Zoe Casper (Food and Technology), Claudia Goodliffe (Food and Technology), Nicolette Stathopoulos (Food and Technology), Brianna Stephens (Food and Technology), Isobel Moy (Product Design and Technology) and Tahlia Yap (Visual Communication Design). Nana Kwon has been selected to perform in Top Class Music. Anna Dewar has been selected to have her photography work exhibited in Top Arts at the National Gallery of Victoria.

For a more detailed summary of MLC’s academic results for 2014, please see mlc.vic.edu.au/results2014

We do rely on past students letting us know about scholarships and other awards. The College would be very pleased to receive additional information about scholarships and awards made to the Class of 2014.

Nicolette Stathopoulos

Katherine Fleming

Claudia Goodliffe

Eliza Sinclair

Zoe Casper

Brianna Stephens

Isobel Moy

Tahlia Yap

Nana Kwon

Anna Dewar

University of Melbourne – Melbourne Schools Partnership International Award

MLC is proud to be part of the University of Melbourne’s ‘Melbourne Schools Partnership International’. Each year we nominate an international Year 12 student who demonstrated academic excellence during Year 11 (in the previous year). The 2014 recipient of this award is Jiaqi (Alice) Jin.

Australian Defence Force Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Award

The ADF Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Award is named in recognition of the place the Battle of Long Tan holds in the hearts and minds of many Australians and recognises students who display the traits demonstrated by Long Tan veterans – such as determination; mateship; teamwork; tenacity; compassion and leadership. The 2014 MLC ADF Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Award for a Year 12 student was awarded to Isabelle Nehme.

Isabelle Nehme

Jiaqi (Alice) Jin

Awards and accolades

Congratulations to students who have been recognised across various fields of endeavour.

Tertiary scholarship recipients

A number of students from the Class of 2014 were awarded prestigious tertiary scholarships.

Florence Ho was awarded the Monash Scholarship for Exceptional Achievement and is undertaking a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (Honours) at Monash University.

Angie Hu and Vandita Mattoo were both awarded a Melbourne National Chancellor’s Scholarship to study at the University of Melbourne. Angie is undertaking a Bachelor of Science and Vandita is undertaking a Bachelor of Biomedicine.

Yue Pan has been offered a place to study for a BA in Architecture at St John’s College at the University of Cambridge, England.

Matilda Dinnison and Charlotte Peake have both been awarded scholarships to study at Bond University in Queensland. Matilda was awarded a Collegiate Scholarship and Charlotte was awarded a Leadership Scholarship.

SVI Global scholarships

Several students were awarded fashion scholarships as part of the SVI Global scholarships program. These students were Josie Macpherson (general excellence), Imogen Beams (general excellence), Innez Niwa (creative technique), Jackie Aing (technical excellence), Meg Lucas (commercial design) and Anna Fisher (commercial design).

Yue Pan

Matilda Dinnison

Charlotte Peake

Josie Macpherson

Imogen Beams

Innez Niwa

Jackie Aing

Meg Lucas

Anna Fisher

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// Read more at mlc.vic.edu.au/star

MLC student wins Physics Olympiad gold medal

Year 12 student, Wendy Wu has won an Australian Physics Olympiad gold medal.

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Digital communication enables us to connect and converse with one another anywhere, any time.

As the digital landscape continues to advance, social media in particular is now a common means for organisations to communicate with members located across the world. Social media aims to create conversations to which anyone can contribute. Individuals are encouraged to publically express their likes and dislikes and share content, images and media with others.

As part of MLC’s continued innovative approach to technology, we are increasing opportunities for our community to connect with us through digital media, including social media.

Facebook

MLC has now launched an official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mlckew. We’re excited to have a social media presence and build our online community of staff, students, families, alumnae and friends.

Social media enables us to share what’s happening inside the College quickly. We have already begun posting photos of the latest MLC activities and creating events. We encourage all members of our MLC community to ‘Like’ our Facebook page and be an active online contributor by commenting on and sharing our posts. Various other social media platforms can also be valuable for sharing information and we’re keen to expand our social media activity in the future.

The Star

While The Star has been available online as a PDF for many years, this year we are pleased to deliver the MLC community magazine as an interactive e-reader, available at www.mlc.vic.edu.au/star. The digital edition of The Star will include additional content such as photo galleries and extra news stories, and will complement the print edition.

Our website

The MLC website continues to evolve and we encourage all members of the MLC community to visit www.mlc.vic.edu.au to stay up-to-date with what’s been happening at the College. A recent content addition includes footage from Founders’ Day 2015, with student testimonials and some wonderful alumnae stories coming soon.

The Star goes digitalAn enhanced digital edition of The Star is now available at mlc.vic.edu.au/star. Hop online to read the magazine on your tablet, desktop or mobile device and explore additional online content including news stories and photo galleries.

If you would prefer to receive the digital edition of The Star magazine in lieu of a print copy, please advise us today by emailing foundation@mlc.vic.edu.au or phoning +61 3 9274 6308.

Connect with MLC

MLC has a deserved reputation of being at the forefront of technology. In 1990 for example, the College implemented the world’s first laptop program across Years 5 – 12. Today, the power of digital is part of everyday life and at MLC it extends beyond using technology to enhance learning.

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Cover story: Opposites attract

Nicola Roxon and Mary Wooldridge (both 1984) met at MLC as fresh-faced Year 7 students in 1979. Across more than three decades, the pair have not only forged impressive careers and made great political gains, they have done so with the support of one another’s friendship – all while sitting on opposing sides of the political fence. As told to Star editor, Cathy Wever.Nicola: “Right from Year 7, Mary and I clicked. We both loved getting involved in all the drama, music and sport that MLC offers. We were both academically motivated and we enjoyed similar subjects although I don’t think either of us had any political ambitions during our school days.

During the holidays, I would head down with Mary to her family’s farm in South Gippsland. In more recent times it’s been special to share the ups and downs of parenthood with one another. Mary’s son and my daughter were born just three months apart and get on famously. There was even a period where our children shared a nanny.

We are part of a group of six very close past students from our year. Sometimes being extremely busy professionally makes it hard to stay in touch, but as a group we have always prioritised our friendship. Having close friends who have known you since before your political career began is affirming and can help you through some of the challenges of public life.

The fact that Mary and I are both in politics has added another layer to our friendship. The ups and downs you experience are very public and even though we are part of different teams, I think we’ve been very good at supporting one another.

MLC taught me how to manage my time, which is crucial in a busy portfolio where there is always too much to do. Because there were so many opportunities at school, I learnt to combine my desire to do well academically with having fun, playing sport and being involved in a range of other activities. I like MLC’s ‘world-ready’ concept because it reflects my own MLC experience.”

Mary: “Nicola was new to MLC and I had come up from Junior School. We hit it off straight away and our connection has continued through our lives. Close school friends know all your strengths and weaknesses and truly like you for who you are. A political career highlights the importance of such relationships.

I was with Nicola in the same Form Room right up to Year 10 and we also chose many of the same subjects. We both appreciated that learning at MLC wasn’t just about memorising facts. It was an education in how to think – it taught me how to work through problems strategically. MLC prepared me for a range of options and choices in my career and other parts of my life.

At the end of Year 11 I went on exchange to Canada. Head of Middle School, Mrs Prest encouraged me to participate in the exchange and I remain grateful to her, as it was a life-changing experience.

After Nicola and I left school there were sometimes long breaks between our catch-ups, as university and careers took over. Despite this, we always seem to take up right where we’ve left off. Our friendship is based on mutual respect and understanding. Sometimes a conversation with Nicola has helped me clarify how I’m going to deal with a particular issue, in terms of how to handle it as opposed to the policy or the detail, where obviously we tend to have different ideas.

I think friendship is one of the most important and precious things in life. Careers come and go, but looking back on more than three decades of friendship with Nicola…it’s enduring relationships like these that are truly invaluable.”

Fast factsThe Honourable Nicola Roxon • MLC Senior Prefect 1984 • University of Melbourne Supreme Court Prize winner • Former Federal Minister for Health and Ageing • Australia’s first female Attorney General • Chair, Sir Zelman Cowen Centre and Adjunct Professor, Victoria University

The Honourable Mary Wooldridge MP • MLC Hockey, Squash and Debating Captain • MBA, Harvard Business School • Former Victorian Minister for Mental Health, Women’s Affairs and Community Service • State Member for the Eastern Metropolitan Region • Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council and Shadow Minister for Health

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An enduring MLC friendship

Jan Holding (Holt 1954) and Mardi Story (McCallum 1954) met on their very first day at MLC more than 70 years ago. They put their extraordinarily enduring friendship down to a combination of shared interests and shared experiences.

It was 1943 when Jan and Mardi started in the MLC Junior School with the legendary Joan Forster as their teacher.

“Throughout our years at MLC, we always had teachers who were warm and friendly”, recalls Mardi.

Dr Wood stands out in both women’s memories. As well as being their school principal, Dr Wood also officiated at both Jan and Mardi’s weddings in the Fitchett Chapel in the 1960s and christened their children.

“He was a very likeable man, but we were in awe of him. He knew every student in the College and would address you by name if you ran into him in the corridor,” says Mardi.

World War II was in full swing as the girls began their education and both can remember air raid drills and jumping into the trenches that had been dug around the College.

“We didn’t realise how serious it all was,” says Jan.

Both women vividly recall the grey MLC uniforms of their era and the ‘order marks’ that were meted out to students caught not wearing their gloves or hat when leaving the school grounds.

“There was a suggestion box outside the Prefects’ Study and we were always suggesting that the uniform feature more green, but it all fell on deaf ears. By the time the green was introduced, we were no longer students!” recalls Mardi.

Throughout their education at MLC, Jan and Mardi were in the same class together every year bar one. The pair both graduated from MLC’s business diploma course in 1954 and their lives have been intertwined ever since.

“We were both bridesmaids for one another, our husbands used to sail together, our children went to the same primary school,” says Jan. “We’ve always enjoyed each other’s company and we just get along so well. We’ve never said a cross word to one another in more than 72 years!”

Both Jan and Mardi have always enjoyed attending MLC reunions and both return to the College regularly to assist as volunteers in the MLC Development and Advancement Office.

Says Mardi, “The school has a lovely vibe about it. Even after so many years, we still feel very comfortable here.”

Magical MLC friendshipsFriends made at school can often become friends for life, as these stories of MLC friendships reveal.

Leaving school, keeping friendships

Heading into their lives beyond school, Freya Willis, Ahila Navaratnam and Isabelle Nehme (all 2014) know they have one another’s support. Their firm friendship, fostered over their many years together at MLC, will stand them in good stead as they move into the next chapter of their lives.

MLC fostered our friendship, which sparked in primary school, by allowing us to spread ourselves in different directions via House events, co-curricular activities and even academic classes. While the three of us were able to discover our individual interests and ourselves, we were also able to come together and appreciate how each of us had changed and grown for the better. Ahila Navaratnam (2014)

In the MLC environment, where co-curricular activities were an important part of social interactions, it is fitting that some of my favourite memories of my friendship with Ahila and Isabelle are playing GSV netball together in JSS and competing against one another for our respective Houses. I am sure that our shared experiences and recollections of our time at MLC will continue to bind us in years to come. Freya Willis (2014)

I went to Ngukurr and was part of the French Immersion program with Freya and worked alongside Ahila during the Performing Arts Festival. I truly believe that MLC gave the three of us the space we needed for our friendship to grow. Often we see friends and family as two distinct groups, however I have come to realise that people such as Ahila and Freya are a bridge between friends and family for me; they act as a bit of both and that is something I will cherish forever. Isabelle Nehme (2014)

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// Learn more about 21st century learning at mlc.vic.edu.au/star

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The conversations then turned to practice. If we have agreement about the kinds of skills students will need, what does it mean for our teaching? Does our practice support the development of these skills? What opportunities do students have, for example, to practise and demonstrate creativity, collaboration, problem-solving or social responsibility? How do we support the varying interests and abilities of students in developing these skills? How do our subjects and electives allow these learning opportunities to emerge, and do we value such things in our assessment and reporting and celebration of student achievement?

The result of discussion around these questions was to refine the Teacher Development Framework, the professional learning program that underpins teacher growth at MLC. We wanted to emphasise the kind of practice we aim to encourage and develop with teachers collaborating together on curriculum projects, seeing each other teach and sharing good practice and ideas for improvement.

We decided to ask teachers at MLC to focus in 2015 on three curriculum and wellbeing themes as powerful teaching actions likely to lead to 21C skills for students:

• Differentiation is a teacher’s proactive response to the differing needs of the learners in a typical mixed-ability classroom. Teachers might differentiate learning content, process or product based on the student’s readiness, interest or learning profile.

• Engagement is the extent to which students identify with and value educational outcomes, have a sense of belonging, participate and make a personal investment in their learning. Such engagement might be social, academic or intellectual in character.

• Critical thinking is the ability to think rationally, logically, deeply and carefully, to be able to analyse material and opinions from a range of perspectives and make your own judgements; to make sense of the world. Critical thinking in a classroom setting has a double goal: on the one hand, to deepen subject‐matter learning and on the other to cultivate students’ disposition toward thinking.

These ‘themes’ are intended to focus teachers in their improvement plans as we continually look to refine and reshape our sense of just what good learning and teaching looks like in the 21st century. It will be exciting to see how they develop in MLC classrooms during the year ahead.

Warrick Wynne Director of Learning and Curriculum

The process began last year with a close look at some of the models that characterise 21C learning, and the kinds of emphases they take. We were interested in identifying the key skills, attitudes and dispositions our students need in order to refine an MLC skillset. Of course, we were also then very interested in discussing what that skillset meant for teaching now and just what that skillset would look like for teaching practice now

There’s no shortage of models of 21C learning to draw from. Many, like the Melbourne Declaration (2008), an agreement by federal and state governments on shared goals for education, include aspects such as critical thinking, confidence, creativity, the capacity to learn, problem solving and collaboration. Most models are underpinned by bedrock skills in literacy, numeracy and, often, the application of technology.

At staff learning sessions in 2014, MLC teacher teams examined various models and discussed the kind of language and emphasis that would best define these for MLC students. It was interesting to test the models in terms of their emphasis, to examine the language and put them alongside each other.

That discussion resulted in MLC organising our identified 21C skills into four groups, based on the ATC21S (Assessment and Teaching of 21st Century Skills), a worldwide collaboration of academics sponsored by Cisco, Intel and Microsoft.

1. Ways of Thinking – Creativity, critical thinking, problem solving and metacognition are required for deep thinking and powerful learning.

2. Ways of Working – Communication and collaboration skills are essential to working in the world today.

3. Living in the World – Citizenship, life skills and personal responsibilities are necessary for living in the world.

4. Tools for Working – Information and technology literacies.

The 21st century curriculum: world-class teaching and learning

In the last twelve months MLC has made 21st century (21C) learning and teaching a priority. Teachers have re-examined some core beliefs about the kinds of skills, knowledge and practices that students will need as they enter the world of future work and study, as well as the kinds of teacher practice that will support those directions.

[1] Jan Holding (Holt 1954) and Mardi Storey (McCallum 1954) have been friends for more than 70 years. [2] (L – R): Freya Willis, Ahila Navaratnam and Isabelle Nehme (all 2014). [3] (L – R): Year 1 students, Tilda, Emma and Estelle using iPads in the Junior School library.

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[1] Year 4 students, Annabelle (left) and Florence (right) with Prep student, Georgia. [2] Prep student, Edie (left) with Year 4 student, Jacqueline. [3] Prep student, Alexia (left) with Year 4 students Ciara (centre) and Imogen. [4] (L – R): Big sister, Anastasia Yannopoulos (Year 11), Year 7 students, Laura Clarke and Laknasha Piyasena and big sister, Amelia Kruyt (Year 11). [5] New Year 5 students with their buddies. [6] Year 12 student, Jenny Ji, who commenced at MLC at the beginning of this year, with her buddy, Madelyn Hobbs.

Prep and Year 4 buddy program

A highlight for our Year 4 students is having a Prep buddy. The excitement starts at the end of Year 3, when they get to meet and welcome their new buddy to MLC at Prep transition.

On the first few days of school the Year 4 students are there to assist our newest students at recess, to help them get organised and show them around the playground. Each Prep class is paired with a Year 4 class and throughout the year the classes join together for different activities. Structured tasks such as cooking, board games and story writing or meeting up at whole school events or in the playground, provide lots of opportunities for the students to develop lasting friendships.

Our buddy program works both ways; both Prep and Year 4 students very quickly get to know not only their particular buddy but also her friends as well. As one Prep parent said to me recently, “I’m not sure how, but my daughter seems to know all these ‘big girls’ who wave and call her by name when we walk past?”

It is certainly true, our buddy program helps to build many unique friendships in Junior School, and it is a treasured part of our Prep and Year 4 programs.

Fiona Green Prep – Year 2 Co-ordinator

Making new friends: MLC orientation and transition programs

Invaluable support from ‘Big Sisters’

MLC’s Big Sister peer support program aims to smooth the transition to Year 7 by pairing Year 7 students with Year 11 ‘Big Sisters’.

In our first year at MLC, we found the company of the Big Sisters a great help and the comfort and the support offered was a true highlight of our year.

Our Year 7 experience would not have been as successful as it was without this support and assistance. It was really great to know that we always had someone to turn to when we were down or feeling the pressure in this new chapter of our lives. Our Big Sisters were always encouraging us to become involved in different areas of the College and to take every opportunity. They were really respectful people and made us feel like equals. It was also great playing games with them during General Period.

Our Big Sisters arranged amazing events, in and out of Home Group, such as movies and pizza! These events and their wise advice made an atmosphere that brought our entire class together. Everyday, no matter how many tests they had, or how busy they were, our Big Sisters came to our class and brought fun with them.

They never lost their sense of enthusiasm, and with their help none of us did either. We feel that they truly showed the values that MLC promotes and how to approach challenges in our future. They truly were our ‘big sisters’.

Students of 8K

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// See more Prep and Year 4 buddy photos at mlc.vic.edu.au/star

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are new to MLC or moving into Junior Secondary School from the MLC Junior School – are new to secondary school and the orientation program caters to the needs of both continuing students as well as those who are new to the College.

MLC’s Year 7 transition program features many opportunities to become familiar with the Junior Secondary School environment prior to the commencement of the academic year. These include a welcome interview with the Head of Junior Secondary School and a Year 7 Orientation Morning.

Mentors in Middle School

In Middle School the Year 8 to Year 9 Transition Program includes a mentor component where existing students are assigned to new students to assist them. All Middle School Mentors complete a training program that equips them with the skills to offer a new student a very warm welcome to MLC. Middle School Mentors write letters to new students introducing themselves, the College, the House system and co-curricular activities, and these are mailed to new students in the holidays. The day before students return, there is a new student orientation session, where mentors and new students meet. New Middle School students say they appreciate having a familiar face on the first day, and the support of a mentor as they get to know MLC.

Orientation programs in Senior School

In Senior School, a Year 10 to 11 Transition Program is held at the end of the year to assist both current and new students make a smooth transition into Years 11 and 12. This program runs over three days and includes a mix of curriculum based and co-curricular/House activities. In addition, new students are assigned a buddy and encouraged to join current students in attending transition programs.

Jenny Ji recently commenced in Year 12 and said, “The new student orientation program

provided me with the opportunity to adapt to the MLC community quickly, especially through participating in a lot of House activities. My buddy, Maddy, suddenly became my best friend at school, and she makes me really feel I am one of the MLC family members!”

New Senior School students are also invited to a breakfast on their first day, where they meet with their House Co-ordinator, Tutor and buddy and are officially welcomed by the Head of Senior School and Principal, Diana Vernon.

During the early part of the year in Senior School, the focus remains on transition and activities are designed to facilitate students getting to know their peers and teachers, and taking advantage of the many opportunities available to them at MLC.

International student orientation program

The international student orientation program runs one night a week after school for four weeks and covers a range of topics specifically designed to meet the needs of students relocating to a new school, country and culture. Areas covered by the international student orientation program include: student wellbeing, Australian culture, expectations of students, MLC social service programs and information on subject selection and computers/ICT. In addition, students participate in wider College orientation programs. The year starts with an international student orientation the day before school starts. MLC’s International Student Committee, which publishes a newsletter and runs social and community events throughout the year, ensures international students have a ready-made point of contact with others with a common experience.

Welcome to MLC!

As well as being a time of great excitement, starting a new school can be nerve-racking for students (and sometimes their parents!) At MLC we run comprehensive orientation and transition programs at every level, to ensure students feel happy and secure in their new school environment. We want our new students to feel welcome at MLC and know they are a valued member of the College community from the word ‘go’.

Buddy program for new students

A buddy system operates throughout the College and is an important aspect of our orientation program for new students. Every new student is paired up with a buddy when she begins at MLC. The role of the buddy is to introduce the new student to friends, other members of the class/home group, House and also spend time with her during breaks. The buddy program has been designed to ensure that new students have someone they can go to if they have a question regarding their classes, school procedures or even if they are just feeling a bit unsure.

At Year 5 – a major intake year at MLC – students have been very enthusiastic about the buddy program in 2015. Those new to MLC have found it has helped them to settle in quickly and make new friends, with many appreciating the role their buddy has played in showing them around the College and introducing them to new people.

Year 7 orientation

Starting secondary school is the beginning of another phase in students’ lives as they move from the primary years into a new environment. All students – whether they

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Pursuing passions, forging friendships

European history tour

It was a privilege to travel to four spectacular European countries as part of the amazing MLC European History Tour (EHT) group of 2014. Together we climbed Le Tour Eiffel, travelled through Russian countryside and explored the medieval town of Nuremberg in Germany.

Our first stop was Ypres, Belgium. We spent two nights in this very picturesque town, seeing sights and events such as the Menin Gate Last Post ceremony, and exploring the WWI burial grounds of many Allied service men and women. We then drove to Paris, the home of haute couture and the French Revolution. Spending five days in this fairy tale city, we explored the Palace of Versailles, the Louvre, Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe and many other sites of historic significance and beauty.

In Nuremberg we explored the atmospheric market in the old city centre and visited the Nazi rally grounds and the trials court. We then travelled to Berlin, where together we explored the remnants of the Berlin wall, Checkpoint Charlie and the Reichstag and expanded our understanding of the Nazi era and the Cold War. It was special to share both the many incredible things we saw, as well as the challenging and difficult parts of the tour such as visiting Sachsenhausen concentration camp.

Finally, we flew to Russia to explore imperial and Bolshevik St Petersburg and Moscow. Both are stunning cities, especially the Kremlin and the palaces of Russian royalty.

I particularly valued the companionship and the friendships that were forged on the tour – sharing these experiences with the members of the EHT group was very special and gave us all unique memories to treasure.

Siobahn McKenzie, Year 11 student

Literature Club

Literature Club meets every Thursday lunchtime in the reading lounge. We discuss and review books and plan upcoming events like Book Week, lit quizzes and excursions. Lit Club is also a great way to meet like-minded people from all year levels who share an interest in books, reading and talking. One of the best things about Lit Club is that you don’t have to be a massive bookworm or fan girl to experience the many benefits of participation (however bookworms and fan girls are welcome). We talk about books we would like to add to the library, book to movie adaptations and book recommendations.

Lit Club is run by Mr Christiansen and Ms Edwards. We often have students prepare presentations on different genres or authors they enjoy reading. Sometimes we even have guest speakers come in to talk to us about their literary achievements. There is something for everyone in this club, whether you are crazy about books, looking for a new genre to read or even if you just want to come along to make some new friends.

Lit Club is a great way to get interested in different genres and writing styles. Spending time meeting new people and enjoying the fun activities we do in Lit Club is one of the best ways to spend your lunchtimes.

Annabel Eldridge and Shaliz Hosseini, Year 8 students

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[1] European History Tour students at the WWI Flanders battlefields near Ypres, Belgium and [2] at the Brandenburg Gate in Germany. [3] Annabel Eldridge (right) and Shaliz Hosseini say Literature Club is the perfect place to make friends and share a common interest. [4] Melbourne Recital Centre Conenrt 2014. [5] The 2015 MLC rowing squad. [6] MLC rowers (the Greys) head to the start line at Head of School Girls 2015. [7] MLC rowers (the Blacks) repecharge for their semi-final at Head of School Girls.

See more European History Tour photos at mlc.vic.edu.au/star

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Building confidence through music

There are many opportunities for students to perform at MLC and the style of music performance is as varied as the occasion. There are informal recitals, chamber music concerts and Music faculty concerts in Flockart Hall as well as performances during College assemblies, informal music performances ‘On the Stairs’ (Jane Elton-Brown Performing Staircase) and also more formal occasions held in the James Tatoulis Auditorium.

Each music faculty within the Music Department, for example the Percussion faculty, organises their own concerts or soirees as they are often called. These occasions allow students learning instruments from within the faculty the opportunity to perform in public. The performance element of the Music Department’s activities is vital to providing each student with the chance to develop her performance skills in front of an appreciative and supportive audience. There are also great opportunities for students to make friends with members of the ensemble; music performance presents the ideal opportunity to ‘mingle’ with a common purpose!

Christopher Hill, Director of Music

Bonds forged on the water

The MLC rowing squad’s intensive training program includes gym sessions, running the Tan, cross training, rowing sessions on the Yarra, plus a host of team-building rowing camps. This year, the Year 9s had their selections camp at Geelong in January and were challenged by the famous hill sprints that take place at the 500m mark on the Barwon River. The Year 10s had their camps at Geelong and also at Falls Creek, where the girls pushed themselves to complete a 7.5 km run up the mountain. Meanwhile, the senior girls had a December camp at Nagambie, which included sculling selections and a festive theme, as well as a camp in January at Bairnsdale, where the senior rowing crews were selected for the season.

Going through these physically and mentally demanding camps is worth it when you know that all the girls are pushing as hard as you to help produce a tough, hardworking and supportive squad. When we were off the water at camps, we made funky raps, learnt dances, kicked the soccer ball around and blasted the soundcloud remixs, but rowing camps and rowing sessions aren’t all fun and games.

When we are in the boat we are there to train hard, so that we can race hard. All crews have goals they want to achieve by the time we reach the Head of School Girls regatta in March and our rigorous program of training sessions and camps mean we are ready to tackle this event and its lead-up with a high level of support and determination spread throughout the squad.

Having the MLC rowing squad include students from Years 9 to 12 allows us to create new friendships and mix with girls with whom we may not have any contact during the school day. This squad has become very close and I know the friendships and camaraderie will stay with us forever.

Georgia Fink, Rowing Captain 2015

// Read about MLC’s impressive 2015 Head of Schoolgirls results at mlc.vic.edu.au/star

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The MLC drum line enters the College through the historic Krome Gates on Founders’ Day 2015.

MLC NewsFounders’ Day 2015 The MLC community celebrated the College’s 133rd birthday on Friday, 13 February 2015. In what has become a significant annual tradition for the MLC community, all students, parents, past students and friends of the College entered MLC via the beautiful Krome Gates on the morning of Founders’ Day, after which a special assembly commemorated the foundation of MLC on Valentine’s Day 1882.

Twilight Makers’ Market at MLC Now in its fifth year, the Twilight Makers’ Market was once again held last November and it was a huge success. Lots of people came along and enjoyed this fabulous event. With plenty of food on offer from wood fired pizza, pretzels, cupcakes and crepes, to coffee and a fabulous sausage sizzle, it was the perfect opportunity to catch up with friends and family and do a spot of shopping. Run by MLC’s Friends of Art parent committee and the Visual Arts Department, the market was conceived as an interactive acquisitive exhibition showcasing a broad range of creative local talent and celebrating hand-made. The market continues to grow and last year featured over 50 stalls run by incredibly creative people selling their products including textiles, ceramics, jewellery, glass, woodwork, illustrations, leather work and a number of fabulous food products such as preserves, gingerbread houses and baked goods.

MLC student wins first place in the 2014 Food Design challenge. Year 11 VCE Food and Technology student, Emma McShane, won first prize in The Food Design Challenge 2014 which is run by Home Economics Victoria. Students in Years 11 and 12 were required to design, produce and evaluate their own original sweet or savoury bread variation using the basic quick bread recipe from Cookery the Australian Way. Food styling was an essential component of the task and students were expected to style and photograph their product. MLC students were allowed one week to research and experiment at home before the project was undertaken as a classroom activity which formed part of their assessment in product design. There was emphasis placed on the fact that the recipes needed to be healthy with consideration given to the use of fresh ingredients rather than packaged, pre-packaged or processed foods. Emma’s winning creation was an orange, blueberry and chia seed spelt bread. Emma was inspired by healthy food and wanted to develop a bread that was high in nutrition.

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MLC supports our friends in Vanuatu When tropical cyclone Pam tore through the Pacific in March, Tanna Island in Vanuatu was one of the hardest hit areas. Alongside the Jump Start Foundation charity, MLC’s Junior Secondary School students in particular have a special friendship with the Isangel Community on Tanna Island, and support Isangel Central Primary School as their international charity. To assist those affected by tropical cyclone Pam, on 26 March MLC classes stopped at 10.00 am for ten minutes, and every student and staff member was invited to contribute to the appeal, in an effort to raise $10,000 to help the people of Tanna Island. Parents were also invited to make a donation. Continuing MLC’s long tradition of generously supporting those in need, the College community raised a staggering $32,072 to assist Tanna Islanders. An incredible effort!

Sound of Music charity concert When students return from Marshmead they develop a plan to link their learning from Marshmead to their lives back at Kew. These plans focus around the principles of community, environmental or personal sustainability. As part of their plan, two students, Joanne Kwon and Hui Lin Chua, put together a charity concert to support and raise funds for the Statewide Vision Resource Centre (SVRC). Tickets could be purchased with money or by donating a second hand instrument. The concert was a great success with over $4000 being raised along with a number of instruments being donated for the SVRC’s Support Skills Program and Dot Power Program,

where children are taught specialist skills and braille music. The SVRC will use the money to buy and repair second-hand instruments so they can establish a music library for visually impaired children who would often miss out on the chance to be involved in school music activities.

Girls’ Leadership Summit MLC Year 9 student Thanushi Peiris, was selected from applicants across the country to join a delegation travelling to Canberra, led by child rights organisation Plan International Australia. Their purpose was to raise the issue of the rights of young women to some of Australia’s most prominent politicians. The delegation was a diverse group of people aged between 13 and 26 years from across Australia, as well as two delegates from Pakistan, who had spent time listening to the voices of girls in our communities about the changes they believe would create a better world to empower all girls. Plan International’s survey of 1,000 girls and consultations with 450 more has helped us to understand the issues facing girls. This information was compiled in a report called ‘Our Book of Ambitions.’ At the Girls’ Leadership Summit in Canberra, the group presented the report to Parliament and asked many politicians, including Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Ambassador for Women and Girls, Natasha Stott Despoja, to commit to fighting for gender equality both in Australia and around the world.

Fundraising for CIKA Since 2006 a significant amount of money has been raised by MLC students for Cancer in

Kids @ RCH (CIKA). These students are part of a Home Economics subject called Cooking for Cash. The girls run a small catering business and staff at the College purchase the goods produced – muesli, sausage rolls, banana and blueberry bread and Thai green curry have been enjoyed throughout year. The program has raised over $10,000 since its inception and last year added another $1,534 to the total. Teacher, Debbie Hudson, has nothing but praise for the team of girls who work incredibly hard to fill the orders in a short space of time. While the staff enjoy the fruits of their labour, CIKA benefits from their earnings.

Junior School students celebrate Chinese New Year In Term 1, students in Years 1, 3 and 4 participated in Chinese New Year celebrations via an incursion from Cultural Infusion. In Junior School, we are committed to developing students understanding, awareness and appreciation of different cultures. As well as supporting the Year 3 Integrated Unit of Festivals and Celebrations, this incursion was designed to contribute towards developing global citizens within Junior School. Students participated in a Chinese Lion Dance, Fan Dance and a Ribbon Dance, and they learnt the significance of each dance to Chinese New Year celebrations. Jocelyn Chan in 4C reflected on the morning, and said, “I liked doing the dance with the fans because it looked really elegant and pretty. It made me think of butterflies.”

Students raised more than $32,000 to support our friends in Vanuatu following tropical cyclone Pam.

[1] Principal, Diana Vernon with students at Founders’ Day 2015. [2] Twilight Market. [3] Food Design Challenge winner, Emma McShane (Year 11). [4] Joanne Kwon and Hui Lin Chua with representatives from Statewide Vision Resource Centre (SVRC). [5] Year 9 student, Thanushi Peiris (front row, far left) with delegates at the Girls’ Leadership Summit. [6] Fundraising for CIKA (L – R): Ezri Chow, AnnaRose Keating, Matilda Bertalli and Stefanie Plavoulis. [7] (L – R): Anika, Chiara and Samantha celebrate Chinese New Year in Junior School.

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// Read more MLC News at mlc.vic.edu.au/star

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Amanda Lucas Deputy Director of MLC Libraries, Teacher Librarian

A former MLC student, Amanda Lucas (1979) had no set plan to return to the College, however serendipity intervened.

“I saw a position advertised and thought ‘why not apply?’ Eighteen years later and I still love my role within MLC Libraries. MLC is a very different organisation to when I was a student here, but its wonderful sense of tradition and community remain.”

As Deputy Director, MLC Libraries, Amanda’s role is dynamic and multi-faceted.

“On any given day I might be delivering a research skills session to Year 8 students, collaborating with team members to arrange an author visit or literary lunch, contributing to our ‘makerspaces’ program for students through our craft club and digital tinkering opportunities or helping an IB student with her extended essay research.”

“MLC Libraries are continually engaging with cutting edge practice, so it’s an exciting place to work. MLC had one of the earliest school library websites and we are constantly working to deliver a truly contemporary library environment for students and staff.”

Against the backdrop of ever-changing technologies, a key focus for Amanda and other members of the MLC Libraries team is on preparing students for their futures.

“Our goal is to equip students with a wide range of digital

and information skills they can use throughout their education and importantly, in their lives beyond school.”

“We focus very much on developing students’ lifelong learning and aim to introduce them to as wide a variety of resources and pathways to knowledge as possible.”

Across more than two decades in education, Amanda has seen school libraries transformed.

“In the early 1990s it was all about newspaper vertical files and CD ROMs. There have been incredible changes thanks to technology, but more than ever, students need to develop the capacity for critical thinking in terms of how they approach information.”

Originally a History and English teacher, Amanda says she loves the unique opportunities that come with being a teacher librarian.

“I love working with young people, in particular the opportunity to help them navigate the digital age. MLC students are enthusiastic, eager to learn and just delightful to work with.”

“I feel privileged to be part of a school library environment that is so well resourced, and I also value MLC’s commitment to ongoing teacher professional development.”

“The College has a vibrant culture as well as an emphasis on social awareness which really resonates with me. MLC equips students to become global citizens and it is wonderful to be involved in that journey through my role in MLC Libraries.”

Shelley Wickham (1997) College Nurse and Health Centre Co-ordinator

“It’s incredibly varied – no two days are ever the same!” says Shelley Wickham (1997) of her busy role as MLC’s College Nurse and Healthcare Co-ordinator.

Overseeing the health needs of MLC students and staff is a wide-ranging role. Among other things, on any given day you might find Shelley customising first aid kits for teachers to take on excursions or overseas trips; presenting a talk on personal health to students in assembly; and of course, providing treatment and care to students with minor ailments.

“We generally look after between 30 and 50 students per day. The most common things students present with are sore tummies and headaches. Junior School girls might come in after scraping a knee in the yard, and the older girls see us if they are injured playing sport. Of course in winter we are flooded with girls with coughs and colds!”

As well as providing on-the-spot care for students and staff across the College, Shelley and her team of registered nurses coordinate MLC’s delivery of the council’s immunisation program and also ensure all students at risk of conditions such as anaphylaxis and asthma have up-to-date management plans.

“I feel very lucky to work in such a well staffed and well resourced health centre environment. There’s not much we can’t provide for the students,” she says.

Shelley is a former MLC student and her family has a long history at the College. Her grandmother, mother, aunts, sisters and cousin also attended MLC.

“It’s really nice to have that connection to the College and it’s great to be back at the school as a staff member. MLC is a very supportive place to work and its wider community is very welcoming and connected. I still have many friends from my school days and enjoy going along to my year level reunions.”

Before joining the MLC staff, Shelley spent more than a decade working at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Parkville.

“I really love working with young people. At the Children’s I spent many years on the neurology ward as well as working throughout other parts of the hospital.”

Shelley says the interaction with students is her favourite part of working in a school environment.

“I feel fortunate at MLC in that I get to see students when they are healthy as well as when they are not. It’s lovely to watch the girls grow up and see them develop into confident, happy young women.”

Staff spotlights

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From running in cross country to dancing on stage in the House Performing Arts Festival to solving maths problems in class, I’ve been lucky enough to share each experience with a friend beside me. Realising this, I decided that above all else, this year I wanted us to be the women who weren’t afraid to be ourselves. Despite the fact that we each wear the same green uniform, every single one of us is incredibly unique, with so much to offer. This year I am learning as much from my subject teachers, as I am from the girls around me.

Our student theme for 2015 is HEROES, because every girl at MLC has the power to be Hardworking, Enthusiastic, Responsible, Open-minded, Empowered and Successful. Each student I’ve had the pleasure of meeting has the potential to be her own hero and a hero for someone else.

While 2015 is proving to be as tough, exciting, rewarding and fun as I’d anticipated, I feel privileged to lead a group of 43 incredible prefects, each of whom is contributing in her own dynamic way. Just like The Avengers, we are a team that works together and complements one another’s skills and abilities. I am enjoying giving back to the College in my final year, as I’ve come to understand that MLC is a positive learning environment where you can make many friendships and connections with peers, and ultimately have the opportunity to be a role model and leader for younger students too.

As we journey through our final year, the knowledge that there is always a friend looking out for us – a hero – is something incredibly special.

Evelyn Konstantopoulos Senior Prefect 2015

Leaders, friends and heroes

In January, I was fortunate to attend the Alliance of Girls’ Schools Student Leadership Conference on the Gold Coast, along with more than 160 young female leaders from Singapore, New Zealand, The Philippines, Hong Kong, Australia and the US. On the plane home, I thought about what I’d like to achieve as Senior Prefect this year. It struck me that many of my fondest memories at MLC have been those shared with the girls in the Class of 2015.

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[1] 2015 Prefect Executive (L – R): Deputy Senior Prefect, Jessica Anderson; Deputy Senior Prefect, Laura McArthur; Senior Prefect, Evelyn Konstantopoulos; Head of Houses, Alice Spencer; and Head of Boarding House, Ningjing Wang. [2][3][4] In keeping with the 2015 student theme of HEROES, prefects dressed up as someone who had inspired them on the final evening of this year’s successful Prefect Leaders’ camp.

18Meet the 2015 MLC Board of DirectorsLouise Adler AM Chairperson Louise Adler AM is the CEO and Publisher-in-Chief of Melbourne University Publishing. She is the President of the Australian Publishers Association and serves on a number of arts boards including the Board of the Melbourne International Arts Festival. At the end of 2013 she retired after 14 years of service as a Council Member and Deputy Chancellor of Monash University. Louise’s academic career includes university teaching roles overseas and in Australia, where most recently she was the Deputy Director (Academic & Research) at the Victorian College of the Arts. She has been the Editor of the Australian Book Review, the Arts and Entertainment Editor for The Age and the Publishing Director of Reed Books in Australia. As Chairperson of the MLC Board of Directors, Louise is delighted to contribute to the ongoing success of the College as a leading educational institution.

Brendan Fleiter Deputy Chair/Chair, MLC Foundation /past parent Until 2009 Brendan Fleiter was CEO of the Crazy John’s group of companies. Previously, he was a partner in a commercial law firm. He now holds several non-executive directorships and has a range of business and philanthropic interests including Deputy Chair of the MLC Board, Chair of the MLC Foundation, Director of Volleyball Victoria and Director of the Ilhan Food Allergy Foundation Ltd, a philanthropic organisation which funds research and promotes education on food allergies in children. Brendan’s three daughters all attended MLC from Junior School, and completed Year 12 at the College in 2009, 2010 and 2012 respectively.

Elida Brereton (1961) Past student Elida Brereton (1961) has been a teacher and for 17 years a secondary school principal, in the government

school system, and currently is employed part-time by the Department of Education as a mentor of aspiring principals. She is a former National President and Fellow of the Australian College of Educators and Fellow of the Australian Council of Educational Leaders. Elida attended MLC for her secondary education and is the current President of the MLC Old Collegians’ Club Council. She has extensive experience in school reviews, principal selection and school governance.

Amanda Buckley Current parent Amanda Buckley, a former journalist and speechwriter, is a corporate communications professional. She spent almost ten years in the mining industry managing media issues for BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto in Darwin and Melbourne, and for several years served as Counsellor-Public Affairs at the Australian Embassy in Washington DC. A former school council member in the Northern Territory, Amanda’s community engagement includes membership of the Essendon Cricket Club Committee. Amanda has two children, one currently in the Senior School at MLC.

Jenepher Dakis Past parent Jen Dakis is a consultant psychiatrist with more than 25 years experience in public mental health at Royal Melbourne Hospital where she devotes considerable time to trainee education and mentoring. Her eldest daughter completed Year 12 at MLC in 2012 and her youngest daughter did so in 2014. As an MLC parent, Jen has been actively involved in the MLC Parents’ Association including three years as President (2012 – 2014). Jen brings to the MLC Board her knowledge of the College, her experience as the School Council President at her daughters’ primary school and her commitment to mental health and wellbeing.

Ross Howie SC Past parent/current grandparent Ross Howie is a lawyer, having worked as a solicitor for ten years, as principal legal officer for the Aboriginal Legal

Service and Central Land Council in Alice Springs for six years, and as a barrister for 20 years. He was a judge of the County Court of Victoria from 2002 to 2012. He is a member of the Uniting Church. His two daughters and three nieces attended MLC and his granddaughter is a current student at MLC. Ross is a Synod-approved Director.

Elizabeth Knight (1997) Past student Elizabeth Knight (1997) is currently a researcher at Monash University where she is undertaking her PhD. She worked at Monash University as a careers counsellor for five years. She was previously involved with initial teacher education at what is now the UCL Institute of Education in London and is now their alumni ambassador in Australia. She sits on the board of Disability Discrimination Legal Service and the Australian and New Zealand History of Education society. Elizabeth brings skills in educational technology and new media as well as particular interests in student transitions to higher education, extension education and supporting students with disabilities.

Andrew Newbold Current parent Andrew Newbold is a qualified lawyer with more than 20 years experience in the practice of commercial law. He is currently the President of the Hawthorn Football Club and Chairman of the education business, SEDA which has over 2,000 Year 11 and 12 students currently enrolled. He has been a director of not-for-profit organisations, Vicdeaf and the Australian Childhood Foundation. Andrew is married to Sarah and they have three daughters, two of whom are current MLC students.

Marjorie Nicholas (Thompson 1956) Past student Marjorie Nicholas (Thompson 1956) is a lawyer by profession, with extensive and broad ranging experience in legal practice and corporate governance. Marjorie also brings to the Board her close personal connection with MLC. Marjorie completed her secondary education as a boarder at MLC, and

two daughters and two granddaughters are alumnae. She was chair of the former MLC Development Committee, and headed fundraising efforts for major College facilities. She is a Patron of the MLC Foundation, and remains passionately committed to the advancement of the status of women, with strong emphasis on education and merit-based opportunity. Marjorie is a Synod-approved Director.

Tony Peake Current parent Tony Peake is the Managing Partner Finance and Operations of PwC Australia, and focuses on the government sector. In addition to being on the MLC Board of Directors, Tony is a Member of the Council of the University of Melbourne (where he chairs the University Risk Committee and is a member of both the Finance Committee and Remuneration and Employment Conditions Committee) and a director of Melbourne University Publishing. Tony and his wife have one daughter at MLC (plus one who graduated in 2014). Tony’s interests include the arts (visual and performance), education and diversity in the workplace. He brings expertise in business, accounting and governance to the MLC Board.

Bernard Salt Past parent Bernard Salt is a KPMG partner as well as the author of several highly regarded books dealing with social and cultural change. For more than 20 years Bernard has featured regularly in the Australian media offering incisive social commentary and trend forecasting. A skilled communicator, Bernard is also one of the most in-demand corporate speakers within Australia and overseas. Bernard is The Australian newspaper’s Social Editor, an adjunct professor at Curtin University Business School, a board member of the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art and a frequent guest on numerous radio and television programs. A past parent, Bernard’s daughter, Zoe, attended MLC between 2002 and 2007.

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Beef and Burgundy tradition continues

One of Term One’s key events, specifically for MLC dads and guardians, was the Beef and Burgundy evening, which was held in Betty Jackson Hall in late February. This event was started in 2008 by a group of dads who wanted an opportunity to engage with other MLC fathers in a relaxed, informal atmosphere. The inaugural event was such a success and that another was scheduled for later that same year! That tradition has continued, with two Beef and Burgundy evenings held each year. Over the years, there have been many esteemed guest speakers from fields including sport (Neil Balme, Max Walker, Tony Morwood, Andrew Newbold), journalism (Tim Lane, Nick McKenzie, John Silvester), politics (The Hon Josh Frydenberg), finance (Alan Kohler) and social commentary (Bernard Salt). In 2015, all present enjoyed hearing from renowned chef, and businessman, Guy Grossi.

As the father of a girl new to MLC this year, the Beef and Burgundy evening was a great way for me to start connecting with the school and other parents. While an excuse to get together shouldn’t really be necessary, in my experience events like these provide a catalyst for meeting new people and building a sense of community. Bringing into the mix a speaker of the calibre of Guy Grossi made it all the more enjoyable. I met a number of fun people, Guy took us on an engaging journey through his industry and most memorably, the evening reinforced the importance of the bond between father and daughter. Ken Barnes (father of Natalie, Year 7)

The Beef and Burgundy evenings have morphed from an ad hoc, impromptu gathering of MLC dads to an eagerly anticipated cornerstone of the MLC annual calendar. The events cut across year levels and invite MLC fathers to share a meal together over a glass of wine, good conversation and the enlightened words of a guest speaker. While not wishing to sell short the delicious porterhouse (medium rare, of course), the real draw card of these evenings is the calibre of the guest speakers and the first for 2015 – Guy Grossi – was no exception. The Beef and Burgundy events are a unique opportunity for dads to step away from the daily grind,

come together and share one another’s time. This in turn reinforces the strength of the MLC community that supports, guides and develops our daughters. Simon Olive (father of Annabelle, Year 4, Millie, Year 6, and Hannah, Year 9)

The Beef and Burgundy event was a relaxed evening of interesting conversation. It was a welcome chance to catch up with friends and make new connections, and a great opportunity to hear the opinions of speakers who are in the public eye but who we wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to interact with. Michael Murray (father of Julia, Year 9)

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[1] MLC Board of Directors (L – R): Marjorie Nicholas (Thompson 1956); Ross Howie SC; Deputy Chari and Chair, MLC Foundation, Brendan Fleiter; Elizabeth Knight (1997); Principal, Diana Vernon; Chairperson, Louise Adler AM; Jenepher Dakis; Amanda Buckley; Elida Brereton (1961); Bernard Salt; Tony Peake; and Andrew Newbold. [2] Beef and Burgundy 2015 (L – R): Loredana Grossi (2008); guest speaker, Guy Grossi; Principal, Diana Vernon; and Vice Principal, Mark Gray. [3][4] MLC dads at the first Beef and Burgundy evening for 2015.

Parents’ Association update

From the President

Parents and guardians form a vital part of the broader MLC community as part of the MLC Parents’ Association (PA). The start of the year is always a really exciting time as we welcome new parents to the College and widen our existing parent networks through the many year level events and special interest group activities that occur. The PA Executive were thrilled to welcome a very large and enthusiastic group of Year 7 parents to a coffee morning in Flockart Hall on the first day of the year. It was fantastic

to hear their lively conversation and see their keen interest to join the various committees on offer or to volunteer at the Star Café, as Year Level Reps, or simply to attend some of the social events. As the year continues, each year level from Prep to Year 12 will hold their own social gatherings. Undoubtedly, these are great ways to form new friendships, share information and provide support to our girls and to each other. I look forward to meeting as many parents as possible at PA events scheduled throughout 2015.

Melissa Fletcher President, MLC Parents’ Association

// See more Beef and Burgundy photos at mlc.vic.edu.au/star

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Annual MLC Foundation Dinner

Guest of honour, Leigh Sales, award winning author and journalist

Date: Friday, 21 August 2015 Time: 7.00pm for 7.30pm Venue: MCC Members’ Dining Room Dress: Cocktail/lounge suit Cost: $145 pp includes pre-dinner drinks, three course meal and all beverages.The MLC Foundation warmly invites all members of the College community to join us at the 2015 MLC Foundation Dinner.

We are honoured to announce that the guest speaker at the 2015 MLC Foundation Dinner will be respected ABC journalist, Leigh Sales.Guest speaker Leigh Sales is an award-winning author and journalist at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and currently anchors the 7.30 program.Until 2011, Leigh Sales anchored the prestigious Lateline program, interviewing major figures including Hillary Clinton, Tony Blair and Henry Kissinger.From 2001 to 2005, she was the ABC’s Washington Correspondent, covering stories including the aftermath of September 11, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the 2004 Presidential election and Hurricane Katrina. From 2006 to 2008, Leigh was the ABC’s National Security Correspondent, before joining Lateline.In 2005, Leigh won a Walkley Award, Australia’s highest journalism honour, for her coverage of Guantanamo Bay and the case of David Hicks. Her subsequent book, Detainee 002, was shortlisted for the 2008 Victorian Premier’s Literary Prize and won the 2007 George Munster award for independent journalism. In 2012 Leigh was again presented the prestigious Walkley Award for best interviews for her work on 7.30.Leigh worked for the Nine Network before joining the ABC and her writing has appeared in The Australian, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Monthly, The Spectator and The Australian Literary Review.

Book your seat at the Annual Foundation Dinner at www.trybooking.com/HFFX

Annual Giving – making a world of difference

Each year, the College reaches out to our community to seek support to invest in current and future generations of students in a practical and meaningful way.

Annual giving is the foundation of all philanthropy and provides an opportunity for every member of our community to invest in MLC. Whether you are a current parent, past or future parent, a grandparent, Old Collegian, staff member or friend of the College – collectively we can make a real difference.

Why contribute to Annual Giving? Members of our community express different reasons for making a contribution to MLC. Past students often feel a desire to give back to their school and provide opportunities for future alumnae. Current parents donate as they know their daughters are the real and immediate beneficiaries. Past parents give in appreciation of the life-changing experiences their daughters had at MLC, while friends of the College give to acknowledge MLC’s positive impact on the wider community.

Donors can direct their donation to one of our tax deductible funds (MLC’s scholarship fund, building fund or library fund) or to the Dr Wood Scholarship fund which allows students with a direct family connection to an Old Collegian the opportunity to attend MLC (not tax deductible).

How to give In response to demand we are delighted to launch online giving, however this is only one way that you can contribute to MLC’s Annual Giving program. There are many options:

• Make a donation online – visit www.mlc.vic.edu.au/donations

• Contact MLC’s Foundation Office – Maria Mercuri, Manager, Development and Advancement on +61 9274 6308 or email: foundation@mlc.vic.edu.au

• Members of our community will also shortly receive an Annual Giving brochure, which includes a tear-off donation slip.

In my first full year as Principal of MLC, please join me in making a gift that will make the world of difference to the global citizens of tomorrow – our students. I look forward to personally thanking you.

Diana Vernon Principal

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Save the date

The 2015 Stella Argentea Society lunch will be held on Tuesday, 10 November 2015. Principal, Diana Vernon looks forward to meeting our members at this annual function to acknowledge and thank our valued bequestors.

Tenth birthday celebration

MLC’s Stella Argentea Society turned ten in 2014.

To celebrate, members joined together for lunch hosted by Principal, Diana Vernon, who thanked members for their foresight in securing the ongoing learning and strong traditions at MLC.

Member profile: Margaret Leach (Bruce 1955)

When Margaret Leach (Bruce 1955) attended MLC, each and every school day began with an assembly.

“These were held in Fitchett Hall and they were a lovely way to start the day. I still have an abiding love of John Wesley hymns as a result of all those school mornings singing our hearts out.”

Margaret fondly recalls key staff members such as music teacher, Ruth Flockhart and of course Principal, Dr Wood.

“I think many of the girls in my year would say Dr Wood was a leading figure in the formation of their character. Many of his maxims and wise ways have stayed with me throughout my life.”

Margaret says MLC instilled her with important life lessons and values such as honesty and loyalty.

“Individual differences were also celebrated at MLC in the 1950s. It was reinforced to us that we all had unique qualities and talents.”

After she left school, Margaret went onto the University of Melbourne before teaching at MacRobertson Girls’ High School then entering the public service. She decided to include MLC in her will as a way of thanking the College for her high standard of education.

“MLC really shaped my opportunities in life. As a scholarship recipient, I benefitted from the generosity of others. Leaving a bequest to the College gives me a sense of satisfaction knowing that I could have an impact on someone else’s life. I see my bequest as an investment in the future of MLC.”

Margaret attends Stella Argentea Society events and says she particularly enjoyed the recent 10th birthday celebration.

“I was fortunate to sit next to Principal, Diana Vernon. Speaking with her I feel confident the College is in marvellous hands moving into the future.”

Celebrating the legacy of Dr Wood

In 2003, I was awarded the Dr Wood Scholarship, named after my great-grandfather Dr Alfred Harold Wood.

I wholeheartedly believe in scholarship programs that assess not only academic achievement, but also work around the values of community and social awareness – things that Dr Wood held dear.

This aspect of community service is directly related to my one outstanding memory of my time at MLC. In Year 10, my form dedicated our social service

efforts towards the World Vision Sudan Appeal, and brainstormed a campaign later called ‘$10,000 in 10 minutes’. This campaign quickly became a school-wide cause, and on the day of collection and counting we raised well over $20,000. Although not always obvious, the giving and generous spirit of Dr Wood lives on in the values of MLC students.

I believe the International Baccalaureate (IB) program prepared me for my time at university. The breadth of subjects taught me diversity of thought, and learning to manage the demands of the program has enabled me to cope with the pressures of university and work. In addition, the IB provided me with academic skills such as writing,

deep reading and referencing that have directly contributed to my university achievements.

Since graduating in 2006, I have studied a Diploma of Hospitality Management, as well as beginning a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts at ANU. I have lived in Edinburgh for two years, travelled extensively in the United Kingdom and Europe, and am now studying a Bachelor of Arts majoring in History and Anthropology. My future continues to open up to me through my studies, as do my career opportunities. I am currently working as a student ambassador at La Trobe University.

Susannah Ostojic (2006)

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[1] Principal, Diana Vernon with guests at the Stella Argentea Society tenth birthday lunch. [2] OCC Patron, Val Kerr (1937) with Year 12 student and harpist, Joy-Helena Ferrari.

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Community news

2014 Valedictory Dinner

The 2014 Valedictory Dinner – a formal opportunity to farewell the Class of 2014 – was held at Etihad Stadium. In an uplifting address, 2014 Valedictorian, Freya Willis described the sense of personal achievement, confidence and resilience that an MLC education affords its students:

“We have been pushed out of our comfort zones; be it sea kayaking for the first time, sharing a house at Marshmead, singing in PAF or trying out for a GSV sport, and yet here we all are. We cannot underestimate how much we have achieved, learnt and grown. The countless triumphs and occasional downfalls have made us the resilient young women we are today.”

President of the Old Collegians’ Club Council, Elida Brereton (1961), welcomed the Class of 2014 as lifetime members of the OCC and offered the following words of advice:

“A famous Old Collegian once said: “You can spot an MLC girl in a crowd from a hundred metres away” and I agree: you are wonderful girls who display confidence, curiosity, empathy and energy, and I urge you to take these traits into your future life – to be what MLC proudly claims: world-ready women, able to go anywhere and to do anything, with confidence and consideration of others, and to make a positive difference as so many MLC girls have done before you.”

Public Hanging 2015

The East-Asian Australasian Flyway is the circuit flown annually by migratory shorebirds between their breeding grounds above the Arctic circle and their summer ‘overwintering’ grounds in Australia and New Zealand. Inspired by the Flyway Print Exchange – an international environmental art project featuring 20 artists from nine countries linked by the East-Asian Australasian Flyway – staff from the MLC Art Department presented a collection of their own stunning bird and Flyway-related artworks for the annual Public Hanging Exhibition, which opened on 10 March. On show until 13 May 2015 in Principal’s Administration at MLC, all proceeds from Public Hanging 2015 will be directed towards BirdLife Australia for Shorebird Research Projects.

Welcome to new parents

Principal, Diana Vernon hosted new MLC parents at a function in the James Tatoulis Auditorium in early March. This annual event was an opportunity to welcome new parents to the College and for new families to mix with one another in a relaxed environment. Parents enjoyed meeting and hearing from Principal, Diana Vernon and chatting with her throughout the evening.

Principal’s thank you to volunteers

The MLC community benefits from the efforts of a large number of volunteers including current parents, Old Collegians, grandparents and guardians who contribute their time and expertise to support the College. At a function held in November 2014, our many dedicated volunteers were warmly thanked and acknowledged by Principal, Diana Vernon, for the important role they play in the partnership of educating our students.

2015 Australia Day honours

The MLC community congratulates Esther Wood OAM (Hole 1960) on being awarded an Order of Australia Medal for service to education, and to hockey, and Joan Clemenger AO (Richards 1948) for distinguished service to the visual and performing arts as a benefactor, patron and supporter, and through philanthropic contributions to a range of charitable organisations, and to the community.

100th birthday milestone

Congratulations to Rita Langham (Blair 1932) who celebrated her 100th birthday on 27 November 2014.

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Redevelopment of the Richmond Rowing Club

MLC’s longstanding partnership with the Richmond Rowing Club has been further cemented via the completion of a world-class facilities redevelopment at the boathouse on the banks of the Yarra River. Facilities that were upgraded include boat storage bays, gym, classroom space, change-rooms, kitchen and outdoor terrace. The project was a collaboration involving MLC, the Richmond Rowing Club, Melbourne City Council, the Department of Sustainability and Environment and FMSA Architects.

At a function to celebrate the redevelopment’s completion, the MLC community was honoured to have as its guests, four members of the MLC crew who competed in – and won – the inaugural Head of Schoolgirls Regatta in 1985: Sandra Barnes (McKellar 1985), Sue Tresidder (Varley 1985), Claire Bonnett (Harding 1986) and Carolyn Bromley (1985). MLC has an exceptionally strong rowing program and our students have won the 2014 Head of Schoolgirls Regatta many times since 1985, including in 2014. The new facilities at the Richmond Rowing Club will provide additional opportunities for our students and support growth of the MLC rowing program in the years ahead.

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From the MLC Archives

MLC’s World War I nursing sisters

More than 3,000 Australian nurses volunteered during the Great War. Among them were eighteen MLC Old Collegians who attended MLC in the 1890s and 1900s and went on to serve at the Front. Their names appear on a 1918 Honour Board in the Fitchett Chapel foyer. Thanks to recent funding from the Australian Government’s ANZAC Local Community Grants Program, the Board has undergone a complete restoration and will be re-dedicated this year as part of MLC’s ANZAC commemorations.

The experiences of MLC’s Old Collegian nurses were diverse. They were stationed in Greece, Egypt, France, England, or India and worked at clearing stations, military hospitals and on hospital ships. Mary Cameron, charge nurse at the New Zealand Stationary Hospital in Port Said, Egypt, was permanently disabled in a submarine attack on the transport ship Marquette. She received a Royal Red Cross Medal, First Class. A character in Thomas Keneally’s recent book, The Daughters of Mars, was based on her story. Beryl Sampson escaped a similar ship attack on the Mooltan when she and 300 other nurses landed safely in Egypt. Muriel Barnard served in Heliopolis and France, and later nursed at the St Kilda Road Base Hospital and assisted with medical research at Berkeley University. Ellen May Bickford nursed in Abbassia (Egypt) and Salonika (Greece) for nearly two years. Another Old Collegian, Lydia Grant, very sadly died in 1917 after contracting an infection at a British hospital.

These women and their Old Collegian nursing colleagues certainly exemplify the bravery of their generation. They are an inspiration to our current school community as we commemorate the ANZAC Centenary.

[1][2][3] 2014 Valedictory Dinner. [4] Welcome to new parents. [5] Principal’s thank you to volunteers. [6] Esther Wood OAM (Hole 1960). [7] Joan Clemenger AO (Richards 1948). [8] Centenarian, Rita Langham (Blair 1932). [9] (L – R): Rod Allen, Bertrand Honore, Bev Laussen, Rod McCallum and Chris White. [10] (L – R): Sandra Barnes (McKellar 1985), Sue Tresidder (Varley 1985), Claire Bonnett (Harding 1986) and Carolyn Bromley (1985).

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OCC News

From the PresidentIt is wonderful to see two Old Collegians on the cover of this issue of The Star!

On behalf of the Old Collegians’ Club Council I welcome you to our 111th year of events and celebrations. It has been a privilege for me to lead the Club again and I thank the OCC Council for electing me to the role of President for one more year.

The OCC Council continues to focus on how we may assist our Old Collegians and the College. We range in age from recent MLC graduates to those with many years ‘under our belt’, and I thank each member sincerely.

We congratulate Principal, Diana Vernon, staff and students of MLC for the outstanding VCE and IB results achieved by students in 2014, and for student involvement in all aspects of College life. All past students automatically become members of the Old Collegians’ Club and I know that the ‘world-ready’ Class of 2014 will continue to bring credit and praise to MLC.

I hope these girls maintain strong links with their peers, staff and other MLC students as they begin the next chapter of their lives, because there is great value and pleasure to be derived from connectedness, rekindled friendships and networking with Old Collegians from all walks of life.

The OCC is hosting a range of events in 2015 and I hope to see as many past students as possible at these upcoming occasions. Your involvement in College and OCC events and your contributions in any way to MLC are always greatly appreciated.

Elida Brereton (1961) President, Old Collegians’ Club

Cementing a friendship via the OCC Council After graduating, we both attended Networking Breakfasts hosted by the OCC and really saw the value in staying in touch with an MLC network that extended beyond our own year level and across generations.

Since our student days, we knew – but admittedly, didn’t fully appreciate – the significant contributions made by the OCC to our school and to the wider community. It was only once we became Old Collegians ourselves, and developed a deeper appreciation for our education (which really only comes with time), that we decided to get more involved with the OCC Council.

The OCC Council brings together a group of Old Collegians with different perspectives and life experiences, but a common purpose: to support and strengthen connections within the MLC community. For us, our involvement with the OCC Council has been nothing short of positive and rewarding. Part of the reason for this is that the OCC Council is always open to new ideas and is committed to finding novel and creative ways of improving the school community. It has been fantastic to see ideas flourish in our meetings, and in a short space of time, become converted into significant and tangible benefits to the College.

For us, our involvement with the OCC Council has meant that we have been able to maintain our friendship despite the different paths we’ve taken since leaving MLC. Even though our careers have taken us in quite different directions, our mutual connection with the MLC community continues to bring us together on a regular basis and gives us an opportunity to work with one another again.

Paby Choi (2008) and Gabrielle Lim (2008)

Dr Wood ScholarshipDr Harold Wood was Principal of MLC for 27 years, from 1939 – 1966. To commemorate the significant contribution Dr Wood made to the College, in 1990 the MLC Old Collegians’ Club Council established a scholarship that bears his name.

The Dr Wood Scholarship, which is awarded every second year, is designed to allow a student with a direct family connection to an Old Collegian the opportunity to attend MLC. It is awarded to a Middle School student with strong academic ability, who has demonstrated a concern for the broader community, a wide range of interests and talents, a readiness to participate in the full life of the College, leadership qualities and a commitment to doing her best in her studies.

The Old Collegians’ Club is pleased to announce that the winner of the 2015 Dr Wood Scholarship is Year 10 student, Adelaide Wood (no relation to Dr Wood). Adelaide’s connections to the College include her mother, Hing Chin (1982) and cousins Stephanie Chin (1986), Christina Fong (1982) and Wye Yee Ooi (1983).

“When I read the letter informing me that I had won the Dr Wood Scholarship, I burst into tears,” said Adelaide. “I feel so privileged to be the recipient of such a prestigious award and very honoured to have been recognised by the College in this way. I feel I have made my family very proud by receiving an award that is linked with their previous attendance at MLC.”

“The thing I love most about MLC is that we are offered so many different and varied opportunities within the curriculum. I believe this makes us more ready to face the world beyond the school gates, knowing that we can tackle any challenges that come our way. Indeed as Miss Vernon says, MLC girls become world-ready women!”2015 OCC Council

Executive: President: Elida Brereton (1961), Vice President: Penny Pavlou (1979), Immediate Past President: Debra Saffrey Collins (Saffrey 1979), Secretary: Denise Beanland (1979), Treasurer: Gabrielle Lim (2008), Maria Mercuri, Manager, MLC Development and Advancement.Committee members: Paby Choi (2008), Laura Davis (2012), Claire Endersbee (2009), Sheridan Handley (2007), Maren Rawlings (Swadesir 1965/1966), Anne Scott OAM (Simpson 1957), Ambika Wakhlu (2012).

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[1] President, OCC Council, Elida Brereton (1961). [2] Gabrielle Lim (left) and Paby Choi (both 2008). [3] Year 10 student, Adelaide Wood with her mother, Hing Chin (1982).

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Forthcoming events

OCC networking events

Event one: Thursday, 21 May 2015 from 7.20 am – 8.45 am Venue: Ballroom 1, Sheraton Melbourne Hotel, 27 Little Collins St, 2 mins from Parliament station. Guest speaker: Principal, Diana Vernon Meet and hear from the College’s eighth Principal, Diana Vernon as she celebrates and reflects upon her first year leading the MLC community. Diana will share tales and highlights of her successful career in education, including her previous experiences in the UK, as principal of both a boarding country school and a selective day school. With her unique, international perspective on girls’ education, Diana will provide an insight into some of the challenges and opportunities facing young women in the 21st century, and reveal how school education can successfully prepare students for the changing personal and professional demands of the digital era. Hear more about Principal, Diana Vernon’s journey as well as her plans for MLC at the first OCC breakfast networking event for 2015.

Event two: Thursday, 15 October 2015 from 6.00 pm – 7.30 pm. Venue: Sheraton Melbourne Hotel, 27 Little Collins St, 2 mins from Parliament station. Guest speaker: Kathryn Kings (Hogg 1968) Hear about the experiences and career highlights of County Court Judge, Kathryn Kings (Hogg 1968). Kathryn completed a Bachelor of Laws and a Master of Laws at the University of Melbourne. From 1974 to 1992 she was a solicitor in city and rural practices, including a five-year stint as a Senior Associate at Mallesons Stephen Jaques, now King Wood Mallesons, where she was among a handful of female litigators in that firm. From 1993 to 2008 she was a Master of the Supreme Court of Victoria, becoming an Associate Judge in 2008. In 2009 she was appointed a Judge of the County Court of Victoria. Kathryn has served on a number of Boards, including Wesley College, MLC and the Nurses Memorial Centre. She chaired the Royal Women’s Hospital Human Ethics Research Committee. Currently she is on the board of Korowa Anglican Girls’ School.

OCC Annual Chapel service and lunch

Saturday, 18 July 2015 at 11.00 am Chapel service in Fitchett Chapel Followed by lunch in Betty Jackson Hall Guest speaker: Jill Sanguinetti (1961) Educational researcher turned author, Jill Sanguinetti (1961), will recall the MLC of the late 50s and early 60s. Jill’s recent book, School Days of a Methodist Lady, a journey through girlhood (Wild Dingo Press, 2014), was inspired by letters she and

her sister, Margot, wrote home during their time as boarders at MLC. Loosely framed by the letters, the memoir features lively anecdotes of MLC school days, the boarding house, teachers, music, study, friendships, rebellions and her own struggle to survive and grow in that context.

2015 Annual OCC Golf DayThe 64th Annual OCC Golf Day will be held on Monday, 21 September 2015 at Metropolitan Golf Club at 8.30 am (shotgun start). Costs: Early Bird special cost for golf and two course lunch is $95.00 Lunch only: $35.00 Full cost: $105.00 We look forward to welcoming all past students who attended MLC Kew and MLC Elsternwick. Invitations will be sent to all those that have previously participated in this annual event. If you haven’t played before please notify us so that we can issue you with an invitation. In addition, please notify us if any of your Old Collegian friends would like to join in our Annual Golf Day. We look forward to seeing as many past students as possible at this very enjoyable social day. For enquiries please contact the OCC on email: occ@mlc.vic.edu.au or phone +61 3 9274 8539.

Appointment of new OCC Patron

Joan Forster (1934) and Val Kerr (1937) have served faithfully as Patrons of the Old Collegians Club for many years. A Patron is elected for life and is expected to be present as a distinguished guest at the Club’s major functions. As a consequence of Joan Forster’s recent passing, the Council of the OCC is now considering filling this vacancy, as the Constitution of the Club allows for the appointment of up to two Old Collegians to the position of Patron. The Council is keen to hear from members who wish to nominate themselves or other Old Collegians to this significant role within the life of the Club. How to nominate: a one page document outlining general information including the nominated Old Collegian’s name, years at MLC, contact details, contribution to the College, and/or the OCC and/or community life, as well as the reason for nominating, should be submitted to the OCC Council via its President, Elida Brereton (see details below). Please note that the OCC Council is preparing appropriate criteria to be applied to the appointment of Patrons of the OCC, as the current Club Constitution does not address this matter.

Please forward nominations no later than 1 June 2015 to: Elida Brereton President, Old Collegians’ Club MLC, 207 Barkers Rd, Kew, Victoria, Australia 3101

Star Chorale: Verdi’s Requiem Melbourne Town Hall Sunday 26 July 2015 at 2.30 pm Opera Australia soloists have been engaged for this wonderful event in which the Star Chorale will be joined by the Zelman Symphony Orchestra and by the Box Hill Chorale to perform Verdi’s most operatic sacred work. A choir of approximately 180 will be supported by seventy-five orchestral players. The soloists are Antoinette Halloran, Dominica Matthews, Henry Choo and Shane Lowrencev. Our conductor is the celebrated Jane Elton Brown OAM (Elton 1955) and deputy conductor is Mark Schiell. If you would like to be part of this great experience you can obtain tickets at www.starchorale.org/bookings or by calling 0407 055 846.

RSVPTo RSVP or enquire about any forthcoming OCC events:

Email: occ@mlc.vic.edu.au Phone: +61 3 9274 9539

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Where are they now?With a passion for travel and design, but a background in finance, Georgie Bird

(Harper 1993) spent her first few years out of university working a ‘safe’ corporate job in the city, but a creative career was beckoning. Finally, she took a leap of faith and answered an ad in the paper – and despite never having worked in retail she got a job as retail manager of a beautiful homewares store, Crate Expectations, in Malvern. She loved the role, and felt like she had found her calling. Georgie managed the store for four years until she married and left Crate to become the buyer for a large Australian furniture company. This new role saw her travelling to India, Indonesia and China, designing and creating each season’s furniture, homewares and cushions. But after only five months into this exciting new job, the opportunity came up to buy Crate Expectations – and it was too good to pass up. She took the plunge, and returned to Crate, buzzing with energy and new creative ideas for the store. Since then she has had two gorgeous girls Milla (4) and Kitty (2) and in April 2014 opened her second store in Hampton.

After leaving MLC, Karen Companez (Schiff 1977) collaborated with peers from the

Class of 1977 and others to institute a lay-led reform Jewish congregation in Melbourne which still flourishes today and is called Kedem (Kehilat David haMelech – the congregation of the King David School). She also helped found a Reform Zionist youth movement called Netzer (Noar Tzioni Reformi – Reform Zionist youth) which is

now a global youth movement. Karen’s son, Nathan was until recently an active leader in the Netzer movement. Karen is currently the Rabbi at Temple Beth El in Flint, Michigan, USA, a role she has held for the past 13 years. Looking back on her years as an MLC student, Karen says that they definitely helped strengthen her Jewish identity. The seeds of Karen’s interfaith work, which has now ripened to include inter-racial work, were sown during her time at MLC. Karen has retained several of the friendships she formed while a student at MLC and says many of these are as strong, if not stronger than they were while she was at school.

Judy Dalton (Tegart 1952) attended MLC Elsternwick from 1942

– 1953. She was in Kerrie House and received school colours for tennis (captain), softball and basketball. Judy went on to achieve highly in the world of tennis. She played on the professional circuit between 1962 and 1972, winning four Grand Slams in ladies doubles. She won the Australian Open four times, the French Open once, Wimbledon once and the US Open twice. She also made it to the first Wimbledon Open Ladies Singles final in 1968. Her many other achievements include the Austrian and German Singles, Ladies Doubles and Mixed Doubles titles, and the British Hardcourt and Australian Hardcourt titles. Judy represented Australia in the Fed Cup team competition six times, and was a member of the winning team on two occasions. She was appointed captain for several years, and was a finalist and semi-finalist during that time. Judy was one of the original

nine founders of the Women’s Tennis Association. She was also the first woman selector for the Lawn Tennis Association of Australia and the first woman member of the International Women’s Tennis Association. She was awarded the Australian Sports Medal, inducted into the Australian Hall of Fame in 2013, and her bust sits in Garden Square at Melbourne Park. Judy is president of the Fed Cup Tennis Foundation, a role she has held for more than 25 years. The Foundation assists country children and women in tennis. Judy is currently a radio commentator for the BBC World Service and the ABC, and a tennis writer for several local newspapers.

Emma Kowal (1992) has forged an academic career in anthropology, the study of

human cultures and societies. She is Associate Professor of Anthropology in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and Principal Research Fellow in the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation at Deakin University. After finishing at MLC in 1992 she went to the University of Melbourne and completed a combined medicine and arts degree in 2000 with honours fieldwork in medical anthropology in PNG. She then moved from Melbourne to Darwin to pursue a career in Aboriginal health as a doctor, but soon expanded her work to include public health research and anthropology. She then completed a PhD in Indigenous health, combining her interests in race, colonialism and health to conduct an ethnography of a medical research institute in Darwin. In 2007 she returned to Melbourne to begin postdoctoral research on the use of genetics in Indigenous Australian communities, work that has led

to the formation of the National Centre for Indigenous Genomics at the Australian National University, where she is deputy director. Along the way she married husband Yin Paradies in 2003 and had daughters Maya (2006) and Eden (2008).

Denuja Karunakaran (1998) is currently a cardiovascular genetics postdoctoral

fellow in the Cardiometabolic microRNA and Epigenetics Laboratory, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Canada. After leaving MLC Denuja pursued her inherit curiosity for understanding human biological processes, with particular focus on heart and blood-related disorders. She completed a bachelor of biomedical science (hons) and a PhD at Monash University followed by her first postdoctoral fellowship at the Centre for Vascular Research in Sydney, having been awarded the prestigious National Heart Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship. To further enhance her skills, Denuja then pursued her second fellowship at the Ottawa Heart Institute, with a Cardiovascular Genetics Endowed Research Fellowship. She is studying the role of tiny molecules called microRNAs that orchestrate the translation of our genetic code to regulate biological processes. Understanding how the vessel wall hardens is crucial in identifying novel therapeutic targets to treat and/or prevent devastating cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and stroke; this is the basis of Denuja’s passion and the driving force behind her choice of career. She finds her research very exciting, rewarding and ‘a once in a lifetime’ opportunity.

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After leaving MLC, Laura Whitelaw (2010) completed a bachelor of science

(physiology) at the University of Melbourne. A highlight of this degree was living and studying at Edinburgh University for twelve months on exchange. Laura found herself rowing for Edinburgh; competing on the Thames in London and occasionally rowing through ice sheets on cold Scottish mornings! In 2014 Laura travelled solo to Africa where she spent time in a regional hospital in Tanzania with Gap Medics. She witnessed many births and surgeries, which had a profound effect on her understanding of health and poverty. She also visited the School of St Jude – a school that was supported by the College during Laura’s years as an MLC student (editor’s note: MLC Middle School continues its support of this Tanzanian school). It was a humbling but incredibly inspiring trip, which influenced Laura’s next adventure. She accepted an offer to study graduate medicine and in January 2015 she moved to NSW. She is currently living by the beach and studying to become a doctor at the University of Wollongong. This is proving to be as challenging and fulfilling as Laura had hoped it would be.

Valerie Yule (1945) attended MLC from age eight to 16, at a time when the College’s

population surged from 350 to 1,300. She remembers with great fondness and respect one teacher in particular: Ms Ellen

Christensen, who said to her at age 12, “You know, Valerie, it isn’t naughty to think for yourself.” After hearing these words, Valerie recalls heading home in a blaze of light, having up until that point thought that it was indeed naughty to think for herself! Valerie completed a master of arts, a dip ed, a PhD and is an MBPsS. She has held academic positions at the University of Melbourne as well as at Monash and Aberdeen Universities, in the departments of psychology and education. She has worked as a teacher at all levels, and has also taught literacy skills to new migrants. She has worked as a clinical child psychologist at the Royal Children’s Hospitals in both Melbourne and Aberdeen and has conducted long-term research on imagination and literacy. She has authored eight books, numerous book chapters, hundreds of articles and lots of web pages, including the book Inside Children’s Minds (2014) which is her magnum opus, collecting stories told to her by children. Married, Valerie has three children, seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

During her time as an MLC student, Rebecca Akse (Milne 1985) says she was fortunate to

be taught by many wonderful, passionate teachers who inspired her to follow in their footsteps. She recalls in particular her Home Economics/Human Development and Society teachers, Marion Woods and the late Kath Cotes. After completing HSC in 1985 Rebecca went on to complete a bachelor of applied science in consumer science at RMIT and then a diploma of education at the

University of Melbourne. Rebecca began her teaching career at MLC in the Home Economics faculty where she still works, 26 years and two children later! She loves teaching VCE Health and Human Development and has involved herself in many professional learning activities, including exam marking for the VCAA. She has held many positions of responsibility within the College over the years and is currently the Berry Senior School House Co-ordinator. She has gained great satisfaction from playing a role in the education of so many amazing young women.

After leaving MLC Donna Jan (Milne 1981) graduated from St Vincent’s

Hospital, Melbourne as a registered nurse. She developed an interest in cancer early in her nursing career and has spent the last 25 years working and studying in the field. She completed a PhD in 2009, investigating the perceptions of palliative care held by patients with advanced cancer. More recently she has been able to combine her research experience with a clinical role as an advanced practice nurse in the skin and melanoma service at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. She has also had the opportunity to sit on national multidisciplinary committees that look at how best to treat patients with melanoma, as well as international nursing committees aimed at improving cancer care worldwide. Donna says her busy work-life schedule is manageable thanks to her husband and 12 year old son. The family spends a lot of time together driving to different venues

for basketball matches. Four to five times a year Donna has lunch with “the MLC girls” and they discuss the old days and all the challenges faced by the mature woman – not for the faint hearted!

Leaving MLC Melbourne to move with her family to Perth for Years 11 and 12, Nicki Kenyon (Burr

1984) began her marketing career in 1989 when she joined Cathay Pacific, first in reservations, and later in HQ in a global marketing communications role. Seven years after joining Cathay, she left Hong Kong to return to Australia where she went ‘agency-side’ to join Singleton OgilvyInteractive in 2000. The internet was new; she evangelised digital marketing by helping clients to develop websites and email marketing campaigns. An opportunity to start-up a new digital agency for JWT saw her move back to Hong Kong. En route to this new adventure, a second occurred – her daughter Anya was born in 2005. Subsequent job offers took her to Singapore in roles with MasterCard, AsiaRooms.com, and Facebook – a unique opportunity to explore the dramatic changes occurring in social media marketing. In her heart a full-time mother, and during the daytime (and often nights) a full-time working professional, Nicki continues to derive great pleasure from constantly learning and adapting in a fast-changing digital world. Now at Visa Inc as vice president, she heads up digital and social marketing across Asia Pacific. She is a regular speaker at industry events, and sits on the Singapore chapter of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

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Reunions Class of 1955

“Will we go or won’t we?” one of my friends asked about attending our 60 year reunion. “I feel we should,” someone else replied, so we did. It was hard to believe that 60 years had passed and some of us had been in touch on and off all those years. What a great day it was catching up with girls we hadn’t seen for a long time. It was one of the happiest reunions. The gathering was intimate, and it was easy to get around and talk. For the group photo we had to be called to order as we were making too much noise talking. Singing the school songs, accompanied by Judy Sack (Bailey 1955), was a climax, and gave us a feeling of belonging to a great school. MLC does that to you.

Ruth Triggs (Bailey 1955)

Silver Circle Reunion (1920 – 1953) Our recent Silver Circle reunion was a wonderful opportunity to catch up with Old Collegians from my own year, but also from other year levels. Together, we reminisced over lunch, reflecting on the many different paths we have followed in life. Yet despite our varied journeys, we all share a sense of unity and connectedness thanks to our common experience of having attended MLC. Many of us were interested and amazed to see the countless developments that have occurred at the College in recent years. What incredible facilities the MLC girls of today enjoy! I am looking forward to our next opportunity to get together.

Elizabeth Dodgshun (Miller 1949)

Class of 1969

People say that as you get older the years pass more quickly, but it did not seem five years since we sang together ‘40 years on’! A smaller group than five years ago, we shared a lovely reunion trying to put so many years into a brief but thoroughly enjoyable few hours. Year 12 student, Joy-Helena Ferrari, charmed us with her sensitive and delightful playing of her harp. MLC’s Director of Learning Support, Beth Gerondis gave a very informative talk about the Deaf Integration program and we were brought up to date on the incredible progress in planning and implementation that has taken place within a school that 45 years ago, we thought was big. I am sure we will all share more happy times at our 50th reunion…after we blink!

Gwen McMaster-Fay (Midgley 1969)

Class of 1964 Saturday, 24 October 2014 was a most memorable day that gives a deeper significance to the words “...that we have wandered far since College days were done.” The day was anticipated, but the occasion outdid any preconceptions. The sounds of joyous recognition greeted our arrival at the Assembly Hall, and the uplifting atmosphere continued as we recognised and reacquainted with friends from school days. Guest speaker, Head of Science, Anne Marie Williams enhanced our view of current science perspectives and relevance. Melva Hobson (Muller 1964), Margaret Manning (Poole 1964), Helen Funston (Bourne 1964) and Jenny Harkin (Bossence 1964) united with many behind the scenes to assist in creating an event of wonderful fellowship on an historic day.

Ellen King (Watson 1964)

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Class of 1975

The 40 year reunion was a happy occasion. For most, the faces and names were recognisable but the challenge was putting the two together. It was evident that some girls had maintained a connection with a small group throughout their 40 years. However, for many, life’s journey has sent us in different directions. There was a vibrancy to the conversation with a recognition of both good fortune and unexpected challenge. Reflecting on our school days it was clear that we were educated in a different era. However, MLC pillars such as tradition, innovation and opportunity remain the same as was apparent in the address from Principal, Diana Vernon. Noted also was the path MLC chose not to go down in the mid seventies – the push for co-education. How different things might have been!

Leanne McCartney (Harding 1975)

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// See more MLC reunion photos at mlc.vic.edu.au/star

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11

All Year Levels Boarders’ reunion

Three hundred and twenty-seven former boarders entered by the main door of the Boarding House; what a buzz as friends were located! We gathered in the Boarders’ Dining Room where we were welcomed by the Director of Boarding, Cynthia Beer, Principal, Diana Vernon and 2015 Senior Boarding House Prefect, Ninjing Wang.

We listened to a delightful talk from Peggy Smith (1939) – for those of us who left in the 50s things did not seem to have changed that much! Speakers from later years entertained us with their personal recollections. It was a pleasure to meet with Principal, Diana Vernon as she took the time to visit with all the groups. It was a truly enjoyable day, undoubtedly the best ever. Margaret Mannes (Raufer 1958)

A very wet morning heralded the All Year Levels Boarders Reunion held at the Boarding House, MLC on 14 February 2015. Thankfully, the sunshine that followed proved to be a prelude to the very warm welcome extended by the MLC community. I felt thrilled to be back among the people and in the place where we shared so many new and enabling experiences with our fellow boarders. The ‘old girls’ speakers gave short and pithy reports of their time at MLC, and Principal, Diana Vernon introduced herself, revealing that she too, had been a boarder during her school years. On reflection of our time as boarders – we thrived and developed into young women, supported by the commitment and determination of MLC to prepare and encourage young women to take their place in the world. And we did. Barbara Buttery (Brooker 1958)

Thank you very much for organising the All Levels Boarders’ Reunion, and thanks also to the current boarders for showing us around. It was a happy occasion, good to meet people I hadn’t seen since I left school, and such a pleasure to meet Principal, Diana Vernon and Director of Boarding, Cynthia Beer. The school is obviously in very capable hands. I was reminded of how much I owe to MLC’s high academic and moral standards. Walking into Dr Wood’s office, I was quite overcome with heartfelt admiration, respect and gratitude for his charisma, brilliance and practical kindness. Patricia Cameron (Major 1963)

No matter how many years pass, ‘once a boarder, always a boarder’ is still a strong feeling for all who attended the All Year Levels Boarders’ Reunion. As a third generation MLC student and second generation boarder, I attended the reunion with my mother Ellen King (Watson 1964). One thing became apparent: no matter what generation you were a boarder, the friendships and family-like connection you have with these women is strong and everlasting. My year level is spread far and wide and fortunately Facebook keeps us all generally in touch, yet great efforts were made by all to attend. Alexandra Botha (King 2000)

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Class of 2010

Our five year reunion was a fantastic night and a wonderful chance to catch up on one another’s news and also reminisce about the good times we shared while at MLC. Though it has only been five years, many girls have already achieved so much and it was amazing to hear stories of study and career achievements as well as travel and other adventures. While we have all taken slightly different paths in life, everyone had many interesting and exciting experiences to share. Seeing the Class of 2010 again brought back many fond memories and I know many of us are looking forward to the next reunion and another chance to catch up.

Jess Engel (2010)

Class of 2013

One year out from MLC and it hardly felt like we had left. Seeing beautiful smiling faces when I walked into the Class of 2013 one year reunion was such a joyous feeling. Some faces I had seen many times in the year since we left, and others I had not seen at all. It was so wonderful to talk to everyone about what they had been up to the past year. Everyone had done something different. Most went to university, some went to circus school, some had gap years…the list was endless. I’m sure everyone present had a great time, reminiscing over former teachers and memories from MLC, as well as sharing new memories that we have since created. We all agreed that it would be interesting to see each other at the five and ten year reunions, as we had done so much in just a year. Imagine us in ten years!

Siobhan Turnbull (2013)

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Online reunion photographs

Like to see more MLC reunion photos? More reunion photos can be seen at mlc.vic.edu.au/star. A wide selection of reunion photographs is also uploaded onto the MLC alumnae website: alumnae.mlc.vic.edu.au

Remaining reunion dates for 2015

Date Year Event LocationThursday, 30 April Class of 2005 10 year reunion Off siteSaturday, 2 May Class of 1960 55 year reunion MLCSaturday, 13 June Class of 2000 15 year reunion MLCSaturday, 20 June Class of 1980 35 year reunion MLCSaturday, 15 August Class of 1985 30 year reunion MLCSaturday, 22 August Silver Circle reunion 1920 – 1954 MLCSaturday, 5 September Class of 1990 25 year reunion MLCThursday, 8 October Class of 2014 1 year reunion Off siteSaturday, 10 October Class of 1970 45 year reunion MLCSaturday, 17 October Class of 1965 50 year reunion MLC

[1] [2] Class of 1955. [3] [4] Class of 1964. [5] [6] Class of 1969. [7] [8] Class of 1975. [9] [10] Silver Circle Reunion (1920 – 1953) [11] [12] Class of 2010. [13] [14] Class of 2013. [15] [16] All Year Levels Boarders’ reunion.

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MLC community notices

Engagements

Ailsa Cheung (2005) to Kim Tak. Hayley Sloan (2004) to Thomas Cade. Jane McIntosh (2004) to Joel Prouten.

Marriages Erica Dobson (2000) married Christopher Williams Pratt in June, 2014. MLC guests included bridesmaid Elizabeth Dobson (2005) and Rene McKay (Craig 1973).

Nonie Flynn (2006) married Leon Di Stefano on September 20, 2014. MLC guests included bridesmaid, Beck Weir (2006) and friends, Charlotte Parker (Harrison), Danielle Phair, Anne Pichler and Arlie McCarthy (all 2006).

Alexis Fong (2005) married Leijie Li on 17 January 2015. Her bridesmaids were: Sara Phung, Arlene Wu and Kirin Kaur Toor (all 2005). MLC guests included: Jessica Leung, Michelle Li , Melissa Ng, Elise Clifford, Sarah Nguyen, Emily Szabo, Jing Jing Chang (all 2005), Joyce Cheng (2004), Janette Li (2004), Laura Phung (2007) and Rosemary Loh (2011).

Brianna George (2000) married Ashenafi Metagesha in November 2014. MLC guests included her bridesmaid Sarah George (Di Pietro 2002) and friends Kristie Kaifoto (Cocotis 2000) and Kelly North (Johnstone 2000).

Cara Hann (2001) married Joon Hur in December 2013. MLC guests included her bridesmaids Madeline Read and Kathryn Marks (both 2001). Other MLC guests were Fiona Cracknell (McGrath 2001), April Spearing (2001), Megan Bushby (2000), Leah Biffin (Bushby 2000) and Tiffany Chamberlain (2002).

Alice Lillecrapp (2000) married Michael McCloskey in March 2014. MLC guests included Libby Penman, Alicia Reilly, Melissa Costa and Kelly Skene (all 2000)

Alison Millar (2001) married Eddie Wilson in September 2014. Bridesmaids included Laura Swaby (Dorgan 2001). Guests included Caitlin Burgess (Adams 2001), Brooke Arrowsmith (2001) and Whitney Campbell (2004)

Melissa Perks (1992) married Jay Salter in March 2014. MLC guests who attended Danielle Norton (1992) and Kate Pennefather (Stafford 1992).

Anne Sharma (1998) married Bryce Iseppi in October 2014. MLC guests included Anne’s sister Allison Pierson (Sharma 1990).

Births

To Byron and Sue Andrews (Jones 1993) a daughter, Gemma Susan born 1 August 2014. A Granddaughter for Elizabeth Jones (Smith 1967) and great niece for Penny Mack (Smith 1974).

To Brett and Elizabeth Armstrong (White 1997), a daughter, Summer Lily born 21 July 2014. A sister for Charlotte and Jessica. A niece for Alexandra White (1993) and Stephanie White (1996).

To Nicolas and Catherine Bliss (Gatacre 1996), a son, Edward Gordon Spencer, born 1 April 2014. A brother for Arabella and Sophie.

To Fiona Buchanan (1999) and James Fergusson, a daughter, Aimee Rose Fergusson, born 24 October 2014.

To Peter and Jodie Cameron (Hogg 1992), a son, Henry Gladstone, born 12 April 2014. A brother for Charlie and Laura, a grandson for Dale Hogg (Craigie 1964), great nephew for Amelda Langslow (Craigie 1958) and Bronwyn Craigie (1970) and great great nephew for Beth McKay (Craigie 1935, deceased).

To Ian Ullah and Hannah Clement (1996), a daughter, Rachael Amelia Ullah, born 28 September 2014. A niece for Alice Clement (2001).

To Michael and Michelle Cleven (Tuck 1998), a daughter, Eleanor Molly, born 4 April 2014. A sister for Eddison. A niece for Caroline Tuck (2004).

To Anna Cumming (1993) and Sacha Jellinek, a daughter, Erin Lindy Jellinek born 26 March 2014. A sister for Pippa.

To Cameron and Emma Edward (Taranto 1994), a son, Xavier Kingston, born 11 August 2014.

To Damien and Emma Farrell (Fell 1995), a son, Thomas Adrian Francis born 5 November 2014. A nephew for Katherine Fell (1998).

To Simon and Kerry Gibbs (Lewis 2003), a daughter Sadie Louise born 15 October 2014. A niece for Brenda Lewis (2006).

To Leah Horsfall (1998) and Jonathan Tapsell a son, Hume Horsfall-Tapsell born 14 September 2014.

To Sven and Jasmine Howorth (Rickards 1998) a son, Bjørn Peter born 25 October 2014.

To Suman Joshi (1994) and Jamie Jacob, a son, Leo Thomas Jacob born 26 October 2014.

To Andi Kauer (1993) and Maria Biviano, a son, Jaime Biviano-Kauer, born 19 June 2013. A brother for Maxx and nephew for Sylvia Kauer (1996).

To Kirin Kaur Toor (2005) and John Donald, a daughter, Aurelia Donald, born 19 September 2015. A niece for Satvir Kaur (1998).

To Kate Kitchen (1996) and Rory Carson, a daughter, Emma Carson, born 2 May 2014. A sister for Sam.

To Andrew and Nicole May (Milner 2000), a son Henry William, born 6 September 2014, A brother for Isabelle.

To Luke and Lucy Martin (Witchell 2000), a daughter, Sophie Alice, born 19 July 2014. A sister for William and Georgina.

To Leigh and Aingela Newton (Prokop 2000) a son, Lachlan Leigh, born 25 January 2015.

To Adrian and Jade Poon (Hoey 2001) a daughter Amelie Grace, born 16 March 2014. A niece for Jasmine Lucas (Hoey 2004).

To Michiko Smith (1989) and Stevie Murray a daughter, Addie Mae Murray born 22 September 2014.

To Matt and Annie Strauch (Dobson 1999) a daughter, Daisy Alice Dobson, born 6 January 2015. A sister for Molly and Lottie. A niece for Kate Dobson (1996), Emly Dobson (1994) and Lucy Dobson (2005).

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TributesDulcie Rayment (1937) passed away on 24 December 2014. A committed member of the Stella Argentea Society, Dulcie retained a great love for, and interest in MLC throughout her life. Dulcie entered MLC in 1934 and was an Associate Prefect and Dux of

the College in her final year. Upon graduation, she received a significant scholarship to the University of Melbourne, where she studied medicine. Dulcie was a leading obstetrician who conducted research into diabetes in pregnancy, and she ran a special obstetrics clinic for many years at the Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital.

Helen Owens (Heaviside 1965) died on 23 November 2014. Sister of Allison Findlay (Heaviside 1956). Helen was a widely respected economist with a particular interest in public health. Her contributions to social reform and public health in Australia include serving as a

Commissioner for 12 years on both the Industry and Productivity commissions. In her role at the University of Melbourne’s Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, she helped develop the basis for Australia’s current hospital funding model. Helen attended MLC from Year 2 – Year 12.

In memoryMLC has learnt of the following deaths in our community. Our condolences are extended to their family and friends.

Jill Bannister (Adams 1942) died 22 September 2014. Sister of April Fuller (Adams 1945)

Peggy Barker (Stevenson 1942) died 6 February 2014

Beatrix Barnett (In’t Veld 1965) died 5 November 2014. Sister of Rosamond Washington (In’t Veld 1966).

Brenda Barraclough (2014 1942) died 14 June 2014.

Bonnie Bradley (Butler 1944) died 26 August 2014. Sister of Stephanie Barr (Butler 1950), mother of Shanne Kast (Bradley 1976), Grandmother of Kate Bradley (2006) and mother in law to Karen Bradley (Scott 1976).

Janice Brand (Luke 1957) died 9 October 2014. Daughter of Rene Luke (Cunnington 1923, deceased) and niece of Laura Jones (Cunnington 1923, deceased).

Val Brooke (Gledhill 1946) died 15 October 2014.

Marjorie Brough (Anderson 1943) died 21 October 2014. Sister of Elenor Freeman (Anderson 1945, deceased).

Gail Buchanan (1956) died 1 October 2013

Susan Carter (Barnes) died 6 November 2015.

Barbara Elizabeth Chitty (1939) died 8 May 2014. Sister of Lois Chitty (1928, deceased), Nancy Kate Chitty (1929, deceased) and Ruth Chitty (1940).

Bronwen Farrawell (1985) died 26 October 2014.

Sandra Feldman (Kierson 1955) died 16 April 2014. Sister of Carole Davis (Kierson 1960).

Loris Fewster (1948) died 6 August 2014.

Julie Field (Ackland 1983). Sister of Sue Blackshaw (Ackland 1978), niece of Rosemary Dawson (Ackland 1965) Cousin of Katherine McDougall (Dawson 1991) and Anne Dawson (1997).

Marilyn Filzwieser (Gairns 1955) died 24 October 2013. Sister of Berenice Watson (Gairns 1960) and cousin of Leonie Thomson (Gairns 1960) and Diane Washfold (Gairns 1962).

Ethel Fisher (McMath 1929) died 3 December 2014.

Janet Glen (1950) died 10 May 2014.

Tony Goss died 3 January 2015. Father of Sarah Goss (1991) and Julie Slater (Goss 1994). Tony was a Board of Director at MLC from 1991 to 1993.

Charmaine Grant (Harrison 1969) died 30 June 2014

Nancy Hartley (Moonie1938) died 17 June 2014. Sister Margery Gosling (Moonie1933). Daughters Helen Drinkell (Hartley1964) and Pamela McDill (Hartley 1968). Grandmother of Johanna Padbury (McDill 2000).

Amanda Holland (Nixon 1968) died on 26 January 2015.

Eunice Jacobson (Hollingsworth 1952) died 22 January 2015

Jean Jenkin (Hill 1945) died 9 December 2014. Mother of Heather Fowler (Jenkin 1978, deceased) and Irene Down (Jenkin 1973).

Annette Kleeman (Barnes 1946) died 4 August 2014. Sister of Jean Barnes (1946), Lenore Stephenson (Barnes 1957), Elizabeth Sunderland (Barnes 1958), Lesley Rogers (Barnes 1951). Aunt of Cathy Mikic (Rogers 1986).

Dianne Lewis (Hill 1961) died 31 December 2014. Mother of Felicity Lewis (1987), Meredith Lewis (1988) and Georgina Lewis (1991). Niece of Stella Johnston (1933, deceased). Dianne is a former MLC Board Director from 1995 to 1996.

Win Mack (Noble 1939) died 10 August 2014. Mother of Lesley Keogh (Mack 1972, deceased) and Wendy Henderson (Mack 1964).

Gwen Maskelyne (Goddard 1948) died 7 August 2014.

Margaret May (1946) died 9 September 2014.

Beverley Peggie (Pannell 1948) died 25 October 2012.

Beth Rayment (Alexander 1949) died 11 April 2014. Sister of Edith John (Alexander 1950) and Rosalie Hudson (Alexander 1955). Mother of Lyndelle Battersby (Rayment 1986) and Rosalie Rayment-Hewitt (Rayment 1975). Aunt to Jenny Porch (John 1978), Mandy John (1980), Bronwyn Longhouse (John 1982) Sally McKenzie (John 1984) and Liz Hudson (1980).

Amy Richards (Tonkin 1936) died 28 April 2014. Mother of Glenys Welsh (Richards 1960).

Irene Schweitzer (Anniss 1940) died 19 May 2014. Sister of Betty Anniss (1940).

Gwen Tatnall (Nance 1943) died 24 October 2014. Sister of Betty Course (Nance 1937, deceased), Olive Commons (Nance 1940, deceased) and Dorothy Nance (1947).

Marie Touzeau (Bull 1946) died 31 December 2014. Sister of Beverley Bull (1949) and Gretta Bull (1954).

Joan Wallis (Hindle 1969) died 24 October 2014.

Norma Williams (Carter 1941) died 19 November 2014. Sister of Gwen Sprague (Carter 1928, deceased) and Audrey Carter (1935, deceased). Niece to Jennifer Burke (Sprague 1962).

Keeping connected

The Star is a much loved magazine that goes out to almost 30,000 members of the MLC community. A digital edition of the magazine is also published at mlc.vic.edu.au. MLC values its wider community and strives to stay in touch with all members. To enable us to keep in touch with you, please:

• Send in MLC community news (including career and personal updates, engagements, marriages and births) for publication in The Star. We also appreciate receiving advice that a past student has passed away. Please send details to the MLC Development and Advancement Office, 207 Barkers Road, Kew Vic Australia 3101, alumnae@mlc.vic.edu.au or ph +61 3 9274 6357.

• Send us your mobile number and email address: We kindly request all past students to send us your email address, even if you think we already have it. With an accurate database of contact details for all past students, we can ensure ongoing effective communication with the thriving wider MLC community. Please email your current mobile number and email address to alumnae@mlc.vic.edu.au.

• Connect with us on social media, by liking MLC’s Facebook page at facebook.com/mlckew.

• Register with us online: A reminder to all past students to visit MLC’s secure web page for past students, where you can log in and update your details, keep in touch with fellow past students or simply register to be part of the MLC alumnae online community. Membership is FREE and a username and password will be issued when you register. Please visit mlc.vic.edu.au/alumnae for further details and to register.

MLC Melbourne

207 Barkers Road Kew

Victoria 3101 Australia

Telephone: +61 3 9274 6333

Facsimile: +61 3 9819 2345

Email: college@mlc.vic.edu.au

mlc.vic.edu.au

Methodist Ladies’ College Limited

ABN 55 006 036 979 CRICOS 00325A

A School of the Uniting Church in Australia

The Director of Admissions and Marketing

welcomes all enrolment enquiries.

admissions@mlc.vic.edu.au

+61 3 9274 6316