From the Chair

During this first half of 2021 we have again   been presented with challenges and changes to our daily lives taking on practices to enable us to stay safe and well. Kilbreda again has reached out to others via technology during the school closure period. We continue to value and thank health workers, many of whom are former students of Kilbreda, as they test and vaccinate large numbers of people on a daily basis. 

The Past Pupils’ Network Committee rescheduled reunions for 2020 but unfortunately we  recently had to postpone the gathering for the Class of 2011 - 10 Year Reunion. We are hopeful of again rescheduling this event. We were fortunate with the timing of the Class of 2020 reunion when over 90 members gathered in the Mary Dalton Hall. Members of the Past Pupils’ Network Committee, together with the College, were able to welcome the Class of 2020 as the newest members of the Past Pupils Community. A report on this event is included in this issue. 

We are now planning  reunions for later in the year and are working towards providing a safe environment that will work for these class groups. Details of reunions can be found on the 'Upcoming Reunions' page of this Newsletter. An important part of our role is to assist you to connect/reconnect with former students from your time at Kilbreda and with the Kilbreda community. We look forward to receiving your enquiries and assisting with your reunions. 

A highlight of 2021 for the Past Pupils’ Network Committee will be the celebration of Kilbreda women making a difference through the Past Pupils of Distinction program. This program is an initiative where the Kilbreda community will acknowledge and celebrate past pupils who have achieved outstanding success and excellence in their field/s of endeavour, have made / are making a positive difference in the lives of others and embody the Kilbreda motto of 'Strength and Kindliness'. Thank you to everyone who nominated past pupils for this, the third of the Kilbreda Past Pupils of Distinction programs. We invite you to join in the celebration of all nominees at a formal dinner at the College on 30 July 2021. Further details are included in this edition.

We were thrilled to recently hear the news that one of our 2017 Past Pupils of Distinction Nominees, Fiona McCormack AM (Class of 1980) was recognised on the 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours List. Fiona was awarded a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia for significant service to victims of crime, and to the prevention of family violence. Currently, Fiona is Victoria’s Victims of Crime Commissioner, an important role she has held since July 2019. “I’m really honoured to be entrusted with the responsibility of being a voice for people who've become victims of crime and I want to do everything I can to ensure the justice system in Victoria is respectful of victims' experiences and their voices.” Fiona has a long history of advocating for victims leading Domestic Violence Victoria, the peak body for family violence services in Victoria, for 14 years. Congratulations Fiona! 

We would love to hear what is happening in the lives of Kilbreda Past Pupils and would welcome any articles and photos that could be included in future issues of Tower Talk. The next edition is planned for November 2021. Articles can be forwarded to pastpupils@kilbreda.vic.edu.au. 'Tower Talk' is produced twice a year. To ensure you receive your copy please update changes to your contact details (particularly your email address) via pastpupils@kilbreda.vic.edu.au. 

We also welcome enquiries related to joining the Committee. Our current Committee members are Carolyn Callaghan (née Maher), Maree Clark (née Norman), Suzanne Grima, Andrea Halliday, Kylie Montesanti (néeOliver), Ashleigh Patogiannis (née Keyes), Damian Smith and Peta Wragg.

Denise Leonard (née Morrissey)

Chair 

Kilbreda Past Pupils’ Network Committee