2020 in Review
L-R: Pat Phair, Cecily Close, Jon Charlton and Gillian Jenkins
2020 in Review
L-R: Pat Phair, Cecily Close, Jon Charlton and Gillian Jenkins
2020 certainly didn't pan out to be the way any of us expected. Unfortunately, we were unable to host our Kilvonians in the way we would have liked.
We are grateful to have held our Walsh Club reunion at the Melbourne Arts Centre in March. None of us could have imagined that it would be our only in-person reunion this year.
Navigating a steep learning curve, we were thrilled to hold our first online Kilvonian Konnections event in October. I'm sure all who attended agree that it was a great success, and special thanks in particular go to our impressive panel of Kilvonians, Jac Benstead, Andrea Douglas, Margaret Esakoff and Leah Swann who gave up their time to share their inspiring careers and insights on current affairs.
Thank you to all who attended and contributed to making it such a great night.
In 2021, we are optimistic about returning to our usual schedule of reunions. See page three for details.
Many thanks to our Alumni Committee: Sarah McSwiney, Class of 1999, Sarah Lim, Class of 2003, Ann Cleghorn, Class of 1977, Julie Scott, Class of 1982 and Rebecca Zolotareva, Class of 1992 for their support throughout the year.
Unfortunately, in the current environment we weren't able to action many of our plans. Hopefully, 2021 will allow us to move forward with keeping our Kilvonians connected.
We are very keen to establish a sub-committee to help organise the Centenary event/s for 2023. If this is something that sounds like it's right up your alley, don't be shy! Please contact Deb Duce at duced@kilvington.vic.edu.au with any suggestions, updates or to get involved.
We are deeply saddened to advise that Kilvonian, Sue Salthouse, Class of 1966 (School Captain) passed away on 20 July 2020. Sue was in regular contact with the School and always made the effort to attend reunions with her classmates.
A disability advocate, Sue was awarded the ACT's 2020 Senior Australian of the Year. In addition to this award, Sue was the Canberra Citizen of the Year in 2015, and the ACT Senior Woman of the Year in 2014.
Herself a paraplegic since breaking her back in a horse fall in 1995, Ms Salthouse was co-chair of the ACT Disability Expert Panel advising on the National Disability Insurance Scheme, influenced the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and between 2009-2012 was president of Women with Disabilities Australia.
"Sue was a fierce and passionate advocate for people with a disability and, in particular, women with a disability. Her life was one of service and contribution to her community, and she worked for greater recognition of the enormous contribution women with disability make to the workplace and in leadership roles," said ACT Chief Minister, Andrew Barr.
An inspiring person, Sue clearly lived the School motto ‘Non nobis sed omnibus’, ‘Not for our own, but others’ good.’
We extend our sincere condolences to Sue's family and friends. She will be sorely missed.
Becoming involved with the Kilvington Mentor Program is a highly valued and beneficial way of giving back to the community. We strongly suggest that all interested Alumni consider mentoring as an opportunity to make an important contribution to the development and careers of the next generation of Kilvington students.
If you would like to offer mentoring and or workplace opportunities to our current students, please contact Deb Duce at duced@kilvington.vic.edu.au.
We wish the Class of 2020 all the very best as they pursue new and exciting endeavours. They have been outstanding Kilvington ambassadors – respectful, caring and great contributors to our community and culture. We are pleased to welcome the Class of 2020 to the Kilvonian family.
Some words of encouragement from Alumni committee member Sarah Lim, Class of 2003.
Dear Class of 2020
This year has truly been unprecedented. This unusual environment we are all operating in is just a phase and be assured that it will pass. Each of you have achieved so much to get to where you are today.
There are some key life lessons to be learnt from this unusual experience. Once things have settled down, I hope you get the opportunity to reflect on the year that has been, and the life lessons learnt. I wish each of you all the best as you commence on a new chapter of your life-long education.
Click here to take a virtual tour of Kilvington without leaving home!
Don’t forget you can stay up-to-date with what’s happening in the Kilvonian world by joining our facebook group and checking out the alumni website.
Wishing you all a fabulous festive season, and we look forward to hearing from you and seeing you at future events in 2021.