2022 in Review 

Bianca Lapins, Community Relations Officer

After two years of many disruptions and cancelled events, it was wonderful to bring our alumni together again with a full schedule of reunions and networking events throughout 2022.

We hosted two Walsh Club Luncheons for former students who left Kilvington 50 or more years ago, both of which were very well attended with guests reconnecting and sharing many wonderful memories. 

On International Women’s Day our current Year 11 and Year 12 students and staff enjoyed a keynote address by Adjunct Professor, Shelly Penn AM (Class of 1982), about gender equality and how to #BreakTheBias.

The guest speaker at our all-peer Kilvonian Konnections event was author and former Member of the Federal Parliament of Australia, Julia Banks (nee Lolatgis, Class of 1980). Julia shared her experiences of life in federal politics and spoke about the need for equal access to resources and opportunities regardless of gender. 

Our other six reunions attracted over 250 Kilvonians with guests enjoying the opportunity to connect and catch up with their cohorts and enjoy tours of the school. Many thanks to our Student Ambassadors for their time assisting at the reunions and helping to make the events a great success. 

Sarah Lim (Class of 2003) took over as President of the Kilvonian Alumni Committee from Sarah McSwiney (Class of 1999) who stepped down to take the position of Chair of the Kilvington Board. Sarah will remain as a member of the Committee. 

Kilvington has many events and activities planned for our centenary year in 2023 and we would like to encourage as many Kilvonians as possible to come along and join in the celebrations.

To the Class of 2022, congratulations on reaching the end of your secondary schooling. As you forge new paths and start to pursue your dreams, we wish you all the very best. We warmly welcome you to the Kilvington Alumni and look forward to reconnecting with you in the future. 

Kilvonian Alumni Committee 

This year the Kilvonian Alumni Committee conducted a Mentor Matching Program Pilot that saw current Year 11 students matched with alumni to explore issues such as how to navigate life beyond the school environment. The pilot was a great success and will be rolled out as a permanent program in 2023 and beyond. 

The Alumni Walking Group gathered new members this year and will continue to meet at

 Duncan Mackinnon Reserve at 9.30am on the following dates throughout 2023 for coffee and walking catch ups. All Kilvonians are welcome to join.

• Sunday 5 March 
• Sunday 2 April 
• Sunday 7 May 
• Break for June-August
• Sunday 10 September 
• Sunday 8 October 
• Sunday 5 November
• Sunday 3 December

A big thank you to all committee members (Sarah Lim, Class of 2003; Sarah McSwiney, Class of 1999; Ann Cleghorn, Class of 1977; Julie Scott, Class of 1982; Rebecca Zolotareva, Class of 1992; Rachel Cetrola, Class of 2018; Mitchell Cole, Class of 2019; Charan Naidoo, Class of 2017; Elisabeth Yeo, Class of 2019 and Peter Yu, Class of 2017) for their time and efforts in delivering a rich and engaging Alumni program in 2022.

The Alumni Committee is looking to expand its membership, especially with past students from the class of 1985 through to 1995. The group meets five times a year to drive the program of events and activities for Kilvonians to connect and have some fun.

If you would like to join the Committee or are keen to find out more, please email Community Relations Officer, Bianca Lapins, via lapinsb@kilvington.vic.edu.au. 

Concerto Concert  

At the end of Term 2, Kilvington proudly showcased the talent of top performing music students at the inaugural Concerto Concert at Deakin Edge, Federation Square. 

We were delighted that over a dozen Alumni were able to perform with the Kilvington Orchestra and join the Finale that saw a massed choir formed by the Kilvington Contemporary Choir, Kadences, Krooners, staff and past students and teachers performing Vivaldi’s “1st Movement from Gloria in D Major”. 

Mitchell Cole (Class of 2019) joined the choir and shared his reflections of the performance. 

I was pleasantly surprised earlier this year to learn that my music career at Kilvington was not over after graduating in 2019. Instead, thanks to the effort of Nicole Bull and her team, several past alumni were given the opportunity to collaborate with staff and students in a combined music item, Vivaldi’s Gloria first movement. 

I was reminded of the caring nature found at Kilvington by how easily old friendships were remembered between students, staff and past alumni. I have had very little musical involvement since leaving the school, but I found myself completely engrossed by the talent and effort of all students, especially the 2021 and 2022 VCE Music 3&4 student soloists. 

I had the privilege of rehearsing with these students for years and now I have the pleasure of listening to them inspire other students.  As always, the conductors and music support staff facilitate individual and group growth through frequent and productive rehearsals to allow each student to excel musically. Despite a covid interlude, music at Kilvington has made a strong return. 

Welcome to the Class of 2022

To the Class of 2022, congratulations on reaching the end of your secondary schooling. As you forge new paths and start to pursue your dreams, we wish you all the very best. We warmly welcome you to the Kilvington Alumni and look forward to reconnecting with you in the future.   

Alumni Committee President, Sarah Lim, Class of 2003, shares some words of encouragement. 

Congratulations to the class of 2022. A job well done and one that each of you should be very proud in your achievements, not just academically but also in your other endeavours, especially given the challenges of the past two years. 

You have developed levels of determination, resilience and grit to a level much higher than my cohort at your age and the resilience that you have demonstrated will hold you in good stead at university and into your respective careers. 

As you finish your secondary education, you have officially joined the Kilvonian Alumni Community. I encourage you to take part in alumni events and activities in a way that suits you so you can continue to be part of the school community. 

In 2023, it is Kilvington’s centenary year, and we plan to bring a broad range of activities to our Alumni community including reunions, talks from industry leaders, sporting events, musical performances and many other events. You are welcome to join any alumni event and you are also welcome to join the committee if you would like to play a role in shaping the events that are on offer. 

Finally, I want to close with a quote from one of my favourite movies, Ferris Bueller’s Day off. If you haven’t watched it, now is an opportune time to re-watch the classics. The wise words of Ferris says “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

Virtual tour of Kilvington 

Did you know you can take a virtual tour of Kilvington? Click here to visit the School online and explore the wonderful educational facilities.