In the Spotlight 

Onella Muralidharan  

Class of 2016

Past pupil Onella Muralidharan (Class of 2016), appeared in the Herald Sun on 18 November 2021 in an article centered around the BELLA Management Unsigned Model Search. More than 350 models from around Australia applied, including a Paralympian and a number of people with various body shapes and ethnic backgrounds. 

Onella says that she entered "because she wanted to represent her Sri Lankan heritage and break the stigma what we have to look a certain way and fit a certain criteria". 

We absolutely loved this message and cannot wait to see fashion catwalks become a lot more inclusive and diverse. 

Samantha Hargreaves  

Class of 2015

In October, past pupil Samantha Hargreaves (Class of 2015) won the ‘Singer of the Year 2021’ competition hosted by the Melbourne Male Welsh Choir! This annual competition was open to aspiring young singers under the age of 35. With almost 30 entries featuring tremendously gifted artists, Samantha amazed and impressed the adjudicators with her incredible soprano performance. 

Earlier in the year Samantha was also awarded the Bettine McCaughan Scholarship for 2021. This scholarship is awarded to a gifted classical singer and is auditioned Australia wide, in the memory of celebrated Victorian singing teacher, Bettine McCaughan. 

Vikki Petraitis  

Class of 1983

In September, Past Pupil of Distinction nominee, Vikki Petraitis (Class of 1983) featured on the Channel 9 program, ‘Under Investigation with Liz Hayes’. Here, a panel discussed the cold case murder of Beth Barnard in 1986 who inspired Vikki’s book, ‘The Phillip Island Murder’.

Dr Bridie Kean 

Class of 2004

In August, Past Pupil of Distinction Dr Bridie Kean (Class of 2004) appeared on ABC iview, ‘The Drum’. Presented by Ellen Fanning and Julia Baird, ‘The Drum’ ‘hosts respectful conversations about the issues impacting people's lives in the show that values expertise above opinions’.

Amanda Hargreaves 

Class of 2016 

In early August we heard that Amanda Hargreaves (Class of 2016)  was playing the role of ‘Olivia’ in Victorian Opera’s, ‘The Friends of Salamanca’. This beautiful opera by Franz Schubert is a carefree story of love and friendship set in Salamanca, Spain.

After graduating from the College, Amanda studied a Bachelor of Music (voice) from the University of Melbourne, graduating in 2019 with first-class honours.

Grace Sabbatucci  

Class of 2011 and

Aubrey Flood 

Class of 2008

In July, we received the news that past pupils Grace Sabbatucci (Class of 2011) and Aubrey Flood (Class of 2008) were involved in Antipodes Theatre Company ‘2021 Winter Lab’ - ”an annual development accelerator for new work and bold ideas. The Winter Lab engages writers, directors, dramaturges, actors and other artists to assist with developing new work while also participating in workshops, panel discussions, and other activities as a community”.

Grace is currently one of our Music Tutors at the College. 

Fiona McCormack AM 

Class of 1980 

We were so thrilled to 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. 

Associate Professor 

Edwina Wright AM  

Class of 1973

Again, we were so thrilled to hear that another past pupil, Associate Professor Edwina Wright AM (Class of 1973) was recognised on the 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours List. 

Edwina was awarded a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia for significant service to medicine and research, notably for people living with HIV/AIDS. Her clinical research interests include HIV prevention involving pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and early HIV treatment, HIV cure and HIV- associated neurological disorders.

"It is a tremendous privilege to be a clinician and a researcher in the area of HIV treatment and prevention. I have learned so much from people living with HIV and people seeking to prevent HIV infection, my colleagues, peers and mentors that this Queen's Birthday Day Award belongs as much to them as it does to myself and my family."

Louise Prichard Nicholson

Class of 1987

Lou, a 2021 Past Pupils of Distinction Nominee

was nominated for the Kingston Woman of the Year Award 2021. Lou is a long-time volunteer at the St Bede's/Mentone Tigers (SBMT) Football Club and is also the Club President. In 2020, Lou liaised with professionals creating an online mental health program specifically for the club during COVID. 

More recently her 'Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles' podcast dealing with all things French has been picked up by a new website funded by the French Embassy  It is also partnered with the Alliance Française in Australia.

Kylie Montesanti

Marketing Coordinator