From the Presidents

Co-Presidents' Report

The recent Alumnae Association events and activities illustrate our raison d’être. The Generations Afternoon Tea, in September, brought together three generations of alumnae and alumna-in-the-making. The Parlour was filled with young and older Sacré Cœur girls enjoying tea and cakes, making and renewing acquaintances and swapping stories.

We met with the VCE Class of 2019 as they were preparing for their final exams and reminded them that the Alumnae Association was there for them at any point in their lives, be it good or bad. This year, the Mass of Remembrance was a poignant recognition of the large number of alumnae and members of the school community who had suffered the death of a family member or friend. The Mass in the chapel provided the space for reflection on their loss, whilst the morning tea in the Kirby Centre enabled many to gain comfort from their shared grief. We were so pleased that

Sr Nickie Flipo (RSCJ) made such a very big effort to attend, on the eve of her 95th Birthday.  

The Small Pleasures Lunch was a great success, as usual! This inspiring alumnae initiative has provided big and small pleasures to over 55 alumnae who are suffering  debilitating illness or injury or experiencing life-changing trauma.

We are planning to make a web-based Alumnae Association History Timeline in recognition of our Centenary in October 2017. The timeline will record significant events in the Association’s history, not the School's history, per se. The sorts of items to be recorded would be first and/or last events, for example: Debutante Ball, Tennis Cup, Golf Cup, School Awards; alumnae babies, Consecrations to Mater, etc; and significant initiatives and changes to the Association. If you have any photographs, documents, or information of relevance, please contact Melinda Adams, via phone : 9835 2737  or email

We attended the Combined Old Girls’ Associations meeting at St Catherine’s in October. Sixteen Independent Girls’ Schools were represented with us being the only Catholic Independent School. We came away feeling extremely proud and grateful for our Association being integral to the School Community, having unprecedented support from the School leadership team, our outstanding Manager, Melinda Adams and our dynamic committee. In addition, our sacconnect digital platform eclipses similar initiatives of the other schools. Over 400 alumnae have signed up to sacconnect so far.

At the Volunteers Thank You Reception in November, our Principal, Mrs Anna Masters, spoke about joy, and the Board Chair, Mrs Joan Fitzpatrick, about gratitude. Joy is palpable on entering Sacré Cœur, at present. Our heart-felt gratitude to Anna and Joan for instilling such quality of feeling and attitude into “our” School. Anna finds time to attend all our meetings and functions; her presence is always inspiring and energising.  

The Association is dependent on its committee and our  sincere thanks to all involved. The committee’s generosity, skills, artistry and time underpin the success of all our functions. Many thanks to Melinda Adams, our inimitable Alumnae Relations Manager and the Community Relations Staff for their help and support.   

May all alumnae be blessed with joy and peace during this Christmas season and a healthy and rewarding 2020. 

Kerry Bergin and Marianne Cassin