News and Updates

Sarah McSwiney (Class of 1999)

A huge congratulations to Sarah McSwiney, former Chair of the Kilvington Board and current member of the Kilvonian Alumni Committee, for her new role as Head of Engineering at Jetstar Airways. She is the first woman in Australia to achieve this position within the airline industry.

After an impressive 20 years at Boeing, where she held a range of senior engineering and leadership roles, Sarah now oversees a team dedicated to ensuring the highest standards of safety, reliability and innovation across Jetstar’s fleet. The future of Australian aviation is in very safe hands. 

Maria Wang (Class of 2024)

Congratulations to Maria Wang, Kilvington’s 2024 Art Academic Leader and VCE Art Making and Exhibiting student. Earlier this year, Maria was invited to present at KickstART – a program supporting VCE Art students and educators, organised by ArtEdVic in partnership with the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV). 

Maria’s presentation explored the preservation of memory through the quiet rituals of daily life, highlighting how her work explores the power of being present and grounded. 

Maria is currently studying Commerce and Actuarial Science at Monash University and remains deeply connected to her passion for art and creativity. 

Professor Jayashri Kulkarni AM (Class of 1975)

Professor Jayashri Kulkarni AM recently spoke on Conversations to ABC Journalist Sarah Kanowski, discussing the link between women’s hormones and mental ill-health. 

She shared insights from her groundbreaking research using hormones to treat patients and help women all over the world. 

Dr Kulkarni has led a distinguished and celebrated career in the treatment of mental health disorders, with a particular focus on women’s mental health. She is a Professor of Psychiatry at the Alfred Hospital and founded and leads the Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre. 

Jayashri was formerly Chair of the Kilvington Board and instrumental in the construction of The HIVE. The Professor Jayashri Kulkarni AM Science Centre of The HIVE is named in her honour. 

You can listen to Encore: Hormones and mental health with Dr Jayashri Kulkarni here. 

Thusyanthi Jayasinghe joins us for International Women’s Day

This year, on International Women’s Day (IWD), we were delighted to have Kilvonian Thusyanthi Jayasinghe (Class of 2004) attend a special breakfast in Dalton Hall. 

Thusyanthi shared her experiences as a Systems Engineer and Technical Lead working on the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Health Knowledge System. Working in a male dominated industry, Thusyanthi is passionate about mentoring, advocating for women in STEAM and creating strong supportive networks so that all women can thrive and achieve their best. 

Thusyanthi is also a dedicated mother to her two-year-old son, and her commitment to making the world a better place for him drives her passion and dedication in her work. Thank you Thusyanthi!

Kilvonian Aiva Anagnostiadis joins F1 Academy

Congratulations to past student Aiva Anagnosiadis, who made history as the first Australian to join the exclusive F1 Academy. Aiva is just 17 years old and is preparing to race on the global stage and take the F1 world by storm. Well done Aiva - Kilvington is very proud of you! 

You can read The Age article here and watch The Today Show here to here more about Aiva's journey.

Claire Harvey (Class of 2005)

A huge congratulations to Claire Harvey and her partner, Anthony, on the safe arrival of their beautiful son, Thomas, on 28 August 2024. 

The family is doing well and were very excited to spend their first Christmas together as a family of three. 

Lyn Nunn (Class of 1972) 

We were glad to hear from Lyn, who shared, 'l'm attending a 70th birthday celebration for Robyn Wilson, a longtime friend from Kilvington. Many firm bonds were made at Kilvington during Mrs McKie's time as Principal, and l'm sure this continues to this day!'

Thank you, Lyn - it's always lovely to receive updates from our alumni!

Obituaries

Our sincere condolences go to the families and friends of our community members who have passed away. 

LYNDAL OSBORNE (née CORLESS, CLASS OF 1961)

We were saddened to hear from Rachel Franklin about the passing of her mother, Lyndal. We offer our sympathies to her family and loved ones during this time.

LORRAINE MCDONALD (née DICK, CLASS OF 1952) 

Greg McDonald also recently shared the news of his mother Lorraine’s passing. He said, 'Lorraine passed away at the age of 89, happy and relatively healthy at her home of 60 years with her husband of 63 years. She always enjoyed the luncheons held for old alumni, which she attended with her lifelong classmate Betty Butcher (née Seaman). 

Unfortunately, lately, due to her mobility issues and Betty's dementia, they could not attend. However, she did try to keep up to date with the newsletters from the School. She lived a wonderful life, no doubt shaped in part by her early school years at Kilvington. The fact that she still cared for the School after all these years is testament to the education she received. I'm certain that she instilled these life lessons in my brother and me. I thank Kilvington for keeping in touch with her for all these years. I know she enjoyed this contact.'