Where are they now?
Jacqualine Rankine (1965)
In this recollection, I have used the numbers my sister and I were assigned when we entered Sacré Cœur
in 1959. Some I forgotten, and I do apologise. I have used family names rather than their married names as things change over time.
My name is Dr Jacqualine Rankine [234], and I matriculated with the class of 1965. Matriculation is the current Year 12 and Matriculation was before the VCE. My sister Dianne [235] completed Matric a year after myself, and is still a nurse. We were an eclectic bunch of girls and some became my lifelong friends. Girls such as my friends Andrea Deheny [36], Fiona Grant [137], Ellen Fulton [257] and Elizabeth Stegley [38], I still see. We catch up as often as we can. Some of my friends have passed way such as Anne Scurry [233], Elisabeth Bouchier [219], Christina Barlee, Jennifer Powell [295] and Mietta O'Donell [245]. I still miss them. Others like Anne Pianta [19], Katherine Horan [158], Kristen Batten [189], Lynette Gearing [229] and Susan Cumming [114] I get to see at school reunions. We have lost track of Judith Lord [254], Derena Percy [232] and Jane Lockwood [276]
My mother refused to allow me to go onto University and gave my sister Dianne and myself the choice of either teaching or nursing. However some of the nuns pleaded with her to let me attend, as they believed I had the ability to achieve high honours, especially in History. An obedient daughter, I resigned myself to the course set and became a teacher, but I did an extension to include librarianship in my qualifications.
My husband Stewart put me through my first year at University which I completed part time, whilst full time teaching. I paid him back by putting him through his final year of Law. The children followed and when I was offered the chance to do my Doctorate, I leapt at the chance and the thesis wrote itself, because it was centred on the Light Horse. I was born in Western Australia, and many of my older relatives had served in that Brigade. One of my Fathers' uncles led a charge at Beersheba in October, 1917. My life has been spent teaching History and running libraries in schools. I was also involved in the schools my children, Cecily and James attended. My children have their father's family name of Hollingworth. Cecily is a criminal law barrister and James is a noted computer animator. He counts Game of Thrones in his CV.
My passion is History, but I also loved the students I taught. This came out in my teaching, as I was not a person who screamed or yelled. I am now semi-retired, but still teach when asked. I write a lot and enjoy cooking for family and friends, as well as going for long and interesting walks. My life is fulfilling and very enjoyable. I travel when and where I can. I must thank the late Mother Audrey O'Sullivan for setting books about History in front of me. It awakened my passion for knowledge. The good soul also pointed out that I was definitely not suited to Convent life!!
Justine Smith (2001)
In Year Nine I saw a video of a scientist in a hut in Antarctica – surrounded by ice, snow, freezing temperatures, and penguins. That people go to the most remote place on earth to study wildlife was a revelation. I wanted to do that too.
After graduating in 2001 I studied environmental science, and since then, science and a sense of adventure, have led to many wonderful experiences. This includes working with endangered species, completing a phD in wildlife conservation, and living and working in Mongolia. Currently I work for the State government in bushfire risk reduction.
Though many of my fellow students whilst studying were female, there is a lack of female representation in leadership globally, particularly in science. I am lucky to have incredible female scientists as friends, some of whom are my greatest inspiration and encouragement. However, this lack of representation in leadership means we are missing the ideas, knowledge, and expertise of half the population.
I am part of the fourth cohort of Homeward Bound, a global leadership program for women in STEMM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics, medicine). The program seeks to build our skills to actively contribute to scientific leadership, influencing decision making for the future of our planet. Delivered largely online, the program culminates in a three-week training intensive in Antarctica.
To support my participation, I am undertaking a range of fundraising activities – finally combining my love of art and science as I did in Year 12! To find out more about the program and my fundraising please check out my fundraising page and blog. If you are an aspiring scientist or would like to get involved in Homeward Bound yourself, please get in touch.
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