Congratulations to...

Christian Iuliano (12 Millward), Lucy Hall (11 Frew), Ruby Conti (11 Millward) and Lilyth Jones (Frew 2024)

Congratulations to our current and former students who were awarded with a Local Sporting Champions Grant presented by Lisa Chesters MP – Federal Member for Bendigo.

Christian Iuliano – Lacrosse

Lucy Hall – Cycling

Ruby Conti – Aerobic Gymnastics

Lilyth Jones – Cycling

Well done Lucy, Ruby, Christian and Lilyth!

Evelyn Crawford and Satya Jhaveri (Jenkin 2019)

Evelyn Crawford and Satya Jhaveri are both studying electrical engineering at Monash, Satya doubling in computer science. They recently paired up for a couple of projects. One of these projects was to investigate JPEG and the algorithms it uses to compress photos for storage or transmission. Satya led this report, which involved a lot of coding and image processing, with long hours spent on Google making sure the whole process was understood. The other project was to design an analogue electrical circuit to complete a task of their choosing. They decided to create a dolphin detector. A dolphin's whistle is a very convenient 7–14kHz, which they found out was a very kind frequency for filtering. Evelyn led this project and designed most of the circuitry and they then had lots of fun trying to make first the simulations and then ensure the prototype actually worked. Evelyn and Satya are pictured with their completed dolphin detector prototype.

Great to see former Girton students still working together on projects at university.

Lily Begg (Jones 2018)

Lily Begg (Jones 2018) delighted the enthusiastic audience with her musicianship at the recent Bendigo Symphony Orchestra concert held at the Ulumbarra Theatre on 18 June. Lily, playing piano, was the featured soloist for the concert, adding another achievement to her already impressive CV. 

Lily Begg is now based in Narrm/Melbourne and is equally at home as a soloist, chamber and orchestral musician. With experience that spans classical, theatre, contemporary music and opera, her playing showcases a keen musical understanding and versatility. Solo appearances include the Melbourne International Piano and Strings Festival, the Sanguine Estate Music Festival, the St Paul’s August Promenade concert series, and the Putra International Piano Competition (Malaysia). A passionate collaborator, Lily has performed and recorded as principal pianist with The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the Melbourne Youth Orchestra, and The University of Melbourne Wind Symphony. She has been engaged as a répétiteur with the Australian Contemporary Opera Company, and in 2022 completed a répétiteur apprenticeship with the Berlin Opera Academy. Her piano quintet, Spell, were first-prize winners of the 2022 Melbourne Conservatorium Chamber Music Competition and have been selected to perform in the Australian Festival of Chamber Music’s Winterschool International Masterclass program later this year. When not behind the piano, Lily enjoys her other hat as an arts writer. She has written for organisations such as the Australian Youth Orchestra, the Australian National Academy of Music, and for digital publication ClassikON. Lily holds a Bachelor of Music from The University of Melbourne and is currently completing her Honours year with Dr Kenji Fujimura.

Bendigo is incredibly fortunate to have its own Symphony Orchestra and features several past students and current and past music staff among its members. Until recently, the BSO was performing at the Capital Theatre, but due to popular demand (sell-out concerts!), the Orchestra has now moved its regular performance space to the Ulumbarra Theatre. The Bendigo Symphony Orchestra’s next concert takes place on Sunday 17 September at 2.30pm. Tickets are available at gotix.com.au.

Ruby Shirres (Millward 2017)

Congratulations to Ruby Shirres and her string quartet, Affinity Quartet, on winning multiple awards at the Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition Grand Final event at the Melbourne Recital Centre.

Affinity Quartet won the Grand Prize, the String Quartet Prize and the Audience Prize!