Focus on Fairholme 19

FOCUS FAIRHOLME COLLEGE

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED

2019

‘Shine, Jesus, shine Fill this land with the Father’s glory Blaze, Spirit, blaze Set our hearts on fire.’

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Contents

From the Principal

02

Chairman 04

57 COVER: Kate Pilcher, Globetrotting Published by Fairholme College Editors/Writers: Marita Ramia and Helen Lange Layout and Design: Marita Ramia and Sandra van der Stelt Advertising Enquiries Communication Office T 4688 2341 Fairholme College Toowoomba Proudly a College of the Presbyterian Church of Queensland Wirra Wirra Street PO Box 688 Toowoomba Q 4350 T 07 4688 4688 info@fairholme.qld.edu.au www.fairholme.qld.edu.au www.facebook.com/fairholmecollege ABN: 16 917 099 053 Registered Provider (Queensland): Fairholme College Toowoomba CRICOS Provider Code: 03726D

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M.A.D About Peace

09

The Road Less Travelled

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Bringing The Hospital To The High School

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Tenacious In Tokyo

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It’s Not The Ball That’s Pitched...

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Sailing Scientist

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Whole School Picnic

CSI 31

Dr Linda Evans

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A Raw Impact

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Finding Her Mojo

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Outside The Box

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The Game Changer

52

Formal

Fairholme Old Girls’ Association

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Reunions 55 Engagements 56 Weddings

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Baby News 58

Women of Strength

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The Road Less Travelled By...

Dr Linda Evans | Principal of Fairholme College

‘Two roads diverged in a wood, and I — I took the one less travelled by, And that has made all the difference.’

(The Road Not Taken – Robert Frost) Michael Selleck, my Senior English teacher, introduced our class to the poetry of Robert Frost. He began gently with ‘The Road Not Taken’, and nudged us into other works like, ‘Out’, and ‘Mending Wall’, and ‘Home Burial’, and dozens more... I can still recite phrases and lines and even stanzas from these poems because I was blessed to be taught by a teacher who knew how to ignite a passion for language. If I close my eyes I can see images from those poems, conjure lessons where we sat in in a circle and read the words out loud. ‘That’s what poetry is for,’ he 2 Fairholme College

would say, ‘to be read out loud.’ Thus we sat on steamy Brisbane afternoons, unravelling threads of meaning, arguing interpretations and being introduced to the subtle nuances and cadences of the language in use. We navigated our way through Guiseppe di Lampedusa’s novel The Leopard and George Johnston’s My Brother Jack and could recite large chunks of Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s, ‘Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ — because he believed it important that we did.

Well … that’s how I remember Senior English, through the unreliably rosetinted lens of memory. No doubt whilst others from the same class have a totally different recollection of English classes, none would doubt the passion and intelligence of our teacher. He taught differently at a time of traditional chalk and talk; there were lessons with the

music of Mahler to begin, or a fierce debate on a contentious topic, or he would share from something he was reading at the time — but there was also an insistence on a standard of excellence. He took the [pedagogical] road less travelled and that made all the difference … to me, anyway. It made me think differently about education and it pushed me further into a love of language. And whilst critic, Orr (2015) argues that Frost’s poem is more about our need to justify decisions when faced with crossroads than about wise and measured choices, I would argue that at any time we are faced with decisions to make, we should draw deeply from our pail of experiences.

Given that today’s 15-year-olds are likely to have 17 changes in employers across 5 different careers (Denny, 2019), they will be dipping into that pail often, as they

consciously or subconsciously choose their next pathway. Further, ‘some 85% of the jobs that today’s students will be doing in 2030 haven’t been invented yet’ according to Anderson (2018).

The future is not just the road less travelled, it is the road not travelled.

Denny (2019) suggests that tomorrow’s jobs will draw from the very human skills of ‘problem-solving, creativity, adaptability, flexibility, physical dexterity and communication skills.’ Watch a Fairholme March Past and you’ll see evidence of those skills, or Boarders planning for a themed night in – or perhaps you could venture down to the Greta Centre on an ‘A’ Tuesday and see what’s happening in the Year 10 Specialist Elective offerings. You might see a group of girls designing a prosthetic limb; teams of girls rotating through activities in our newly created Health Hub under the guidance of professionals from the Mater Hospital; or others sorting through the intricacies of training programs with a fitness tutor.

Other girls might be adding flying hours

towards their pilot’s recreation licence off campus, or others working in a local soup kitchen as part of their active citizenship program. They are gathering skills for a lifetime, possibly without any real knowledge of the ripple effect of those skills into the future. After all, according to Alan Kay, 2003 Turing Prize winner, ‘the best way to predict the future is to create it.’

Our Fairholme Old Girls featured in this edition of Focus — Kate Pilcher, with her Globetrotting business; Tracey Fields, who leads others in workplace health and safety; Liz Wardley, dubbed the sailing scientist and Nikki Keighran, a forensic scientist for the Australian Federal Police — probably didn’t complete a SET plan at the end of Year 12 and map out their future careers.

Though, I imagine that those who knew them at school would inevitably nod their heads when considering where each of these impressive women has landed. Their willingness to take risks and their self-belief were no doubt traits evident at school. I hope, that in

some way, the experience of Fairholme prepared them to step into a place not often traversed by women – that their teachers’ belief, the resilience of boarding house living, the creativity of service activities and house events and the enjoyment of working collaboratively have played some part in their journey.

In the same way, the English and Modern History lessons with Mr Selleck remain a thread in my life, at times a lifeline to words that bring comfort or challenge thinking; a propensity to lose myself in a narrative when time is available. Through him, as a teacher, I was reminded that lessons don’t have to be chalk and talk and follow the lesson plan to the letter – that dipping into other richer moments are important too.

That’s his legacy — because he, he took the road less travelled by, and that made such a difference to me.

REFERENCES Anderson, B. (2018). 12 Jobs You’ll Be Recruiting for in 2030, in https://business.linkedin.com/talent-solutions/blog/future-of-recruiting/2018/12-jobs-you-willbe-recruiting-for-in-2030 29 November 2018.

Denny, L. (2019). Choosing a career? These jobs won’t go out of style, in womensagenda.com.au, February 19, 2019 Orr, D. (2015). Finding America in the poem everyone loves and almost everyone gets wrong. New York: Simon & Schuster, cited in Godwin, B. (2015). The Road Less Travelled: Changing Schools from the Inside Out, Denver, CO: McREL International OECD (2019), ‘Overview: The future of work is in our hands’, in OECD Employment Outlook 2019: The Future of Work, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi. org/10.1787/e4718721-en.

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The Road Less Travelled ongoing development and completion of our Master Plan Mr Ian Andersen | Chairman of the Board As you might remember, in the last Focus I outlined the need for the an College to develop a Master Plan; an opportunity to look into the future while remembering what we are and who we are. When complete, it will provide an insight into the future direction for the physical needs of the College, in the shorter term and well into this century.

Because we have not sought to develop a Master Plan in such a structured and extensive way previously, we commissioned m3architecture to help us develop our plan, and they provided expert guidance throughout this process.

They conducted a town meeting attended by many stakeholders – students, staff, parents, and community members – to gain input into the plan.

They engaged with the Board, staff, 4 Fairholme College

and others across all sectors of College life, to understand aspects such as class sizes, classroom needs, timetabling limitations, vehicular movements, parking needs, pedestrian movements, and disability access. They carried out a full-site survey to understand the topography and its impacts and limitations, sought town planning advice and reviewed existing services, all to inform what will be a comprehensive Master Plan, robust in its methodology, exciting in its conception and its inherent possibilities.

The journey has been long and has certainly taken the Board of Directors on ‘a road less travelled’. From my perspective this has been a process that required the Board to act independently, freeing ourselves from the norm – not weighed down by history, current needs, prejudices, opinions or pre-conceived

ideas, but certainly informed by such aspects as well as our culture and values.

For my own part, last year the Deputy Chairman and I visited three leading schools in Sydney — Ravenswood School for Girls, SCECGS Redlands and The Scots College — and Canberra Girl’s Grammar School last year while attending the Annual Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association Conference in Canberra, to inspect their campuses and recent building projects; and to understand how a master planning process informed their developments.

As I write, the Plan is almost complete – and I’m very much looking forward to sharing it with you all at ‘Presenting Fairholme’.

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Whole School Twilight Picnic

‘SING’ TWILIGHT PICNIC & FLICK We welcomed families in Term 1 with a family movie night on the Oval. Parents and their children pulled out a picnic rug, bought a hot pizza and settled in to be entertained by our Year 12 Communications Committee who invited girls to perform their own audition for ‘Sing’. Then as the sun faded and the stars began to shine, families snuggled under blankets for the family movie, ‘Sing’.

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Whole School Twilight Picnic

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M.A.D. About Peace Gill Hicks

Gill Hicks, the survivor of the 2005 London bombings, was the inspiring speaker at the 2019 Women of Strength Lunch, sponsored by Fairholme College. The lunch, which raised money for the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation, was attended by more than five hundred people. Fairholme students waited on tables and performed as part of the College’s support of the event.

‘It didn’t matter if I was rich or poor, the colour of my skin, whether I was male or female, my sexual orientation, who I voted for, if I was educated, if I had a faith or no faith at all.

Nothing mattered, other than that I was a precious Human life.’ Her voice captures the room immediately. Five hundred ladies (and a few men) fall silent.

Gill Hicks’ voice has a sense of calmness about it, matching her plans for a world that lives in peace despite the fact that her life 14 years ago was thrown into a new direction because of one person. One person who wasn’t at peace.

A 19-year-old suicide bomber who stepped onto the London tube at rush hour and became part of a series of co-ordinated Islamist terrorist suicide attacks, targeting commuters, like Gill.

‘It was just a breath of time. There was no big bang. There was no anything… except a breath, and in just that breath my life and those around me changed forever.

I remember thinking, “Oh God, this is it. This is the film.” There were no images of my career. There was nothing that connected me back to the office I worked in, in that film.

And I remember that feeling, and thinking, “Actually I want more of those moments. Whatever I’ve just seen

before me in the film of my life, I want more. I want to survive whatever has just happened to me.” ’

acknowledging one another. Now, she said, in this disaster zone they were all that mattered to each other.

Gill and those around her were unsure of what had just happened, but very aware that they were surrounded by injured people.

‘We each kept each other alive. We started to yell out each person’s name – almost as a roll call. We were there for an hour. Sixty minutes of not knowing if we were ever going to get out.’

Through it all, the power of the mind was what kept Gill alive.

‘The strange thing is that it was actually comforting to hear other people in distress. Because then I knew that, whatever had happened, I wasn’t alone.

Whatever had happened, happened to us all. And there was this incredible moment where I was again reminded of the brilliance of humanity.’

Gill described the irony of everyone relying on each other after getting on the train earlier without even

‘As the darkness lifted I could see that I had lost both my legs. I was very conscious. Again, it was the strength of the mind – in looking back now, my eyes were seeing what my brain could not compute. So the brain was giving me back some beautiful reassuring ideas. “Gill don’t over react. This is just a flesh wound, it’s nothing to worry FOCUS VOL 1 2019 9

about – stop being a princess about this.” We are amazing – the ability to do that in such a horrid situation. That kept me alive in my body.’

Twenty other passengers, travelling between Kings Cross-St Pancras and Russell Square Stations, were killed when the suicide bomber detonated his bomb. A further 340 were injured, including Gill, all of them strangers to him. Gill’s rehabilitation never ends and she’s in constant pain.

‘The hardest thing for me has been to know that just because I can’t feel the ground, doesn’t mean it’s not there.

That’s been a really big leap of faith for me.’

Perhaps the most amazing outcome has been Gill’s decision to become an advocate for peace. She credits the bomber for her success as the director of her organisation, M.A.D. (Making a Difference) for Peace.

‘He taught me what can happen if we act in ignorance – which he did – and equally he’s taught me to never presume anything about anyone I don’t know.

What would have happened if we’d talked? That’s all I’m left with. What

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would’ve happened?’

M.A.D for Peace encourages us to think of ‘peace’ as a verb, something we all have a responsibility to ‘do’ every day.

In 2008, Gill released her book, One Unknown, named after the chilling label attached to her when she arrived at emergency after the bombing: one unknown, estimated female.

In 2015, Gill Hicks was named South

Australian of the Year and is now mother to Amelie, who attended the Women of Strength function with her, and danced alongside our Fairholme performers.

Gill’s inspiring story left its mark on our students, parents and staff who attended the lunch, which raised more than $61,000 for the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation. Fairholme will continue its support of Women of Strength in 2020.

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The Road Less Travelled Kate Pilcher | Fairholme Old Girl 1998

For someone who travels the world extensively, yearns for the discovery of new cultures and does so fearlessly on horseback, Kate Pilcher (nee Johns; 1998) has a home that feels so lived-in and so loved that you couldn’t imagine the global adventures she undertakes year in, year out.

‘Will you have a cup of tea? Please say yes,’ says Kate, enthusiastically and warmly. ‘Oh don’t mind Clifford,’ she adds, smiling at her large dog sunning himself comfortably. ‘He’s a lover not a fighter.’

Kate’s home, perched up in the hills of Kureelpa, is filled with the eclectic collections of her travels through Africa, Mongolia, the USA, Chile, France and Iceland – to name a few.

But there are toys too, and photos of her young brood of three girls – Finn, Birdie and Poppy – and a wedding photo of Kate and husband, Steve, which is where the story all begins. Steve proposed to Kate first, and she said no. ‘Well I was in the middle of a quarter-life crisis, and most guys would be very offended by that rejection – but not Steve. He was like, “That’s cool. But next time, you propose.”’

Kate laughs at Steve and he smiles and says, ‘She nearly ran out of time too.’

‘Yeah, I bet I did,’ Kate replies, ‘I was on borrowed time for sure. But I had to sort myself out. Mum and Dad had just separated, and theirs was a relationship

I had aspired to and I thought they had a great partnership. I thought I wanted the same for Steve and me, and so my equilibrium took a huge knock. All of a sudden everything was going too fast.’

Kate was running Sunshine Coast Magazine, Salt, with her Dad. She and Steve had a mortgage and a dog. But she packed her things and headed to Argentina, after being inspired by an earlier trip to Africa.

‘I found this estancia in Patagonia, Argentina, and just got lost there. I spent six months there, in this totally self-sufficient community, milking cows, riding the horses and - when I could, I would make the half day journey into town to call Steve on one of those old phone cards.’

Kate describes her time in Argentina as soulful, a chance to reconnect with horses and experience a new culture.

‘I learnt their way of training horses, and how to ride alongside the gauchos and the seasons of an estancia. It brought back sort of being at home on the property (in Dalby) but on a grander scale. This was wild and unkept and unpredictable, sleeping out under the stars and sitting around a fire. It was a great leveller for me.’

And that was just the beginning.

Kate moved on to Kenya, where she worked as a horseriding guide in some of the world’s wildest terrain.

‘That’s where I learnt the rhythm of being a guide and looking after guests,

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and training all the young horses to be part of the game, and I learnt Swahili.

The Maasai Mara just blew my mind and set my heart on fire.’

And so, in this moment of soul searching, Globetrotting was born.

But first, Kate had to return to Australia and face the reality she’d escaped.

‘Dad said, in no uncertain terms, that it had been long enough, and that it was time to come home and deal with the magazine that I was co-owner of.’

On her return, Kate found so many people interested in the rides she’d been doing, asking her how they could do the same, which fuelled her dream for her new business venture.

She set up Globetrotting with the rides she’d already done in Argentina, Chile and Africa and started road-testing other rides whenever she had time off from running the magazine. ‘I did rides that were on my bucket list, and so I would test them out and then have clients slowly feeding in.’ During this time, Kate returned the proposal to Steve – on horseback in the Maasai Mara, and he said yes. In 2012 they had their first daughter together, Finn. Life was humming along for the busy young family, with the Magazine and a travel agency.

‘The more I was putting into Globetrotting, the more it was growing.

I kept feeding it and it just kept getting bigger and bigger. And then, one bizarre, life-altering Friday afternoon that we will never forget, Steve and I were discussing selling Salt to allow Globetrotting to expand and, literally, the phone rang and a lady said, “I want to buy your magazine.” It was crazy!

We still talk about this day because obviously the Universe was encouraging us in the direction we wanted to go.

After three months of negotiations we sold it to her.’

Now with baby Finn in tow, Kate and Steve were determined to make the venture work. ‘Everyone told us we wouldn’t be able to travel with a baby.

We didn’t listen to any of them. I had dreamt up this South American ride where I had planned to return to the

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estancia in Argentina, where you have to ride in on a horse, with all our guests and with Finn on my front. She was 6 months old, and it was amazing.’

Despite proving she could do it, Kate admits it hasn’t all been smooth sailing.

‘We took all three girls to Morocco last year, and Pops was only 9 months old.

We were literally camping in the Sahara Desert with the girls and 10 guests and it was challenging. Pops woke at 4am and I was still breastfeeding but she just wouldn’t settle. It was absolutely freezing and I walking around outside the tent, hoping I wouldn’t wake any clients, staring at the stars and thinking, “I can’t do this anymore.” I told Steve I was done, I was going home, and he – being the amazing supporter he always has been – worked out a plan. The next night we all slept in the tent together, we put a bottle of milk in the blankets with us to keep it warm for Pops and we all slept like Kings and Queens for the next seven nights.’

halter on one of her horses. She guides her horse down to the creek on their property, where she meditates every morning. The conversation drifts from the wild ride of international travel back to Fairholme.

Globetrotting continues to grow. This year Kate and Steve started a ride in Iceland, and will soon begin Adventure Documentaries.

‘I shall be telling this with a sigh somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference.’ – Robert Frost.

‘Yep, the Pilcher family hits the road.

World Schooling at its best,’ laughs Kate at the thought of them all travelling and filming and riding together.

‘If the kids and Steve are with me, I’m ok, but if they’re back here, I get really homesick,’ Kate says as she puts a

‘There were boundless opportunities there for me. The sky was the limit, and I think that environment at Fairholme allowed me to believe in myself enough to take the opportunity to make Globetrotting a reality.’

Kate was Powell House Captain and shared the role of Netball Captain.

‘The kinship I have with a large group of girlfriends really was the best thing to happen to me. The friends I made there are the friends I still have today.’

In December, Kate returns to where it all began, Argentina, where she will take her sister and fellow Fairholme Old Girl, Amanda (1996) for the ride of her life, to celebrate her 40th birthday.

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Bringing The Hospital To The High School Fairholme Health Hub In 2019 Fairholme College opened

the doors to a three-bed, simulated hospital ward – the first of its kind in Queensland schools.

The opening follows a partnership with Mater Education, which sees Fairholme students travelling to Brisbane to access the facilities there while studying a Certificate III in Allied Health and other Health Services qualifications.

Now, the Mater will come to Fairholme, in a partnership that has set a new standard in health studies.

‘Fairholme has brought the Hospital to the High School.

What they’re now offering their students is unlike anything we’ve ever seen in a school. They are pushing the boundaries, and as a result we are all learning so much more,’ 16 Fairholme College

says Andrew Dutton, Manager of Service Delivery at Mater Education.

In the process, our local health professionals have been able to become involved in the training of Fairholme students.

‘Partnerships with local health industry and private health organisations, such as St Vincent’s and St Andrew’s Hospitals, has allowed our students the opportunity to develop practical skill sets and gain exposure to real hospital ward environments, thus offering the students the highest level of training possible.’

Other organisations, such as Southern Queensland Rural Health and LifeFlight are also enhancing our students’ overall real-world experience, by providing practical hands-on scenarios.

The purpose-built Health facility was funded entirely by the Fairholme Parents and Friends Association and is

already being well supported by local health industries, through donations of equipment.

Fairholme’s Specialist Elective Program sees students explore pathways in areas of career interest, as well as gaining industry qualifications and workplace experience, whilst contributing towards an ATAR. ‘We’re really excited to be expanding other opportunities for our girls in 2020, which will include a new partnership for girls interested in aviation. For those interested in the Defence Force, lifesaving, agriculture and many more pathways, this new aviation offering will ensure they hold transferable skills.’

For information on the Specialist Elective program, contact Arlie Hollindale Arlie.hollindale@fairholme.qld.edu.au

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• Early initiation of treatment and fast route referral for further cardiology Experiencing chest pain? Call “000” immediately and request transfer to St Vincent’s Private Hospital Emergency Centre for urgent specialist assessment through the St Vincent’s Chest Pain Service.

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EVENTS

STILL TO COME...

Mark these dates in the diary for the end of 2019 and into 2020

Saturday

23 November

Sunday

24 November

Past Mothers and Past Students Cocktail Party Downs Club Toowoomba

Community Carols & Thanksgiving Service Fairholme Oval

Sunday

23 February

Whole School Picnic and Movie Night Fairholme Oval

Friday Sunday 22 May – 24 May

Sunday 14 June

FACETS An Art Exhibition at Fairholme

Fairholme Assembly Hall

Fairholme P&F Long Lunch

Preston Peak Winery

Tenacious In Tokyo Dominque Du Toit | Fairholme Old Girl 2014 Not just a sweet smiling baby face, Dominque Du Toit (2014) is one of the toughest girls on the Australian Rugby 7s team – ask any of her teammates and they’ll tell you, Dom displays every kind of trait you would want in a teammate.

‘As a teammate and friend she is incredibly loyal and charismatic. Both on and off the field she has an incredible work rate. She defines what it means to be a great teammate and loyal friend.

In any situation she would be the one I would want to stand next to; whether to laugh, to cry or to try smash the Kiwis,’ says fellow Fairholme Old Girl and Rugby 7s teammate, Emilee Cherry.

And now, Dom has her eye on the ultimate prize - so close to seeing her Olympic dream come true.

‘It’s certainly a big year ahead and the Olympic Games in Tokyo is the end goal. But we’ve got two tournaments of the AON University 7s Series in September and the end of October first.

Our series kicks off in Colorado and this year the Women’s Circuit has had three new legs added with Cape Town, Hamilton and Hong Kong. That gives us 7 tournaments before the Olympics.’

Dom joined teammates and fellow Fairholme Old Girls, Emilee Cherry and Gemma Etheridge, in Rio as a reserve.

‘Seeing my teammates win the Gold was beyond amazing and it was that moment that cemented it for me. I want to be able to experience that feeling for myself. My whole life I have dreamed of competing at the Olympics and now in less than a year I have the chance to potentially compete in the Tokyo Olympics. My excitement levels are through the roof!’

But she is well aware that there will be a lot of sweat and hard work before she reaches that point. Already in preseason training, the 22-year-old is training four days a week. Training involves strapping, stretching, on field sessions, treatment, reviewing footage, Pilates, scrum work, rehab exercises, skills sessions and countless hours of gym and cross training.

‘Some days at training it is so hard that I wonder if I really want to do it or if I even can do it. It is probably the hardest part of becoming an elite athlete – both mentally and physically we are challenged to the extreme. But with that pain, comes the realisation that you are stronger than you ever imagined.’

Not even the gruelling training sessions

could take away from the career Dominique is carving for herself.

‘I get to train outside every day and get to make a living from doing that. I have travelled the world and seen some of the most incredible people, places and things all while playing a sport that I love with some pretty cool team-mates.’

Many of those teammates have lead the way for some big changes for professional female athletes. Dom is not oblivious to the path she might be cutting for girls in the future.

‘When the girls won Gold in Rio they really put Rugby 7s as a female sport on the map and into the spotlight. Young girls had female rugby players that they could look up to and aspire to be like.

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Girls can now aim to be an elite sports person as their profession and be able to make a living out of it. There is still a long way to go for female sports, but I think we’re definitely on the right path.’

By her own admission, the defining moments in her career so far have been the losses, as well as the wins. Possibly one of the biggest was losing at home in the 2018 Commonwealth Games against arch nemesis, New Zealand.

The game was tight and New Zealand were up 12-0 at half-time but Australia came back to level the score at 12-12.

When the final siren sounded and the score was tied up, a rush of emotions flooded through Dom. She recalls the elation and excitement – after all, it is these moments they train so hard for.

‘But when Kelly Brazier dotted the ball down over the try line to end the game in extra-time it was a feeling of complete heartbreak that filled my entire body.

I was chasing her and I couldn’t get to her in time. I was absolutely shattered, mostly because I felt like I had let the team down in not being able to get there.’

Many Fairholme staff members will say, they, too, felt Dom’s heart breaking.

But, in losing, she believes she was also winning.

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‘It is always important to acknowledge that your opponent was better than you on that day or in that moment and respect that. At the same time I use this to fuel my determination and drive to be better next time. Every time you lose you learn a lesson.

So rather than dwelling on the loss, be grateful that you experienced it, otherwise you would never have changed what you were doing and consequently may not have improved for the next time.’

Dom says these traits, were instilled in her at Fairholme. ‘Fairholme taught be to be tenacious. I first heard that word when Dr Evans spoke of Fairholme girls on assembly one day and I thought to myself, “that is a word I would like people to use to describe me.” I aspire to be better than the day before every day at training and to never give up.

Fairholme taught me what it takes to be tenacious; my teachers pushed me to keep up my grades even when I was absent with sporting commitments.

My sports coaches taught me to be tenacious by always demanding more of me, and in truly believing that I could be better.’

Thoughts of Fairholme also bring back memories and emotions – so many that she’s unable to pinpoint a favourite memory.

‘I can’t pick one, so I have narrowed it down to three – the first is running in the Boarder Vs Day Girl relay on Athletics Day. Winning the Under 15 Queensland All Schools Touch Tournament in 2011 and the last one is actually a memory as an Old Girl - it was the day Emilee Cherry, Gemma Etheridge and I came back to Fairholme after the Olympics in Rio and the entire school lined Palm Drive and did the jump and jive as we walked up.’

Fairholme will be ready to cheer again in 2020, with Dom likely to join fellow Fairholme Old Girl Emilee Cherry in Tokyo.

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It’s Not The Ball That’s Pitched...

Tracey Fields | Fairholme Old Girl 1995

She was Head Boarder in 1995, Cameron House Captain, Volleyball Captain and Interact Director, one of four Fields sisters to attend Fairholme, and was awarded the Daisy Culpin Memorial Prize for Leadership and Work in her Senior Year.

Today, you’ll find Tracey Fields in the role of Health and Safety Specialist at the Kogan Creek Power Station, which is currently undergoing a multimilliondollar overhaul.

‘We are a site which normally has about 100 – 150 employees and contractors.

At the moment the team is responsible for advising on the health and safety of 700 people because of the overhaul being undertaken at the plant. It is extraordinarily busy, no day is ever the same, and it’s great. It is challenging me, and certainly keeping me on my toes.’

It is the journey to this point, however, that is even more interesting.

When Tracey left Fairholme College in 1995 she headed straight to the UK, where she spent a year working with disadvantaged children. When she returned to Australia she began her dual degree in Business and Psychology at the University of Queensland.

‘My professional career actually started in business, developing businessmanagement plans and investment paths for companies to define their goals and key strategies to move into their next phase of growth.’

And then Tracey describes the change in her career as a moment in life that ‘you couldn’t script’.

‘Mum and Dad were having difficulties back on the family farm. I was bemoaning about being helpless and too far away from them to help, when I was talking to a friend who was working in the onshore oil and gas industry. She told me about the jobs available with the two weeks on, two weeks off roster, which I thought would give me an opportunity to help Mum and Dad.’ So Tracey put in her resume, and in a short time found herself in the middle of the Cooper Basin, working on an oil rig.

for six years supporting the building of pipeline and gas projects in the Western Downs.

Tracey and Scott had two boys, before Scott was tragically diagnosed with

‘It was nothing like I could ever have imagined. It was incredibly challenging but extremely rewarding, and it introduced me to this concept of looking after people in their work place.

It was a real eye opener, a new field for me, and I have to say I’ve loved it ever since.’

Then Tracey met her partner, Scott, and the fly-in fly-out lifestyle gave way to traditional work hours and family. Tracey moved to Chinchilla as the Health, Safety, Environment and Training Manager for a drilling company servicing the Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) expansion. Arrow Energy, one of the largest tenement holders in the region was expanding rapidly, giving rise to an opportunity to work for an international company in Shell and PetroChina. Tracey worked with them

cancer. ‘The boys were one and three years old when Scott died. It will be eight years in January.’ There is silence for a moment, as Tracey considers this.

‘Life does not go as you plan it. But it’s not the ball that is pitched at you; it’s how you play it that matters.’

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After Scott’s death came the gas industry downturn, which saw Tracey shift to the coal-fired power stations of CS Energy.

‘Work life balance would have been easier to attain if Scotty were here. I would have spent far more time with the boys. But I am the sole income earner now. It’s a juggle of nannies , friends and family; a great network that I can trust to call on.’

The Health and Safety role is a blend of advisor and coach, where Tracey provides information and options, then works with line leaders to identify and implement solutions. At the moment with the overhaul at Kogan Creek, and the safety and health of around 700 workers on site, there is a lot for Tracey to consider.

‘You can’t just put up a little village, strip out a power station and then let it run itself. The volume of activity, concurrent work fronts and evolving scope is a unique challenge from a riskmanagement prospective. The team does an incredible job and it’s a privilege to be a part of it, providing advice and contributing from a health and safety lens. It does mean long days. I leave the house at 5am and I’m not home until after dark – that’s six days a week at the moment.’

Tracey is quiet and considered in her comments and opinions. She says it’s the only way to achieve her desired outcomes in a male-dominated environment. ‘You play to your strengths. You don’t have to be gruff and loud and aggressive to effect change.

In heavy industry, people are used to their colleagues being quite forward in getting their view across. I feel that listening first is more important and giving a considered factual-based advice works well.’

Ordinarily there are around 150 people on the Kogan Creek site. Of that number, 12 are women and 5 of those women are working in administration.

Tracey says the trend has little to do with the leaders in the industry, who are pushing for more women to be involved, and more to do with the non-traditional female roles in heavy industry. She says 26 Fairholme College

her confidence in her position as Health and Safety Specialist stems from her Fairholme days. ‘For me, being a bush kid, Fairholme opened up the world to me. I did absolutely everything – even the things I was terrible at (including sprint training - thanks, Mr Kleeman!).

Fairholme never once questioned me for turning up to any of these things, because I wasn’t the best at it. I was allowed to have a go and be myself, and at the same time be supported, which is where that great family community feeling comes in. You’re a Fairholme girl, and you’re proud of it. I see it in my friendship group – the girls I still stay in contact with – and know that if I was in trouble I could call any one of them and they would turn up. These were the kind of people we wanted to be around – and we were okay with who we were. In fact, not only was individuality good enough, it was valued.’

Tracey even believes her year as Head Boarder set her on a path to her career today. ‘I had an amazing mentor in

our Head of Boarding, Lyn Smith. Her approach to her job was that we were a team, and this was a great introduction into the world of collaborative leadership and respect for colleagues.’

The journey is bound to take another twist for Tracey and her boys yet; one that she’s not quite sure she’s ready for.

‘The next phase in our live is secondary school for the boys and I’m really struggling with that. I either move from the Western Downs region to Toowoomba or Brisbane, or they become boarders. I loved boarding so much – I would not have swapped it for the world. Tracey’s voice wavers, and she takes a moment. ‘But the thought of sending the boys away is so painful.’

One thing Tracey is certain of is either way there will be change and she’s aware that change keeps her vital and alive.

It’s not the ball that is pitched at you – but how you play it that matters. Tracey will be guest speaker at this year’s Presenting Fairholme.

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Sailing Scientist Liz Wardley | Fairholme Old Girl 1997

She came all the way from Papua New Guinea to Fairholme to board, just as her sisters, Tiffany (1994), Nicola (1986) and Tamzin (1985), had done.

But Liz Wardley (1997) already had her sea legs and longed to kick off her polished brown school shoes and get back to being barefoot on a boat.

After just one year in Wirra Wirra Street, that’s just what she did. And you’ll still find her on a boat today.

Now a world-class sailor, Liz, has thousands of sailing hours under her belt. Named Junior Female Athlete in 1999 and PNG’s Sportswoman of the Year in 1999 and 2000, at just 19 years of age she completed the Sydney to Hobart in 1997, and won it in 1999.

After visiting some of the most remote waters in the world, Liz is now helping to ‘turn the tide’ on plastic, promoting a ground-breaking study designed to track pollution in oceans across the globe.

The hardy sailor was shocked at the discovery of microplastics in waters she had imagined to be pristine, during the Volvo Ocean Race in 2017-2018, a race that has purpose. ‘The scary part is we found microplastics in the Southern Ocean – it’s the first time anyone has been down there with one of these machines. I couldn’t believe you would find it somewhere so remote.

Down in the Southern Ocean, the water is pretty pristine, and you don’t see rubbish going past, and there are all the albatrosses flying around,’ she smiles, but then shakes her head and continues, ‘Suddenly you find out that at the same time you were sucking microplastics through a filter from that same pristine water.’

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Her yacht, sponsored by the UN Environment’s Clean Seas initiative, carried its own plastics analyser that Liz had to learn to monitor, and clean, while keeping track of the data. The plastics analyser machine works by sucking in water, which traps the microplastics and provides raw data that scientists can then use as reference information.

‘We had to try and not have contact with any other plastic or touch it with our hands, so as not to corrupt the data for the scientists.’

The 2017-2018 Volvo Ocean Race saw seven teams race 45,000 nautical miles around the world over eight months

in a gruelling competition that turned sailors into scientists. The sailing is the best part, but the results from the plastic analyser are heartbreaking for someone who would prefer to be on the water than land.

Liz pictured front row, 2nd from right

‘To put it in perspective, one of the data collections was at Point Nemo – the most remote location on earth – and at that point we were closer to the space station than we were to any humanity on earth. For there to be plastic there, that was devastating,’ Liz said.

Of all the samples the team collected around the world, only two filters came back without plastic in them.

‘My message to everyone on the planet is to either reduce, reuse, recycle or refuse. I believe the time has come for us to all take responsibility. It’s not good enough to blame government or big business. We all have a role to play.’

Liz will complete her next race in 2021.

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CSI Nikki Keighran | Fairholme Old Girl 1998 When she’s at home with her two-year-old son, Toby, and Personal Trainer husband Adam, Nikki Keighran (nee Deery, 1998) is busy being Mum. But step into her Sydney work office and her day often becomes extraordinary.

‘We intercepted a container the other day which was full of ecstasy. So we removed all the drugs from the container, weighed them and realised we had removed enough crystalline material to make 19 million tablets, almost one for every person in Australia. It was my job to then to make substitute drugs and repack the container again for delivery. Then once officers discover who is involved, it’s my job to go in and get the fingerprints and DNA we need to take it to court.’

Nikki is a Crime Scene Investigator for the Australian Federal Police. ‘It probably sounds a lot like something you watch on Netflix,’ says Nikki, ‘but it’s very different from what you see on TV.’ The truth is, Nikki’s job is a science fanatic’s dream job. ‘I loved science at school. In fact, in my final years at Fairholme, I wanted to be a Vet, but was advised by a Careers Officer that I wouldn’t be able to achieve that with my marks.’ A gutsy Boarder from Moree, Nikki was undeterred; in fact, it was all it took to drive her to success.

‘I worked so hard in my final years at Fairholme and I ended up graduating with exceptional marks in 1998.

Thankfully, I had an amazing Science teacher in Mr Ash and brilliant Maths teacher in Mrs Brown at Fairholme.

It was Mr Ash that told me I had the capacity to do something different in science.’ And so when Nikki left Fairholme she went on to study Crime

Scene Investigation, and graduated from Sydney’s University of Technology with a Bachelor of Forensic Science with Honours in Applied Chemistry.

‘It was the best course you could do in that field. I graduated with a number of awards and was able to secure a great job as an Applications Chemist with a company that took me to Oxford in the UK.’ Given the scarcity of jobs in her field, Nikki was in her element – putting everything she had studied in chemistry, biology and physics into practice.

She lived in the UK for five years, before her hunger for more got the better of her. ‘There wasn’t any room for me move up in that position at the time, and so I decided I needed a new challenge. I came home to Australia after some travelling, and a job with the AFP popped up. I decided to throw my hat in the ring.’ Nikki’s hat was plucked

from the ring, and she underwent an extensive security check along with two years of learning and competency testing.

‘There are some really strict guidelines with the AFP – for obvious reasons – so after a couple of years getting through all that training, it was like I was a pilot getting my own wings. I started running my own cases, going to court to support the cases and giving expert evidence. Trusting all the time that I had done my job well.’

She still remembers, and counts it as one of her best investigations yet, her

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first solo fingerprinting job. ‘We had a man come through the airport with a suitcase full of chocolate. The kind of chocolates that come in a ball and have the wrappers twisted at each end.’

Of course, it wasn’t a suitcase full of chocolates but the high-grade drug, Opium, which often looks and even smells like chocolate.

‘He’s telling us he honestly believed they were just chocolates. He was just bringing in a suitcase of chocolates.

It was my job to prove he was not telling us the truth. I unwrapped and fingerprinted the inside of around 2,000 wrappers – trying to find one clear print. It was a huge process and the wrappers are all scrunched from the twists at the ends of each one.

Then, I got it. A clear print. It was sent off for analysis and came back as a match for this man. I still remember the rewarding feeling after the effort that went into the fingerprinting and investigating.’ Nikki has been awarded, along with her colleagues, for her dedication to major cases.

She received a Police Service Medal for conspicuous conduct during Operation Azoic, which led to the seizure of commercial quantities of narcotics, the identification and restraint of over $4 million in assets and the removal of a significant threat to the Australian community.

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Now, aside from doing swabs, fingerprinting, finding links in underground crime networks and giving evidence in court, Nikki is also supervising and encouraging new, young, Crime Scene Investigators. It’s something she’s passionate about.

‘Sharing my love of science, and getting more people interested in these careers is something I really enjoy doing – but also something I think is important if we’re to see more young scientists look at the many careers in science.’

Nikki returned to Fairholme in Term 4 to show our Year 10 students how diverse a career in science is. ‘It’s my way of giving back to Fairholme,’ she says, sincerely. ‘The school gave me so much confidence to go out into the world – and I think the strength of Fairholme Community is unmeasurable – having that behind you is a great start. But Fairholme also taught me discipline. Being a Boarder, the Prep every night and the dedication to any sporting team instilled in me a strong work ethic. I still have bosses who comment on my work ethic. I have Fairholme to thank for that.’

Fairholme looks forward to welcoming Nikki back again in 2020.

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Wedding Singer

Wedding Singer In August 2019 the students from Fairholme College and Toowoomba Grammar School came together to create an 80s wonder, in the form of the musical production, ‘The Wedding Singer’.

The two schools have been successfully producing school musicals together since 2003, and in 2019 the Empire Theatre came to life with a new style, that Director Katrina Bailey says was overdue. ‘I think we really got the casting right. I don’t think this was a musical we could have staged two or three years ago – it was time for something lighter.’

The set changes were created using projections, with the help of past Fairholme Dad, Grant Lehmann.

Katrina says it was the only way to create the kind of scenes they needed. ‘I always like the opening scene to have everyone on stage but I also wanted to create a real feel of 80s straight away. So we created these Rubik Cubes, which looked fantastic.’

There’s already excitement building for the next Fairholme Grammar Musical. ‘I’ve got lots of ideas – and if a musical happens in two years’ time, there is a stunning cohort coming through from both schools.

I’m excited to see what that brings.’

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Wedding Singer

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Wedding Singer

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Wedding Singer

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Fairholme Formal 2019

Red carpet, glamour and crowds of eager family members and friends lined the edges of Fairholme’s Palm Avenue for the entrance of this year’s senior cohort. The evening began as it traditionally does, with a function for parents, teachers, the girls and their partners.

Following the red carpet walk-in there were family photographs, an on-stage introduction of each girl and her partner, and some ballroom dancing – including a father/daughter dance.

The formal part of the evening was celebrated at Picnic Point where a three-course meal was shared, along with more photographs, and dancing. As is appropriate, the Formal Committee, under the guidance of Head of House, Ms Katrina Gierke, was appropriately recognised and thanked by Head Girl, Maggie Grigg.

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Fairholme Formal 2019

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Fairholme Formal 2019

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Fairholme Formal 2019

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FACETS of Fairholme

Facets of Fairholme opened for the third year, in May 2019.

Curators were overwhelmed by the number of entries for this year’s event, which included a private Sponsors Judging evening, Opening Night, and the successful Artist Breakfast. A number of current students were awarded prizes at the Opening Night, along with a number of new artists. The Artist Breakfast was held in the exhibition, with a panel of wonderful talent – including Katrina Goldsworthy, Dan Elborne and Anna Bartlett. The Fairholme Art Exhibition will open again in May 2020.

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FACETS of Fairholme

Award Winners for 2019

The Peter Snow & Co. Real Estate ‘Mary Snow Memorial Emerging Artist Award’ Claudia HISCOX, ‘Lone Soldier’ The Rugby Farms ‘Three Dimensional Art Award Damion FAUSER, ‘Untitled (Table)’ The Condon Charles Lawyers ‘Open Art Prize’ Zoe HAWKER, ‘It Still Lingers’ The Hutchinson Builders ‘Acquisitive Award’ Polly Lyn KIMMORLEY, ‘Flowing with a Twist’ The Fairholme College P&F Committee ‘Acquisitive Awards’ Kaiya FERGUSON, ‘The Flowers’ Maddison EASTCOTT-LAYTON, ‘A Pause In Time’ Claudia HISCOX, ‘Hustle’ The Fairholme College P&F Committee ‘Most Promising Award’ Zara BAMBLING, ‘Deconstructed Female’ The Stonestreets Packers’ Open Art Prize Betty SEARLE, ‘Warratahs’ The USQ Artsworx and McGregor Retreat ‘Inspiring Creativity Bursary’ Dominque HADDIN, ‘Horse’ The Fairholme Old Girls Association ‘Past Student Award’ Hannah CURRIE, ‘Through My Eyes’ The Supporters of Fairholme Arts ‘Current Student Award’ Maddy GORDON, ‘Female identity and other illusionistic facades’ Jessica WEHL, ‘Rocking Horse’ Charlotte FINLAY, ‘Hurricane Illumination’

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FACETS of Fairholme and FACETS Breakfast

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FACETS of Fairholme and FACETS Breakfast

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A Raw Impact Claudia Gordon | Fairholme Old Girl 2018

Claudia Gordon graduated from Year 12 at Fairholme in 2018, and just 6 weeks later, was on a plane to Cambodia to begin a 6-month volunteer journey that turned into a 12-month long discovery. A discovery of a new country and a new culture, a new and clearer understanding of poverty and developing countries, and a deep desire to make a difference. Her letter to us here...

Dear Fairholme, My journey with RAW Impact began in September of my senior year at Fairholme College when Troy and Nicole Roberts came and presented about their incredible organisation in Cambodia. It was after their speech that I quickly decided that I wanted to defer University and take a gap year, serving on the ground, in Cambodia. After many meetings with Troy and Nic, I signed up for a six-month stint, starting in January 2019.

So, on the 31st of December 2018, after a very early morning start, I, along with my 7kg backpack and my 20kg suitcase, checked in to the Brisbane International Airport on route for Phnom Penh, Cambodia. It is safe to say I had never felt so many emotions at once when I walked through those yellow gates and watched my Mum, Dad and brother disappear from my sight. My independence felt like it went from 0 to 100 within 12 hours as I had to get through customs, find my flight gate, navigate flight cancellations and terminal changes, board two planes and fill out a long-term visa application, all for the first time without my parents.

Little did I know that in a month’s time I would think of this as ‘child’s play’.

I am not going to lie, my first week in 46 Fairholme College

Cambodia was tough. I felt like I had no idea what I was doing and I thought there was nothing for me to do. I got lost getting to the office of a morning, I was overwhelmed with the amount of independence that I suddenly had, and I had this ‘missing home’ feeling that was like nothing I had experienced before. It took a lot for me to convince myself to keep hanging in there and continue into my second week incountry, but I am so glad I did.

If I had gone home I would not have ventured to the incredible Taskor Village, which is a place where I will leave a piece of my heart forever. This is where RAW Impact is building houses for local families. It was when

we handed over the house at the end of the four-day build that I realised what this actually meant for the family. This was not just a house that RAW Impact had built; they had built hope for their future. It was then that I realised why I was there. I realised how much bigger this was than just me. These beautiful people have so little but still are the most gracious, kind and grateful people that I had ever met in my life, and I am so lucky I got to witness what they described as one of the happiest days of their life. And what excited me, was that I was going to be back five days later to experience it all over again with another group of two-week volunteers, building a house for another family.

After the first few weeks in Cambodia, time began to fly and I quickly realised that six months working alongside the amazing RAW Crew would not be enough. So, I decided that I would extend my time here until the end of the year. I have been lucky enough to build friendships with the Cambodian and Western staff I work with at RAW Impact. I owe so much of my growth and development to the knowledge and wisdom that they have imparted on me. They’ve encouraged me to believe in my abilities by trusting me to handle situations that I did not think I was capable of.

To try and summarise this experience in a couple of sentences is impossible.

The two words that keep rolling around in my head when thinking about Cambodia are perseverance and perspective. To think that I was so close to stepping back on a plane after a week of arriving in this country scares me. I would have missed out on some of the most incredible experiences of my life.

But it scares me more to think that I thought my problems were so big at the start of this journey, when the families in Cambodia don’t even have access to the basic living necessities like clean water and a safe and dry place to sleep.

Love Claudia Claudia pictured (centre) with fellow FOG, Theri Grogan

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Finding Her Mojo Camilla Hall | Fairholme Old Girl 2007 Old Girl Camilla Hall (2007) is living her best life. Owning her own store, travelling and being creative were high priorities on her list of life goals. She has managed to achieve all three with her online store, Mojo Santos, in no small part, she says, thanks to her time at Fairholme.

Here, she reflects on the deep sense of community she felt at Fairholme, which she says has resonated throughout her life. ‘To reflect upon what Fairholme has instilled in me is like opening a treasure chest of memories. Community, friendship, honour, pride − pride of presentation, of ourselves and what we represent − and respect, for self and others, particularly elders, are definite take aways from my time at Fairholme.’

Studio, Chief Machu Picchu. While at the studio, I craved designing again, and started my design label, Mojo Santos.

My first product launch was eco luxe yoga mats. I truly believe everything happens for a reason, and am grateful for the order of wonderful opportunities that have paved my way back towards my initial dream of owning my own design label.

When you were at school, what were you dreaming of becoming?

Owning my own business has always been something I’ve aspired to do; my family has a history of entrepreneurship, so I felt compelled to follow suit.

Creativity, designing and fashion have always been a large part of my character.

During school I dreamt of being a fashion designer and owning my own international boutique. I like to dream big! I’ve always been an optimist and love to ask the question, ‘What if…?’

How did Mojo Santos come to life?

Mojo Santos is my surface design label; I’m an artist and designer, hand painting or digitally creating beautiful artworks that can be transferred onto a variety of surfaces including textiles for fashion or interior, ceramics, wallpapers, home décor, digital marketing, book illustrations; the possibilities are endless. Being a surface designer, I also collaborate with other designers and am open to commissioned pieces. It’s a truly exciting, creative and forever-evolving career path.

Was fashion always something you were interested in?

Designing patterns for fabrics and teaching myself how to sew my own clothes (which I’m still learning; I like to beat to my own drum!) was my first passion. It was after school I began attending yoga classes; yoga opened my mind to fresh new perspectives of life.

It enhanced my self-confidence and propelled me forward into my studies of Interior Design. However, it wasn’t long before I was drawn to study Yoga, too. At 24, I opened my own Yoga

What did Fairholme bring to your future life?

I have so many fond memories of Fairholme. I started my schooling years there in Year 5. I still remember the deep sense of community and openarmed welcomeness I felt embraced into when I began my schooling years here. I loved it. On reflection, I do bring every aspect of this into my businesses and interpersonal interactions daily. The lessons instilled are lifelong and are at the core of everything I do and say. To me, Fairholme, along with my family,

paved a solid foundation for myself, which I’m deeply grateful for.

Were there any teachers who were particularly encouraging, or who you remember as being an inspiration?

The first teacher that springs to mind was my Year 7 teacher, Mrs Libby Beauchamp, or Mrs B as she was affectionately known. She was, and is, a wonderful person! I have so much respect for her. She was fun, creative, lively, with the perfect balance of seriousness. Her light-heartedness veiled her deep introspectiveness, giving her the ability to connect to her students on a level we understood and respected.

Mrs B made school fun! I loved every day of Year 7, truthfully. There are many other teachers I admire and remember fondly − I could be here all day!

Advice to current students: If you feel a deep niggling calling inside, that’s your passion, your unique selfcalling out to be heard; let her shine!

It’s easy to get wrapped up in the superficial, yet the more we honour and respect ourselves, the more this sense of compassion overflows into our lives and our whole world shifts, for the better.

Journal your feelings, find a way to express what’s deep down inside; you’ll uncover a lot about yourself and the world around you. Let your heart be heard.

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Outside The Box Lexi Richards | Fairholme Old Girl 2011

Opportunity and choice, enthusiasm and passion. Old Girl Lexi Richards (Head Girl, 2011) says if her time at Fairholme taught her anything, it was to look outside the traditional career box.

Law and fashion. Two professions seemingly at opposite ends of the career spectrum. And yet for Old Girl Lexi Richards, they are the perfect synergy.

‘I find my online fashion business, The Corporate Collective, to be a completely different use of my brain, and an outlet from the other type of dry work I’m doing in Family Law every day,’ Lexi explains.

‘I don’t think I’d be able to put as much time into the online business if I didn’t love going home and switching off the “lawyer” and immersing myself into the marketing, fashion and copywriting world.’

Growing up, Lexi said she felt encouraged to follow the well-worn path of a traditional, safe career.

‘This certainly wasn’t a bad thing – I genuinely love my job as a lawyer – and the skills I have attained from my job are very translatable. But, I definitely think fashion has always been something I loved and always wanted to pursue in some capacity.’

Lexi says it is only now, with maturity on her side, that she can see the world isn’t necessarily constrained by the boxes of traditional career choices.

‘It is a different world. No longer are we encouraged to stick with one career choice. With technology comes opportunity and choice, which is a great thing. But before and after that, must

come enthusiasm and passion. With these attributes, you can’t go wrong.’

These are traits that Lexi absolutely learnt at Fairholme. ‘I often think of Ms Scudamore when I reflect on someone who inspired my future endeavours.

Not because I wanted to be a teacher, but simply because she approached her Ancient History classes with so much eagerness and passion. I aspired to find that for myself in my future.’

Without being too simplistic, Lexi finds her days so much more enjoyable when she is wearing something she loves! ‘Fashion certainly adds flavor to an otherwise dry office on some days!

I sometimes need to find an outlet for the creative part of my personality that doesn’t necessarily fit the “lawyering” mould.’

Juggling an emerging fashion career with the hard slog of family law can be exhausting and sapping at times.

However, Lexi says the rewards are more than satisfying and certainly fulfilling.

‘Some weeks are harder than others.

For instance, when I have Court events or life-challenging matters at work, I struggle to come home at a decent hour and fit in the extra work that I need to do on my fashion business. This means that the online business often comes second to my day job – as it should. But I know that won’t always be the case.

With the lulls come the highs.’

Again, time management and knowing how to cope with pressure was something she learnt at Fairholme. ‘I found a lot of support at Fairholme, particularly during Year 12, in dealing with the stress and pressure of managing multiple situations,’ Lexi says.

‘I have a habit of taking on too much and then waiting to see what happens when it all starts falling apart! I certainly had plenty of support during school from teachers and mentors who helped manage the fallout from that habit,’ Lexi laughs.

But it is the friendships she nurtured at school that have particularly stayed with Lexi and supported her through the sometimes daily juggles of life.

‘The constants throughout the whole nerve-wracking experience of trying to figure out life after school were my friends. At the end of the day, that’s the most important thing; it doesn’t matter what we all did with our lives after school, we all still show up for each other when we need it. It is the power of Fairholme female friendship.’

The girls she met on the first day of Year 8 are still some of Lexi’s best friends. ‘They’re the girls supporting me and showing up to my events, sharing my content on Facebook and generally being my “hype girls”. They are the puzzle pieces that make sense of everything.’

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The Game Changer Kylie Bates | Fairholme Old Girl 1993

For a few weeks every two years, nations put aside their differences and come together to battle it out on the sporting field.

Kylie will join the prestigious International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Switzerland. ‘I will be leading a design process that harnesses the assets of the Olympic movement to contribute to social change, including the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals,’ she says.

The Olympic movement is a global force that brings people together, has a highprofile platform, powerful networks and engages people, and Kylie says she is both humbled and excited to start this phase of her career.

The world’s best of the best swim, run, throw, tumble, fight, ski and bat on a level playing field. It is the gift of the Summer and Winter Olympic Games where inclusion, excellence, respect and friendship are its very foundations.

As a young girl, Fairholme Old Girl Kylie Bates (1989-1993) dreamt of competing amongst these best of the best athletes at the Olympic Games.

Always sporty, always competitive, always active, Kylie was a keen athlete.

Given a ball, a track or a stick, she excelled.

This September, her dream of being in the Olympics will become a reality... just not in the way she originally thought.

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‘We are understanding that people engage with the Olympics, not just to see amazing athletic feats, but because it brings people together and gives us a sense of what is possible when we aspire for a common good. The Olympic movement is already doing some great work in supporting programs for refugees, promoting gender equality and becoming more environmentally sustainable.’

It is these qualities Kylie has been working on in her life up to this point.

She is the founder and director of GameChangers, a collaboration that connects social impact, sport and sponsorship to change lives and profit organisations.

‘GameChangers believes funders, sports organisations, community development organisations, UN and government agencies increasingly seek both business

purpose and social change outcome,’ she says. ‘GameChangers uses the resources, networks and approaches from corporate and community development sectors to increase participation and the way community values sport.’

Kylie began her career as a national development manager in surfing and gained international development experience working on grassroots sport development programs in Papua New Guinea and Nepal, working with the Special Olympics.

‘I have tertiary qualifications in both sport management and community and international development. I am interested in entrepreneurial approaches and bringing those ideas to sport and community development programs.’

It is this philosophy and work ethic that caught the attention of the powerful game players of the IOC. And Kylie says she’s ready to take on harnessing the assets of the Olympic movement to contribute to social change ‘that ultimately unites people of all races, demographics and ideologies’.

Despite being capable of competing – or working − at the Olympic level, there are always foundational lessons to be learnt.

Kylie says she learnt some of those lessons at an early age at Fairholme.

‘I played a lot of sport at school and I also had the chance to play in netball

teams made of girls from all over the Darling Downs. I didn’t know it at the time, but this experience would be the cornerstone of my career,’ she says.

‘Sport brings groups of peers together regularly, it gives us a platform to showcase our abilities and chances to experience mastery and better health and wellbeing. It gives us a chance to get to know each other, appreciate differences, form bonds that protect us and practise and showcase leadership.

For sport to do these things, it first must be safe, inclusive and accessible, and the challenge remains to create sport opportunities that are meaningful to everyone, not just a few.’

It was Kylie’s let’s-just-have-a-go attitude that held her in good stead for her future. ‘I had the chance to try a whole range of things at Fairholme. I was good at some of them and that gave me great confidence. At others, I was terrible but enthusiastic (singing in the House choir, dancing at socials)!

‘I went through school with a group of girls who were willing to have a go and didn’t take anything too seriously.

The chance to try new things and be surrounded by a group of people who were doing the same taught me how to take steps into new situations.’

Kylie − who was both Sports Captain and Stephens House Captan in 1993 − says sport offers so much more than pipe dreams of achieving fame and fortune as a professional athlete. She says mere participation in sport can be a powerful tool for social and economic mobility – especially for women. It can be the connection to great friendships, too.

out the Jump ‘n’ Jive and all of the times sitting around between games.’

One memory in particular stands out.

‘I remember my first Fairholme Athletics Carnival when I was in Year 8. There was a girl who was so much better at everything than everyone else. She won the 100 metres by at least 20 metres and would turn up to the high jump, not warm up, and easily break the school record.

She left a year later, but it wasn’t the last we would see of her. She was Cathy Freeman.’

‘I am always amazed that we had the audacity to enter so many sporting events and were always so confident we could do well, despite not having particularly exceptional skills! I have so many awesome memories from touch, volleyball, netball, athletics and ballgames events at Fairholme.

Right now, in this moment, in this iteration of her life, Kylie is happy and excited and feels she is where she is supposed to be. She’s been a game changer and believes this next generation of Fairholme girls are, too.

‘But the times I remember most aren’t the times on the field. It’s the bus trips, the breakfasts before assembly, meeting people from other schools, playing and replaying our favourite songs, sitting on the high-jump mats outside the Assembly Hall, the first time we pulled

‘Be passionate, be curious, work hard.

School is one of many experiences you will have. If it isn’t working out, know that things will get better, and be as kind as you can. It’s ok to not know exactly what you want to do − many of the jobs you will end up achieving in are

not even invented yet. But if you have even a small idea about an area where you might be useful, it’s worthwhile exploring as deeply as you can.

‘Even if there is no guarantee it will work out, it will be worth it.’

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Fairholme Old Girls’ Association Mrs Robyn Blakeley (Reardon) | President It has been another busy year!

Our monthly FOGA meetings have been keeping us up to date with various aspects of life at Fairholme, and we have enjoyed hearing from a number of guest speakers. Erin Tonscheck, Head of the Junior School, highlighted what is happening there, Jenny Sutton updated us on her wonderful pastoral work and Jenny Noble showed us through the archives and explained why it is so important to keep in touch with our history.

At the most recent FOGA meeting, Arlie Hollindale showed us around the new Health Hub. We were tremendously impressed with the facility which enables the girls to attain the qualifications of Assistant in Nursing or Therapy Aide. Other girls are even learning to fly large drones!

The girls can work towards a particular career, or gain qualifications to help them earn money while they are at University.

FOGA events have been well attended.

Liz Wardley (1997) was guest speaker at an Old Girls evening event in Brisbane earlier in the year, telling of her adventures as a Watch Captain sailing for Team SCA in the 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race. Liz attended Fairholme in 1997 in Year 7.

A number of Old Girls attended the Preview to the Facets of Fairholme Art Exhibition in May. Old Girl, Leisl

Mott (Senior 1988) talked about creating art. The FOGA Art Prize was won by Hannah Currie with her painting ‘Through My Eyes’. Along with the SOFA Committee and current Hospitality students, FOGA provided refreshments for the Art Show over the weekend.

FOGA has continued its contributions to the Fairholme Foundation Scholarship Fund and the Fairholme Foundation Building Fund. Donations to the Scholarship Fund are very much needed at the moment, with families so badly affected by the drought. The Building Fund was utilised recently for extensive renovations to the Boarding House.

Founder’s Day was once again a great day to pause and reflect on those whose contributions have made Fairholme what it is today, with FOGA awarding two bursaries to current students.

In August, some of our lucky members were able to enjoy the School Musical The Wedding Singer, which was a co-production with Toowoomba Grammar School and staged at the Empire Theatre. We also spent a lovely afternoon with some Japanese students during their stay at Fairholme.

The Spring Fair and Reunion Weekend on 19 and 20 October was a great success and afforded Old Girls the chance to catch up with friends and stroll the beautiful Fairholme grounds.

The All Year Levels Reunion on Sunday 20 October began with a church service in the Homestead led by Head of Ministry and Mission Cath Butler and was followed by a luncheon for the Old Girls in the Dining Hall.

If you are a Fairholme Old Girl, please consider coming to the monthly meetings – you would be most welcome! It is a lovely way to keep in touch with old friends and have a current involvement with Fairholme as it is today.

We Old Girls are all part of the fabric of Fairholme and it is lovely to be able to give back to a school that has given us so much.

We wish the Year 12 girls all the best for the years ahead, and we hope to see you at our networking events and meetings in the future.

Robyn Blakeley FOGA President

At the Fairholme Golf Day on Friday 13 September, a FOGA team enjoyed playing a round at the Middle Ridge Golf Course.

PRESIDENT Mrs Robyn Blakeley (Reardon) VICE-PRESIDENT Ms Marie Cameron SECRETARY Mrs Christine Gilshenan (Dehnert) TREASURER Mrs Lyn Brandon (Taylor) PATRONESS Mrs Jocelyn Mercer (Cossart) 54 Fairholme College

2019 REUNIONS

Class of 2008 10 Year Reunion Pictured above: Around 70 Fairholme Old Girls and partners caught up at Burke and Wills last year for their 10 Year Reunion.

Organiser Georgia Soutar said the night brought with it plenty of stories and laughter as well as an abundance of memories.

Pictured right: Thirty girls for the 30 Year Reunion – a fitting get together for the girls from 1989! Old Girl Libby Nankivell organised the Fairholme 30-Year Reunion at Gip’s Restaurant in June this year. The Old Girls returned to reconnect with their classmates, share stories and refresh memories.

Pictured below left: Around a dozen girls from the Class of 1983 caught up over lunch at Southank in July. Since their 30-Year Reunion, the girls have organised a catch-up each year, with their numbers growing every year.

Class of 1983 35 Year Reunion

Class of 1989 30 Year Reunion

Class of 1968 50 Year Reunion

Interested in organising a reunion?

Stay connected with the Alumni and Old Girls’ Association. Update your details on the Fairholme Website or contact Helen Lange Alumni Officer Helen.Lange@fairholme.qld.edu.au T 4688 4614 FOCUS VOL 1 2019 55

Engagements Georgia Steele

Fairholme Old Girl 2012

From dilemma to dream Georgia Steele (2012) of Cardwell Formartin announced her engagement this year to Andrew Cockerill.

Here she reflects in her own words on how her life has turned out since school, the dilemma of choosing a university course and how it ended up becoming her dream…

‘What do you want to do, to be, when you finish school?’

The questions begin in Middle School, the pressure and anxiety starts to get real in Senior School, and before you know it, you’re in Year 12 and you still have no idea!

When I was in my Senior year at Fairholme College, I remember the hours I spent flicking through the pages of the QTAC guidebook and the countless meetings with the College career counsellors.

I knew I wanted a career pathway through which I would be able to help others. Each time I carefully studied the QTAC pages, I half expected a university course to suddenly jump out at me with flashing lights. Alas, there were no neon signs, no light bulbs, no ‘a-ha’ moments.

I spent hours anxiously deliberating preferences and the order of my top three University courses: Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy. After changing the order several times, I settled on Occupational Therapy.

I remember waiting nervously for OP results to be released, for this score to then be converted to a rank and then finally for University offers to be released.

When the offers finally came, I was disappointed. I felt like I’d let myself down; my ‘rank score’ was 0.25 short of

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the cut-off required for entry into the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy. I was deflated. I was offered a course lower on my QTAC preference list, Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Sciences.

After studying this degree for about a semester, I was at a crossroads. Is this what I really wanted to do? To be? I started tossing up again; do I continue on this pathway or do I reconsider Physiotherapy? I eventually swapped into the Bachelor of Physiotherapy degree and after five years at University, in December 2017, I graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy with Class I Honours.

finally answering that question, ‘What do you want to do when you finish school’.

It’s funny how things end up. Looking back, I can now fully appreciate how spending that first year really helped in

Take the opportunities, go through the open doors, do the work, and don’t give up.

I don’t see that first year at Uni as a waste of time or money; it allowed me to figure out what I truly wanted to study and, further, it helped me to learn the basics of Biology, Physiology and Anatomy.

I had finally answered that question, ‘What do you want to do when you finish school?’.

The moral of the story? What seems to be a dilemma could actually be the making of your dream.

Weddings & Engagement Shannon Gralow

Fairholme Old Girl 2006 As the curtain fell on the Empire Theatre’s production of My Fair Lady last month, there was a surprise awaiting lead actress and Fairholme Old Girl Shannon Gralow (2005-2006). Her partner on stage and in life, Justin Tamblyn, dropped to one knee and, in front of a packed audience, popped the question. The setting was a full circle moment for the couple; their love affair began on the Empire Theatre stage back in 2015 when both were auditioning for Mary Poppins. Since then, they have performed in pantomimes, concerts, musicals and plays together.

Shannon’s love of musicals began at Fairholme when, as a Year 11 student, she played the feisty character Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady. ‘It was a wonderful show and made me realise just how much depth Eliza has as a character.’

Shannon Gralow. Photo courtesy of Mary Quade, Toowoomba Choral Society

Phoebe Thompson

Fairholme Old Girl 2006 When Phoebe Thompson RSVPd to the annual Valentine’s Day dance at Fairholme in 2006, little did she know fate was about to play her hand. Upon entering the Assembly Hall, everyone was given a paddle pop stick with the task of finding their matching partner. As luck would have it, on Phoebe’s paddle pop stick was written the word ‘wedding’, while Grammar boy Simon Thomas had ‘ceremony’. ‘Wedding’ found ‘ceremony’, they danced the night away, and, as they say, the rest is history.

Phoebe Thompson & Simon Thomas

Twelve years later, on 25 August 2019, Simon and Phoebe had that ‘wedding ceremony’ at Phoebe’s childhood home overlooking the Lockyer Valley, in a stunning celebration surrounded by friends and family.

These days, Phoebe is an interior designer at Conrad Gargett, an architectural firm in Brisbane’s CBD, working on commercial projects from schools to workplace fit-outs to civic/cultural projects.

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Wedding & Baby News Jess Dunsdon (Weber) Fairholme Old Girl 2011

Fairholme Old Girl Boarder Jess Weber (2007 - 2011) from St George married Nick Dunsdon (Churchie Old Boy 2003-2007) from ‘Yallambie’ Cunnamulla on Saturday 21 September at Parkvale Gardens, Cherry Lane, Belli Park near Eumundi. Her sister Nicole Weber, Old Girl Boarder (2011 - 2016), was Maid of Honour.

Jess Weber is the eldest daughter of Deb and Victor Weber. Deb has served on the Fairholme Board since 2010. Jess and Nick will now live at ‘Yallambee’ where Nick will concentrate on their Grazing enterprise. Jess will continue to teach at Cunnamulla State Primary School.

Jess Dunsdon & Nick Dunsdon

Rebecca Vonhoff

Fairholme Old Girl 2000 Rebecca Vonhoff and husband Garrett Benson welcomed their third child, daughter Augusta Elizabeth, on January 24. Augie joins her brother, Wolfie, 5, and sister Floss, 2 in the Vonhoff Benson family.

Rebecca Vonhoff & Garrett Benson

Life has been busy for Rebecca since finishing at Fairholme in 2000. After leaving school, Rebecca studied history and journalism. She obtained her PhD in German history from the University of Queensland, and also studied at the Freie Universitaet in Berlin. She lectured and worked in print news media in and lived in Toronto for six years where she worked as deputy foreign editor for the national newspaper, The Globe and Mail. She returned to Australia recently and worked as deputy editor for the local newspaper before taking up a global communications role in the mining engineering industry.

Emilee Cherry

Fairholme Old Girl 2010 Rugby 7s Olympic Gold Medallist Emilee Cherry gave birth to little Alice Jean Barton on 21 June. According to mum, Alice has already become a regular at the Australian Rugby 7s training!

Emilee brought Alice to meet everyone when she returned to the College as a guest speaker at the Byron Breakfast in October.

Emilee Cherry

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Baby News

Bri Speed (nee Ladbrook, 2010) and husband Tom welcomed baby boy Charlie Bruce in Toowoomba on 20 May 2019.

It’s been a busy time for Jennifer Capp (nee Flehr, 2000). After marrying long-time partner Bryce Capp in Paris, working at QUT in Brisbane as well as helping with the family business, Milton and King Wallpaper and Fabrics, she found time to have baby Mackenzie. Last year, the Capps moved to Toowoomba to run the business online while being closer to family.

Tamara Johansen (nee Barton, 1999), has, together with her husband Jonathan, welcomed their third son last year. Noah Jonathan joins brothers Seth Frederick (6) and Levi Warren (4). A busy mum of three young boys, Tamara is a GP at the Middle Ridge Family Practice. She enjoys paediatrics, women’s health, geriatrics and skin cancer medicine.

Penny Hancock (nee Hosking, 2001) gave birth to Goldie Grace in late May this year. She is a sister to Howie Ray.

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Condolences FORMER STAFF

Mary Davis (Jeffrey) (1951)

Violet (Vi) Brennan (1996-2002)

Penelope Drysdale (1994-1998)

Nell Webster (1984-1986)

Nicole (Nicci) Grant (1981-1982)

Rev Peter Playsted (1991-1994)

Enid (Rene) Gray (Boone) (1937-1938)

Margaret Harris (Phelps) (1933-1941)

OLD GIRLS

Margaret Jackson (McCorquodale) (1950-1952)

Mary Alford (1961-1969) Mary Boydell (Salter) (1965-1968) Marjorie Cockburn (McVinish) (1947-1948) Georgia (Georgie) Cousin (1988-1994) Jeanne Crawford (Schulte) (1941)

Flora (Fay) Joppich (Anderson) (1946-1948) Elizabeth (Betty) Kendall (Strohfeldt) (1948-1949) Thais Kenyon (Slatyer) (1941-1944)

Annette Knowles (Reardon) (1956-1962) Leith Lethbridge (Lindsay) (1980) Kirsty Mitchell (Fawns) (1983-1988) Michelle Rayner (Massey) (1984-1988) Laurette Reynolds (Drysdale) (1929-1931) Marjorie Stallman (McLean) (1942-1945) Fiona Swan (Stewart) (1942-1945) Dell Taylor (Allom) (1940-1941)

Suzanne Kidman (1962-1965)

Stay connected with the Alumni and Old Girls’ Association. Update your details on the Fairholme Website or contact Helen Lange Alumni Officer Helen.Lange@fairholme.qld.edu.au T 4688 4614

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