COMMUNITY
Where Are They Now?
MADDIE BROWN
CLASS OF 2004
Maddie loved her time as a student of Loreto Toorak and in particular, many of the co-curricular activities alongside the academics. Along with Maths, Drama was Maddie’s favourite subject and being able to perform in the PAF and other productions were definitely highlights of her time. The Division 1 GSV Waterpolo win in Year 12 also sticks out in her mind. Following her time at school, Maddie undertook a Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Melbourne, majoring in Geology, and continuing on to submit her thesis on paleoclimates. In her career, Maddie has travelled to Vancouver, Canada on exchange and completed fieldwork across many regions in Victoria. Currently, Maddie is working on her PhD, researching how vegetation stabilises foredunes on beaches, and how this will change with sea-level rise. Her work has taken her to Dunedin, New Zealand, where she is based for the next few years whilst completing fieldwork on Stewart Island and her PhD. Highlights of her career so far include the opportunity to participate in the CAPSTAN program during her undergraduate degree, where 20 young scientists had berth on a voyage on board the CSIRO RV Investigator. Maddie and her travel companions journeyed from Hobart to Fremantle across 10 days exploring aspects and methods of marine science and how to effectively communicate their science to the public. Maddie is nervous but excited about the forthcoming work on her PhD which will see her investigate how climate research will continue to be a forefront in society and explore how scientists can work together towards solutions for the issues we all will continue to face. In her spare time, Maddie can be seen playing Waterpolo and enjoying karaoke nights. Maddie attests that her Loreto Toorak education filled her with the confidence and tenacity to pursue research, even when questioned because of her gender. The confidence instilled in her assists her every day to be curious and to build upon current knowledge and improve it for the future. 52
VIRGINIA FARLEY
CLASS OF 1973
Virginia looks back on her time at school with fond memories and is honoured to be part of the lineage of the Farley family and Loreto history, dating back to the 1920s, with two of her aunties joining the Loreto Order. Virginia and her family lived on a rural property near Heathcote in Central Victoria. The youngest of six, Virginia started boarding at the age of 12. She remembers her boarding group and the wonderful friendships and memories. She especially remembers Sr Jennifer Collins with her delightful sense of humour and the other nuns as being wonderful mentors. After completing school, Virginia commenced a nursing career at St Vincent’s Hospital, following in the footsteps of her mother and two older sisters, Gabrielle and Rosemarie. Whilst nursing, she was encouraged to enrol in an art class, a long time passion. Virginia retired from nursing after 30 years, having built up her experience and love of painting, winning several art awards and hosting exhibitions. One of her career highlights was being selected as a finalist in the 2011 Inglis Equine Art Competition. She and her husband David flew to Sydney to meet Gai Waterhouse at Randwick Racecourse. Virginia now lives on a sheep and cropping property in Western Victoria with her husband. She has loved returning to the land and being surrounded and inspired by the animals, as she goes on her daily walks with the dogs. She believes that sheep, like people, have personalities, which she loves to capture on canvas with explosive colour. Last year Virginia and David visited South Africa which had a huge effect on her, as she fell in love with the animals, which took her art in a new direction. In her spare time, Virginia enjoys tennis, rowing, music, yoga, gardening, farming and family and the occasional live show in Melbourne. Virginia believes her Loreto Toorak education is one of the most valuable experiences of her life, with a high standard of education, values and wonderful friendships. She realises how fortunate and privileged she is for the wonderful opportunity which has brought such fantastic memories.
