Welcome from Angela O’Dwyer Principal, Loreto Toorak
As Principal, and on behalf of the Loreto Mandeville Hall Toorak community, I am delighted to welcome you all to our School for Loreto Federation 2024. In this our School’s Centenary Year, as we look with gratitude to our past and hope for our future, this gathering of Australia wide, Loreto alumnae is particularly special.
The 2024 Federation theme of Environmental Justice reflects a core element of our shared Loreto educational values and philosophy. Concern for ‘justice, peace and integrity of creation’ is central to all we do as Mary Ward people and to our role as educators. It reflects the call of Pope Francis in Laudato Si, to ‘care for our common home’ which is taken up in each of the directional points on the Mary Ward Schools’ Compass.
As you meet in the grounds of our beautiful school, you will may notice recent student initiatives, underpinning our support for greater ecological awareness; the new bottle recycling bin (with funds received going to Mary Ward International Australia); the Rathfarnham Garden, with its busy worm farm; rooftop bee hives for harvesting our own honey; cafeteria waste recycled as pellets for garden fertilising; and new strategies to reduce waste and increase our installation of solar energy. Small steps, but ones we know will contribute to the care of our common home.
Sincere thanks to the Loreto Toorak Federation Planning Committee for preparing such an engaging program, which promises to challenge and enliven each one of us. We celebrate the wisdom of Mother Gonzaga Barry, who wrote to her students ‘leave after you something upon which others may build, and so rise higher still.” We hope the provocations, learnings and conversations of this weekend will do much to perpetuate her message.
Welcome from Rosannah Healy Chair, Loreto Federation
On behalf of the Federation Planning Committee, we warmly invite all past pupils and friends of Loreto to join us for Loreto Federation 2024 at Loreto Toorak in Melbourne. For our first Federation in nearly 6 years, we have chosen a topical theme of “Environmental Justice: People, Places and Our Shared Future”. Inspired by Laudato Si and the commitment of Loreto Sisters around the world to environmental justice, it is a theme which invites us all to explore the important link between social justice and the environment. This includes the disproportionate effects of climate change on developing nations and the actions we can take as individuals and communities to ensure a more sustainable future for all. We hope you will join us for a weekend of inspiring speakers, thoughtful discussions and meeting old and new Loreto friends.
Friday 11 October
Time Event
Program
18.45 Registration Opens Reception
19.00 Cocktail party and Official Welcome The Mansion Catering by Devour It
21.00 Event concludes
Saturday 12 October
Time Event Location Description
9.00 Registration Opens Tea and Coffee Reception
9.30 Conference Opens
9.4510.45
Session 1
Setting the scene: environment, justice and the opportunity for change
10.4511.15 Morning Tea
11.1512.15
12.1513.30
Session 2
Climate impacts on the ground: perspectives from Mary Ward International Australia and Loreto Sisters
Crescent Theatre Liz Courtney Documentary Film Maker
Interviewer: Michelle McCarty
Winifred Square Catering by Devour It
Crescent Theatre Hannah George Executive Officer, Mary Ward International Australia
Sarah Landro Camera Story Bianca Long Fashion Designer and Artist
Moderator: Prue Gilbert
Winifred Square Library Catering by Devour It
Crescent Theatre Fireside Chat followed by Q&A
Dr Monique Ryan, MP
Facilitator: Sarah Rey Partner, Justitia
Time Event Location Description
14.2015.15
Session 4
Reimagining Australia: building more sustainable communities
Crescent Theatre Panel session with moderator
Dr Clare Anderson
Global Director Sustainability Performance at Worley, chair of Net Zero at University of Sydney
Simone Carson Co founder of SecondBite
Moderator: Francesca Torcasio Barberis Past Youth Representative to IBVM – United Nations
15.1515.45 Afternoon tea Light refreshments
15.4517.00 Film screening: “Antarctica, The Giant Awakens” and introduction by director Liz Courtney
19.00 Federation Dinner
Mandeville Centre Lecture Theatre
Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club
489 Glenferrie Road, Kooyong
We welcome you for drinks on the terrace at 19:00 before dinner
Welcome by Emily Russell
Performance by Tabby Burge
22.30 Event finish
Sunday 13 October Time Event Location Description
9.009.30 Registration Tea and Coffee Reception
9.3010.15
Welcome and Session 5
Reflections on the conference: What can I do?
10.1510.30 150 years of Loreto in Australia
Winifred Square
Crescent Theatre Fireside Chat followed by Q&A
Victoria McKenzie-McHarg CEO, Women’s Environmental Leadership Australia
Moderator: Nicole Gibson
Crescent Theatre Sr Sandra Perrett ibvm
10.3011.00 AGM Library Chair: Rosannah Healy
11.0011.30 Morning tea
11.3012.30 Mass
12.3012.45 Future directions of the IBVM
12.4513.00 Wrap up
Winifred Square Catering by Devour It
Chapel of Chirst the King
Father Richard Leonard SJ Music by Mary O’Driscoll
Angela O’Dwyer Principal, Loreto Toorak
Rosannah Healy
Federation Committee Chair
13.00 Finish
Speakers
Dr Clare Anderson Group
Director
of Sustainability Performance for Worley
Clare is the Group Director of Sustainability Performance for Worley globally and is passionate about the decarbonization of the energy, chemical and resources industries. Clare is responsible for Worley’s internal sustainability program of work, embedding sustainability in the way Worley operates the business and delivers services to customers.
Clare is the current chair of the Industry Board for the Net Zero Initiative at the University of Sydney, is on the advisory panel for Net Zero Australia and is a member of the Expert Advisory Group for the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
Clare is a past pupil of Loreto Toorak.
Simone Carson
Co-founder of SecondBite, national food rescue and redistribution charity
Simone is Co-founder and Deputy Chair of SecondBite which she established with her husband Ian in 2005. It was during her years as an ICU Nurse, that Simone saw firsthand the struggle many families experienced to access fresh food, and she developed a deeper understanding of the link between healthy food and good physical and mental health. Her time at ICU also showed her that community can care for their own. Governments cannot solve all problems; it takes partnerships between individuals organisations and communities.
Simone and Ian share a lifelong commitment to End Waste and End Hunger. SecondBite exists because more than 5 million Australians are severely food insecure, which means that they often skip meals, have limited or uncertain access to quality nutritious food. Each year 7.6 billion kg of food is wasted in Australia, much of that food is edible. In 2024 Australia went backwards from one in five Australians experiencing food insecurity to one in three.
From 1 July 2024 an impactful merger of FareShare with SecondBite will commence, creating one organisation that will tackle food security and food waste through both prepared meals and fresh produce.
Simone is a past pupil of Loreto Toorak.
Liz Courtney Documentary Film Maker
Liz has written and directed over 55 documentaries and recently launched The Climate Library in London with the Science Photographic Library to encourage the creation of more messages on climate change, education, and awareness.
In 2015, Liz was awarded 100 Women of Influence for her role bringing youth together across the world for “Youth4Planet”, and in 2016 she was inducted into the Australian Business Women’s Hall of Fame. In 2018, Liz delivered her first TEDx talk on “lateral thinking for Climate Solutions”, and now sits on the boards for Women for Change, The National Foundation for Australian Women and Youth4Planet. In 2019, she cofounded The Sustainable Sports Program – a platform for youth engagement at a grassroots level to engage in sustainable solutions in their communities.
Liz has established Unboxed Media Group, producing and directing notable projects and working with leading scientists around the globe.
In 2019, Liz became The Artist in Residence for The Earth Observatory of Singapore at Nanyang Technological University. During her tenure, Liz has written and directed many award-winning programmes. All documentaries look at the impacts of a changing climate system on Geo Hazards and Ocean Dynamics in Asia and the research work being undertaken by the Earth Observatory of Singapore to help identify adaptive solutions to benefit future generations in the region.
Liz is a past pupil of Loreto Toorak.
Hannah George Chief Executive, Mary Ward International
Hannah has two decades of experience leading successful non-profit programs both domestically and internationally, with a focus on gender equity and women’s rights. She joined Mary Ward International Australia (MWIA) in 2020 after over ten years in leadership roles at Amnesty International Australia, primarily heading its international and women’s rights campaigns.
Hannah has extensive hands-on experience in international development and human rights, having lived and worked in the US, Southeast Asia and the Pacific, where she witnessed firsthand the impacts of climate change. She currently resides on the land of the Boon Wurrung people. As a passionate advocate for social justice and equity, both in Australia and overseas, Hannah considers climate change to be one of the greatest human rights challenges of our time.
Sarah Landro
Sarah Landro is co-founder of Camera Story, which works alongside Kimberley women developing practical photographic skills, collaborating on visual storytelling, and supporting enterprising opportunities for women and their families. Previously, Sarah worked closely with the Bollipunji Community in Jaflong, Bangladesh. Sarah is also the Special Projects Manager at the Perth Centre for Photography.
Bianca Long
Bianca Long, a proud Djaru woman from Halls Creek, Western Australia, is an accomplished Aboriginal artist and fashion designer. Now living in Wyndham, her fashion brand, Jaru Girl, is a testament to her deep connection to the land and cultural heritage. Through her work in Indigenous Australian art, Bianca honours her elders and celebrates the rich cultural history of her people, making it accessible to a wider audience. Mary Ward International helps provide Bianca with the resources needed to teach the women at the Piriwa Enterprise Hub, printing, upcycling clothing, and business and leadership skills.
Victoria McKenzie-McHarg
Victoria is the CEO of Women’s Environmental Leadership Australia (WELA), and has worked in climate and environmental leadership for the past 17yrs. Her former roles include Chair of the Climate Action Network Australia (CANA), Climate Campaign Manager of the Australian Conservation Foundation, and Manager of Strategy at Bank Australia.
WELA is an independent not-for-profit organisation that is empowering, supporting and funding diverse women’s leadership for our environment and climate, in order to transform Australia’s response to these crises.
Dr Monique Ryan MP Federal member for Kooyong
Dr Monique Ryan was elected to the federal seat of Kooyong in May 2022; the first woman and the first Independent to hold the seat. She was formerly Director of the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne Neurology Department, and a Professor of Medicine at Melbourne and Monash Universities. Dr Ryan is committed to action on climate change, integrity and transparency in government, evidence-based healthcare, and gender equity.
Monique is a past pupil of Loreto Toorak.
Sr Mary Wright IBVM
Sister Mary Wright ibvm was elected as the Leader of the Province of Australia and South East Asia in November 2023.
Sr Mary has a doctorate in canon law from St. Paul University, Ottawa, Canada and is well known both nationally and internationally as an educator, leader, canon lawyer and board member. She has extensive leadership experience within the Loreto network as past Principal of Loreto College Ballarat and Loreto Kirribilli and as Province Leader and Institute Leader of the Loreto Sisters. She has practised Church law in Australia and in Rome at the Vatican Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.
Sr Mary is a past pupil of Loreto Toorak.
Special Thanks
Special Thanks To
Ms Angela O’Dwyer, Principal Loreto Toorak
Mary Wright ibvm
Father Richard Leonard
Rosannah Healy, Chair Loreto Federation
Mary O’Driscoll
Damian Whelan
Tabitha Burge
Our presidents and delegates from interstate
Federation Speakers
Dr Clare Anderson
Simone Carson AM
Liz Courtney
Hannah George
Dr Monique Ryan MP
Sr Mary Wright ibvm
Sr Sandra Perrett ibvm
Moderators/Interviewers
Prue Gilbert
Francesca Torcasio Barberis
Sarah Rey
Michelle McCarty
Federation Committee
Emma Braun
Annabel Cornfoot
Megan Dwyer
Josephine Fagan
Nicole Gibson
Vanessa Groom
Amelia Grossi
Meghan Hester
Monique Ireland
Anna Johnson
Annabel Jones
Catherine Maimone Crowhurst
Louise McNamara
Liz Papapetrou
Judy Quin
Emily Russell
Kate Russell
Oriana Torcasio Barberis
Sponsorship
We are grateful to Erin-Marie O’Neill and Nine One Six for their kind donation of thank you gifts for our speakers.
