ALUMNAE

A LIFE WELL BALANCED Nicky Long (Beesey, ‘89)

Nicky Long (Beesey, ‘89) grew up believing that women could do anything. After graduating from Ruyton as the School Sports Captain however, Nicky left School not knowing what she really wanted to do.

Nicky had a natural attraction towards health sciences, and this led to her studying a nursing degree, while working part-time at Georges. After completing her degree, Nicky applied for nursing graduate positions; however, there were limited places available and she was unable to secure a position. Nicky continued to work at Georges for a further two years and became the Sales Manager. When Georges closed, she was headhunted by David Jones to run their homewares department. It was at this time that David Jones encouraged her to apply for the Young Retailer of the Year Award.

After leaving David Jones, Nicky pursued a sales position at GlaxoSmithKline, a pharmaceutical company. Nicky quickly rose to become the Brand Manager in the marketing department. Nicky once again returned to university to solidify her knowledge and obtained a postgraduate degree in marketing.

After several years at GlaxoSmithKline, Nicky left and started her own business, Oliver & Coco. After selling the business, she was approached KATE NIXON We welcomed Kate Nixon, Alumnae Relations and Bequests recently returned from a sabbatical in Uzés, France where she had planned to live for a year with her daughter. Kate’s plans in Europe, and she returned to Melbourne after eight months. by CSL to work in a consultant role on Gardasil, the vaccine for cervical cancer.

While working at CSL, Nicky was asked to join the board of the Snowdome Foundation. Her work here ignited her passion for not for profit. In 2015, she learnt that the Riewoldt family had lost Maddie and wanted to start a foundation, and Snowdome collaborated with the family to launch Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision. Five months into its founding, and with $300,000 in funding raised, the position of CEO was advertised. Nicky applied and was appointed to the role. Five years later, they’ve raised nearly ten million dollars. Nicky was also a finalist in this year’s Telstra Business Women’s Award.

Nicky says that the essence of what she’s learnt is this: find good mentors, and actively seek them out. They can be older or younger, but always wiser. Don’t become rigid or habitual in your thinking. Maintain your network at every stage of your life, and be open to new ideas. Above all, Ruyton creates strong, capable women who can achieve anything, and can do it humbly. Nicky will start a new position in November 2020 as the CEO of Expression Australia, leading the deaf and hard of hearing community.

L-R: Nick Riewoldt, Darcy Vescio (Carlton AFLW player), Jane Bunn (Ch 7 Meteorologist), Nicky Long, the Hon. Jill Hennessy, Attorney General of Victoria. At Purple Ladies

Manager, in July 2020. Kate changed when COVID-19 spread Lunch focused on celebrating women’s achievements. ‘I am really excited about working at Ruyton. I am excited to get to know the wonderful alumnae, build strong relationships, connect with the School’s community, and work closely with the Old Ruytonians’ Association committee members.’ Prior to travelling to France, Kate worked in a similar role at another girls’ school in Melbourne and has a long career in sports administration at the Melbourne Racing Club and Tennis Australia.

ALUMNAE BABIES

Hannah Wilson (‘17)

A Melbourne-based singer-songwriter, Hannah recently launched her debut single in May 2020, Sweet & Sour, with an accompanying music video filmed at the Bakehouse Studios in Richmond. Hannah wrote Sweet & Sour: ‘About control in a relationship, where someone can turn something that seems so good and perfect, into the complete opposite … We have the power, the ego, and the control to let negative thoughts and emotions override opportunities for something good to happen in our lives. This song reflects just that, where control can turn something from “sweet to sour”’. In 2019, Hannah was chosen as one of 40 emerging artists in the Nando’s Music Exchange in London, and was mentored by Kwame and Nadia Rose. A regular performer in Melbourne, we congratulate Hannah on her extensive musical achievements.

Emily Kleinitz (Norris,‘09) and her husband Rory welcomed their first child, Floyd Angus, on 31 October 2019. Phoebe Cohen (Grimwade, ‘09) and her husband Lachlan welcomed their daughter, Sybil Catherine Jane, on 3 November 2019.

Tetyana Lawriwsky (’02) and Patrick Gregory are pleased to announce the arrival of their first child, William Michael Osyp, born on 25 March 2020. Patrick is also the older brother of Rosie Gregory (‘05).

Laura King (Westerman, ‘09) and her husband Matt are thrilled to announce the birth of their second child, Matilda Erin, on 17 June 2020. Matilda is a very welcome sister to Henry Jamison who was born in 2018. This is a second grandchild for Lynne Westerman (Colen, ‘77).

VALE

Margaret Andrewartha (Douglas, ‘55) passed away peacefully on 16 February this year, leaving behind her beloved husband Malcolm, and children Douglas and Fiona (‘87). Margaret was part of the Royal Visit Square of 1954, where school children did a mass formation on the MCG. She was House Probationer, Daniell representative for the Sports Committee, and President of the First Aid Club in 1954. Margaret remained active in the Ruyton community, and attended the Golden Girls and Boarder’s Reunions regularly.

Betty Huston (‘41) passed away on 25 June 2019. Betty was enrolled from 1938 to 1941. She acted in 1941 as the Senior Librarian, which was then run by students. Her sisters Shirley and Nedra Verity also attended Ruyton.

Helen Serpell (Holmes, ‘42) passed away on 1 January this year. Helen was enrolled from 1931 to 1942, and was active in the Ruyton community. Helen was a Prefect in 1942, and was also in the Library Committee, the Sports Committee, the Dramatic Club and the Ruyton Red Cross Squad, a fundraising group during WWII. Helen had three sisters – Margaret, Patricia and Judith – and all four girls attended Ruyton for their entire education.

We extend our deepest condolences to their families; we will forever remember them in our hearts.

SUPPORTING RUYTON FAMILY BUSINESSES We know many family businesses in the Ruyton community have and continue to be adversely affected by the difficult year that has unfolded. We have decided to establish a webpage dedicated to supporting Ruyton families, past and present, and their businesses. Having access to a site that can be viewed when looking for a service or product would enable members of our community to support each other. We anticipate that this webpage will be launched in 2021. If you would like to express an interest in advertising your business please email community@ruyton.vic.edu.au with the business name, type (groceries, retail, cleaning etc), location and contact details. If you have any questions, please contact Sally de Guingand, Director of Philanthropy and Engagement, on 9819 2422 or the above email.

STAY CONNECTED ON RUYTONORA RuytonORA is a private online network dedicated for Ruyton Alumnae. Introduced in 2019, alumnae have embraced connecting with past students of all year levels. Alumnae can use RuytonORA to: • stay in touch with former classmates • be informed about reunions and other event dates, details and photos • publicise events to the Ruyton Alumnae community • share and discuss online news of interest to other former students • explore employment opportunities – search for or post job and intern opportunities • offer your services as a Mentor to new Alumnae, or find a Mentor • contribute an article to a monthly newsletter on your post-Ruyton journey, telling us about your business or cause. Please send all enquiries to ora@ruyton.vic.edu.au Join now at www.ruytonora.com.au

ruyton girls’ school 12 Selbourne Road Kew 3101 Victoria Australia Tel 61 3 9819 2422 ruyton@ruyton.vic.edu.au www.ruyton.vic.edu.au CRICOS 00336J Printed on paper manufactured from 100% post consumer recycled paper and made Carbon Neutral.