Bringing Old Girls Together

Connecting our Community

SCOGA social media is up and running on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. To stay up to date with SCOGA reunions and events, programs such as the Mentor and Mentee Programs, opportunities including our annual SCOGA Fellowships and general promotion of Old Girl success and stories you can find us on the platforms below:

Facebook: scoga.au

Instagram: @scoga.au

Instagram: @stcatherinesschool

Make sure you have added St Catherine’s School under education on your profile so you are listed as an Alumnae.

Bringing Old Girls Together

Over the past six months, SCOGA has been bustling with numerous successful events, evoking reminiscence, and laughter among attendees at Heyington Place. The Committee and Old Girl community have been actively involved, hosting various gatherings that fostered connections and camaraderie among the attendees.

Reunions have been particularly successful, reuniting old friends who shared fond memories of their time at School including our NYC and regional Victoria gatherings, gaining Old Girls from across the country. In addition to attending these events, we had Old Girls

speak at the Ruth Langley Luncheon and Mother’s Day Breakfast, which were a huge success. We also proudly supported St Catherine’s Prep students’ 100-days of School Assembly, presenting them with SCOGA commemorative bag tags to congratulate them.

The Committee's presence was felt at the official opening of the newly refurbished Sports Centre, witnessing the remarkable transformation of the area. SCOGA's generous contributions to the School's fundraising campaigns, including the $10,000 donation towards seats in the Sports Centre, reflect our commitment to supporting School initiatives.

Looking ahead, the SCOGA Mentor Program is set to return, with remarkable mentors already lined up for the Old Girls' community. As the year unfolds, SCOGA eagerly anticipates a bright rest of the year, thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Committee and the Old Girls' community.

SCOGA 2023 Committee

1993 Year Group – 30 Year Reunion

Fellowship 2023

The St Catherine’s Old Girls’ Association Fellowship was established in 2018 to strengthen the aim of SCOGA in supporting the professional development of Old Girls and to positively impact our community.

The Fellowship provides a financial contribution of up to $5,000 towards further study, a project and/or related travel in line with the purpose of the Fellowship. In 2022, the SCOGA Fellowship was awarded to Sports Physician, Dr Hilary Grover (‘10).

Hilary updates our community with how the Fellowship has assisted her professional development below.

“This year I am using my SCOGA Fellowship to attend two conferences focusing on Sports Medicine, athlete health and in particular supporting female athletes. One conference is the Female Athlete Conference and the other is the Australian College of Sports and Exercise Physicians Conference.

The Female Athlete Conference focused on women’s health regarding sport and exercise participation. We had world renowned speakers talk about mental health, contraceptive health, return to exercise from pregnancy and much more. The focus on mental health and the unique impact on our female athletes was a theme that I found particularly important. We must ensure that we are supporting our athletes holistically and not just focusing on their game day performance and physical output. This further highlights the importance of multidisciplinary teams to support our athletes and attending conferences such as this gives us exposure to a whole range of allied health professionals.

The next stage of my SCOGA Fellowship will be attending the Australian College of Sports and Exercise Physicians Conference in Wellington, New Zealand. This is an excellent opportunity to gain updates on Sports and Exercise Medicine that is particularly unique to Australian and New Zealand sports participants."

To learn more about the SCOGA Fellowship visit www.stcatherines.net.au/scoga

Dr Hilary Grover ('10) pictured with her Mother, Mrs Jane Grover

2024 EVENTS & REUNIONS

Leavers’ Panel

Monday 5 February

9.00am-10.00am

Sherren House Ballroom

Connecting Old Girs with current students to provide career and education support

Reunion Weekend

Born from the rescheduled reunions of 2020 and 2021, which received overwhelming praise, the SCOGA 2024 Reunion Weekend will bring together different Year Groups of Old Girls. Each Year level will have their own designated areas to reconnect. But the magic doesn't stop there, if you want to mingle across Year level groups, we've created common spaces. We are looking forward to another year of strengthening the bonds that tie us to 17 Heyington Place.

FRIDAY 1 MARCH

Class of 2019 – 5 Year Reunion

Class of 2014 – 10 Year Reunion

Class of 1999 – 25 Year Reunion

Class of 1994 – 30 Year Reunion

Class of 1979 – 45 Year Reunion

Class of 1974 – 50 Year Reunion

Tour 5.30pm | Reunion 6.00pm-8.00pm

Fountain (weather permitting)

Alternative indoor option available

60+ Reunion Luncheon

Tour 11.30am | Reunion 12.00pm-3.00pm

Sherren House Ballroom

SATURDAY 2 MARCH

Class of 2009 – 15 Year Reunion

Class of 2004 – 20 Year Reunion

Class of 1989 – 35 Year Reunion

Class of 1969 – 55 Year Reunion

Class of 1964 – 60 Year Reunion

Tour 5.30pm | Reunion 6.00pm-8.00pm

Fountain (weather permitting)

Alternative indoor option available

Boarders' Reunion Luncheon

Tour 11.30am | Reunion 12.00pm-3.00pm

Sherren House Ballroom Room

TOP 10 LESSONS WORKING IN BUSINESS

As a newcomer to the corporate world, tapping into our Old Girl network has proven invaluable, allowing me to gain insights and wisdom from the unique experiences of three remarkable Old Girls Christa Ray (Block ’03), Katrina Blair (Middleton ’90) and Anna Bathrick (Collicoat ’92), writes Miss Brooke Maat (’16).

Through conversations with these women, I gathered 10 valuable lessons for working in the business world. These lessons shed light on their triumphs, struggles, and the transformative power of determination and self-advocacy.

1. Be Your Own Advocate: To thrive in business, it's crucial to advocate for yourself. Recognise your worth and confidently communicate your value to the organisation. Aligning yourself with advocates within the company adds weight to your own advocacy.

2. Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledging and celebrating small victories creates a positive atmosphere of support and encouragement, fostering unity among team members and a shared belief in each other's capabilities.

3. Navigating Maternity Leave: The transition to maternity leave can be challenging, but increased support from businesses and colleagues has eased concerns. Finding support systems from employers, like parent support groups and return-to-work

programs, helps with the transition back to work. Although not everyone had access to these initiatives, these examples raised consistent themes around seeking out common experiences and networks that alleviated challenges faced during the transition back to work.

4. Building Networks and Gaining Diverse Experiences: Actively seek opportunities to meet new people and travel for work or secondments to gain diverse experiences and expand your professional network, enhancing your development and future opportunities.

5. Gender Equality, a Work in Progress: While gender equality remains an ongoing battle, women in business have experienced a shift towards a more inclusive and supportive environment. Although certain industries remain maledominated, women now have access to support networks and allies who can help them navigate challenges and overcome barriers.

Brooke Maat (‘16) Christa Ray (Block ’03) Katrina Blair (Middleton ’90) Anna Bathrick (Collicoat ’92)

6. Support other women: By lifting each other up through mentorship, advocating for equal opportunities, and offering support, women create a stronger and more inclusive environment where all can thrive.

7. Challenge Yourself: High-achieving women often seek diversity and variety in their work. They actively pursue new challenges and opportunities or explore alternative avenues for growth. Embracing change and continuous learning is key to staying engaged and fulfilled.

8. The Role of Education in Confidence and Voice: These accomplished women attribute their confidence and ability to voice opinions to their educational experiences. Schools provide a platform for developing a strong sense of self and cultivating the belief that their opinions matter.

9. Tackling Imposter Syndrome: Imposter syndrome is a common challenge that many women face. However, it is essential to embrace the unknown and be comfortable with discomfort. Recognise that it is okay to not have all the answers and focus on personal and professional growth by stepping outside your comfort zones.

10. Seizing Opportunities and Setting Boundaries: Approach each opportunity with an open mind and a willingness to take on new challenges. However, it's equally important to set clear boundaries and prioritise a healthy worklife balance. Establishing these boundaries fosters productivity and ensures overall wellbeing.

I extend my gratitude to these three Old Girls who graciously shared their time and experiences with me. This opportunity deepened my appreciation for the strong bonds and sense of community among us as St Catherine's Old Girls.

Miss Brooke Maat (‘16)

St Catherine’s Old Girls’ Association THE BULLETIN

To read the extended version of Brooke’s article visit www.stcatherines.net.au/blog/ top-10-lessons-working-inbusiness/

Christa Ray (Block ’03): Since graduating St Catherine’s in 1990, Christa has worked at PwC for 15 years and is currently a Partner in the Corporate Consulting team. Her primary role involves assisting clients in implementing intricate transformations and programs, emphasising the delivery of outcomes and value. Throughout Christa’s career, she has gained experience in various locations, including Melbourne, Perth, and London. Christa has also recently returned to Melbourne, where she resides with their husband and two young boys, aged 4 and 18 months.

Katrina Blair (Middleton ’90): After completing school in 1990, Katrina studied a Bachelor of Commerce at Monash University, majoring in Accounting. Katrina has worked in finance roles in a number of industries across Australia, Canada, and the UK. She is currently Chief Financial Officer at Tennis Australia. Katrina is married with two children, often splitting their time between Melbourne and their cattle farm in southwest Victoria.

Anna Bathrick (Collicoat ’92): After graduating school in 1992 Anna completed a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) / Bachelor of Business at RMIT University. Following this, Anna completed an internship at BP Australia Ltd which led to a 10-year career journey including bringing her to Chicago, where she has lived for the past 20 years. Anna joined PepsiCo in 2008 and has had a variety of commercial roles and is now the VPGM of Operations. Anna is married and has two children, two dogs and a cat.

NEXT ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The 103rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the St Catherine’s Old Girls’ Association (SCOGA)

10.00am Saturday

25 November 2023

Sherren House Ballroom

All Old Girls are welcome to attend in person or online. Any changes to AGM arrangements will be emailed to those registered to attend or available to view on the School website.

To attend online, please register with the Secretary at scoga@stcatherines.net.au.

Any member who would like to bring business before the AGM is required to give notice in writing to the Secretary no later than Saturday 28 October 2023.

RSVP by Friday 10 November 2023 to the Secretary: Prue Pisani (Gerritsen ’97) scoga@stcatherines.net.au

The Class of ’63 celebrated their 60th anniversary this year with a lunch in April hosted by Mrs Pamela Fortey (Rome ’63) at her home. It was a sit-down affair with beautiful food, champagne, wine, and lots of conversation. It was a wonderful occasion for catching up with the diverse group of personalities and talents who made up our class. Thanks to our Class Coordinator, Mrs Elizabeth Bostock (Carter ’63), for bringing us together again.

Mrs Lis Krien (Hooper

’63)

60 YEAR Reunion

MOTHER & DAUGHTER BREAKFAST

Dr Hilary Grover (’10) was a brilliant speaker at the Mother’s Day Breakfast. Her captivating presence and insightful words resonated deeply with everyone in the room, making the event a resounding success. Hilary's journey was not only inspiring but also incredibly relevant to every individual present. Her ability to connect with both current and past students was truly remarkable. Hilary effortlessly bridged the gap between generations, reminding us of the timeless values and traditions that unite us as part of the St Catherine's community. Her speech not only celebrated our shared experiences but also served as a testament to the lasting impact of our education. We are immensely grateful for her contribution and the inspiration she instilled in us all.

Ms Melissa Sweetland (’86)

USA REUNION

Reuniting in the Big Apple! Old Girls from across the USA gathered at Buddakan in New York for a much-anticipated reunion. The air was filled with excitement as these extraordinary women, separated by miles and years, came together for a lovely dinner. The night was spent reminiscing about shared experiences, transporting them back to the cherished moments they spent together at 17 Heyington Place. As the evening drew to a close, the Old Girls bid farewell with promises to stay connected and reunite again in the future. The reunion in New York reminded everyone of the power of friendship and the unique bond forged through their time together as Old Girls.

Ms Sarah O’Brien (’02)

2013 Year Group – 10 Year Reunion, Year Rep: Zoë Allatson and Nakita Wilson

1983 Year Group – 40 Year Reunion, Year Rep: Eliza Bellmaine (Edwards) 2008

Group – 15 Year Reunion, Year Rep: Olivia McKay

1993 Year Group – 30 Year Reunion, Year Rep: Joanna Chamberlain (Grant)

Reunion,

Reps: Christa Ray (Block), Laura Waters (Phillips-Waite) , Fiona Allen (Richardson)

Catherine’s