Supporting female education

Supporting

female education

Kimberley Middlemis presents the inaugural Adrians Business Scholarship to Harriet Warby (Year 12) at the 2020 Speech Night

This year, St Margaret’s welcomed its first cornerstone corporate supporter – chartered accountancy firm Adrians. Adrians has a strong St Margaret’s connection with its Managing Partner, Kimberley Middlemis (‘93), being a proud Old Girl. Adrians is passionate about female education and, through a scholarship and work experience program, wants to help empower the next generation of female business leaders. Established in 1948, Adrians now ranks as one of Australia’s leading Advisory, Tax and Wealth Management firms. Over this long history the firm has specialised in providing tailored advice to generations of successful businesses and individuals. Visit adriansca.com.au to learn more. The Flyer asked Kimberley about her connection to St Margaret’s and own career journey.

What was your time like at St Margaret’s? What did you enjoy while you were here and what did you take away from the school?

In my seven years at St Margaret’s, the school actively encouraged leadership and community. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the school where friendships were made that have lasted through the decades. The support from the teaching staff, the nurturing environment and strong community provided an important launching pad for me as an individual. I took advantage of the wide range of activities available to students, (academic, sporting, arts, community) and, through various roles I held, I gained invaluable confidence. This confidence and ‘rounding-out’ as an individual has held me in great stead throughout my career, and life more broadly. I believe this confidence St Margaret’s gave me is my most valuable take away.

Have you stayed in touch with the St Margaret’s Old Girl network since leaving school?

I am currently a member of the Old Girls’ Association Committee and have a strong network of ‘Old Girls’ who I class as my closest friends. We continue to support each other through life’s many highs and lows. We regularly catch up and now many of us have daughters attending St Margaret’s as well. We know that we can always rely on each other. On the business front, where possible, we support each other and tap into the network where appropriate. I do though believe on the business front the Old Girl Network could be so much stronger. St Margaret’s Old Girls have done some pretty amazing things across a range of fields and I think we could tighten the network even more. Most importantly, I believe we need to put some structure around how we tap into the Old Girl network to help current students, or recent graduates, with mentoring, guidance, and, where possible, work experience or placements. Often just getting a start is the hardest thing. That is what we are doing at Adrians – we are always looking for high quality graduate accountants and advisers, so where possible, I would like them to be St Margaret’s Old Girls!

What has been your own career path since leaving school?

Since leaving school, I started as an undergraduate accountant in 1994 in a public accounting firm. Twenty-six years later, I am still in public practice and was recently appointed Managing Partner at Adrians. I am passionate about business advisory for family businesses as effective advice can create a material difference to businesses and families. Adrians was established in 1948 now has 40 staff and has evolved so much over the years. We now also offer Investment Management and Financial Planning, so in recent years building an integrated firm has been a challenging career development, though it’s been very well received by clients.

Why did you choose to send your daughter here and how has her experience been?

I wanted Abigail to have a similar experience as myself in an environment that holds strong community values, assists students to strive for academic results while balancing a strong sporting and arts culture. Miss Dyason might not be there to make Abigail walk up the stairs of Eton Hall with a bible on her head, but I feel confident that the school will help prepare Abigail for the world post Year 12. Abigail started in Prep nearly six years ago and she loves the school. There is such a diverse range of activities for the girls to participate in and so many opportunities to thrive. With the amazing support from the primary school teachers, my husband and I have seen Abigail grow from a shy little Preppie to a confident Year 5 student.

Why have you chosen to give back to the school in the form of this corporate sponsorship?

St Margaret’s provided me with a head start after Year 12 and, as the school continues to grow, I believe the Old Girl community can play a role to ensure that St Margaret’s remains one of the best girls schools in Queensland.

Would you urge others to consider the same?

Yes absolutely. I have a son at a private boys school and the difference between the corporate and personal support offered to boys schools compared to girls schools has really surprised (and disappointed) me. Adrians has chosen to support the school because we do not believe female education should suffer because families have traditionally supported the institution where dad went to school! There is an amazing network of businesses owned and run by Old Girls or by parents of St Margaret’s girls and I would implore them to also consider supporting female education.