Toorak Collegians Social Justice Extends Overseas

Two inspiring Collegians are on a quest to make a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable women, children, and communities around the world.

Kate Cosman (TC’15)

Post graduation, Kate headed off to Monash University where she is currently studying a double degree in Biomedical Science and Mechanical Engineering (Honours). To compliment her studies, earlier this year, Kate completed a four-week program in Bali as part of an internship with company Development Together.

Along with five other female engineering students from Australia, Kate studied at the Bali Appropriate Technology Institute (BATI), to learn about simple yet life changing technologies like water filtration systems, water tanks and pumps to deliver water uphill. Kate’s training also considered the affordability and availability of raw materials and electricity in the developing world, and the importance of training locals in the maintenance of new installations.

As part of the program, Kate and her peers travelled to Amed in the east of Bali, where they based themselves for three weeks. Each day, they travelled up the side of Mount Agung (an active volcano!) to a village of 14,000 people called Datah where they were involved in four projects: three water filtration systems at a primary school, high school and the chief’s house, as well as a water tank in a very isolated community only 4km from the crater of the volcano. They worked with local masons for the construction, educating them on appropriate cement ratios and building techniques and ran education sessions for the local school children and community members on the correct use and importance of the new filtration systems.

Kate notes, “it was really inspiring to be part of a female group embarking on this project, and to show the community in Datah that a group of women can make a really big difference in a community. We had many questions from locals to the effect of ‘where are the men?’ and faced challenging assumptions that we were incapable of completing some tasks without male assistance. We still have a long way to go in terms of gender equality, especially in engineering, but I like to think that each of these challenges leads to a bit more acceptance.”

Mayrose Rolley (TC’13)

After graduating from Toorak College, Mayrose studied a double degree of Law and Global Studies. It was not until her final year at university that she came across the study of Criminal Law, and was “hit hard” upon researching Crimes Against Humanity and forced marriage. Becoming overwhelmed by the vast number of injustices in the world was the catalyst for Mayrose to travel to Gulu, Uganda to volunteer as a lawyer with International Justice Mission, an organisation dedicated to protecting vulnerable women and children from violence and oppression. Mayrose's desire has been to use her knowledge of the law to help and equip some of the most vulnerable members of society – in this case women and children in situations of domestic violence, prosecuting their abusers, protecting and rehabilitating victims.

Reflecting on her decision to enter into this field, Mayrose notes, “I have always been passionate about helping others, it's the reason I chose to study law in the first place - not for the money, but for the opportunity to use my knowledge to stand up, educate and equip the most vulnerable people in society. To be a voice for the voiceless, to bring hope to those without, to help and to love.”