WOMENREMARKABLE

an audience with Jessica Rowe

– 2018 PROGRAM –

MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL MRS FRAN REDDAN

elcome to the 2018 Today, we continue to live and breathe At each biennial event, we induct a small Remarkable Women Series that ethos through our new Mission for number of ‘Remarkable Women’ into WGala Dinner. This year we 2018 to ‘empower our students to aspire our ‘Hall of Fame’; alumnae who have are honoured to welcome Australian to excellence, to make a difference and, been nominated by our community journalist, author, television presenter as enterprising global citizens, rise boldly in recognition of their exceptional and women’s rights and mental health to the opportunities of their times’. We contribution to their field of endeavour advocate, Jessica Rowe. believe it has never been a better time for in Australia and beyond. women to thrive and take their place as Since the first day of class in 1899 when role models and leaders in our society. Tonight, we are honoured to induct just five Mentone Girls took their place And in doing so, we should celebrate three very special, unique women. in history, to today’s thriving community their achievements along the way. of over 7,000 students and ‘Old Girls’, I thank you for your engagement and we have held fast to the philosophy of the We have a long history of pioneering support of our School and we hope you founding Simpson sisters, “to be bold, to women, and our Remarkable Women enjoy this wonderful evening. do one’s best and to never give in” and Series is designed to bring their stories Mrs Fran Reddan this year we are calling on our students to to life, to inspire our students and our Principal “believe, achieve and succeed”. community through their achievements.

GUEST PRESENTER JESSICA ROWE

s we celebrate the remarkable are not the perfect mother, wife or cook. women in our School community, With humour and honesty, Jess shares her Awe are delighted to welcome amusing misadventures with fans. Australian icon, Jessica Rowe, as our special guest speaker. Jess is a passionate advocate for mental health awareness, having herself Jessica Rowe is an accomplished journalist, experienced post-natal depression. television presenter and three-time Jess is an ambassador for beyondblue bestselling author. A co-host on Network and a patron of Mental Health Australia. Ten’s morning talk show Studio 10 until In 2015, Jess was honoured as a Member recently, Jess also writes a column Dear Jess of the Order of Australia for her every Sunday in Fairfax Media’s Sunday mental health advocacy work and her Life magazine and dailylife.com.au. contribution to Australian media.

A self-confessed ‘crap housewife’, Jess Jess is married to Nine News Sydney has gathered a strong and loyal following presenter Peter Overton and together with her #craphousewife movement, they have two daughters, Allegra (10) uniting and celebrating other mothers and Giselle (8). who, like Jess, sometimes feel like they

REMARKABLE WOMEN SERIES | 2018 INDUCTEES “I was fortunate that music teacher John Browning allowed me to conduct the school’s concert band, including some of my own compositions and arrangements. I have since offered similar experiences to my students.” CONDUCTOR, DIRECTOR AND LECTURER DR KATHLEEN McGUIRE [ 1982 ]

r Kathleen McGuire has carved she served as the Music Director at by survivor’s true stories of family an extraordinary career path St Aidan’s Episcopal Church in Boulder, violence. It was composed by Kathleen Din the music industry since Colorado (1996 – 2000) and Minister in collaboration with another MGGS commencing at Mentone Girls’ Grammar of Music at the Congregational Church Old Girl of renown: singer-songwriter on an academic scholarship in 1977 and of San Mateo in California (2011–2013). Christina Green (1981). leaving in 1982 as House Captain of “With its Anglican tradition and St Margaret’s, Dux of the School and the Christian principles, Mentone Girls’ “This highly personal work is about the inaugural recipient of Music Colours. Grammar influenced my motivation positive outcomes that can occur when for using music as a means for change – we stop making excuses. We don’t want Kathleen has enjoyed a career spanning for finding ways to help those in need.” excuses from people who are committing more than three decades in six countries. violence and we don’t want society or She has worked extensively as a conductor Living in San Francisco for 13 years victims to make excuses for those people. of orchestras and choirs, as well as ballet, (2000 – 2013), Kathleen directed the opera and musical theatre companies, 200-voice San Francisco Gay Men’s “Without exception, all the women including performances at the Sydney Chorus and the Community Women’s Christina and I interviewed in gathering Opera House, the Kennedy Center and Orchestra, and founded Singers of the stories for the songs wanted to Carnegie Hall. the Street- a choir for people at risk leave audiences with a message of of homelessness. She led a program hope, encouraging others to stand up She has earned multiple qualifications in that raised $500,000 for health service for themselves and share their stories,” conducting, composing and education, organisations and volunteered as a rider said Kathleen. including a Master of Music degree with and roadie in the AIDSLifecycle, which No Excuses! has been performed multiple Distinction at the University of Surrey raised millions of dollars. Recognising (UK) as a Rotary Ambassadorial Fellow, times since the premiere in November her contributions to the community, 2015, including performances in and Doctor of Musical Arts from the “Kathleen McGuire Day” was designated University of Colorado at Boulder. Brisbane, Bendigo and Traralgon, twice, by San Francisco mayors Gavin introduced by Rosie Batty at Melbourne Newsom (2010) and Ed Lee (2013). Kathleen started honing her conducting Recital Centre, and on ABC’s skills at the age of 15 at St Augustine’s After returning to Australia permanently program ‘Breaking the Cycle’. Further Church in Mentone and also at Mentone in 2013, she was residential Director of performances are planned in the United Girls’ Grammar. Music at Queen’s College – University States.In 2017, students at Mentone of Melbourne, co-directed the School Girls’ Grammar were fortunate to hear “I was fortunate that music teacher of Hard Knocks, and conducted Voices Kathleen’s post-school journey and her John Browning allowed me to conduct Without Borders – a choir of refugees. many achievements, challenges and the school’s concert band, including In 2014 she was the inaugural conductor aspirations since leaving. some of my own compositions and of the Hallelujah Gospel Choir, which arrangements. I have since offered similar “It was an enormous honour to speak at debuted at the Melbourne International experiences to my students. The music Mentone Girls’ Grammar’s assembly on Singers Festival, and in September 2016 program was fledgling when I arrived at the topic of Action for Impact and also she conducted one of her pieces, Street MGGS in 1977 and I’m proud to have to enjoy the choir’s lovely performance Requiem, at Carnegie Hall. Today, she been part of its growth as a student and of one of my compositions. My 12 years lectures in the Faculty of Education and then as a teacher in the early 1990s.” at the School as a student and a teacher Arts at Australian Catholic University and paved the way significantly for the years Since then, she has participated as directs the Tudor Choristers and the Star that were to follow in my career; being a church musician, leader and teacher Chorale. One of Kathleen’s most notable able to share my story with the students in schools and churches of multiple projects is No Excuses! – a choral suite for meant a great deal.” Christian denominations. For instance, women’s choir and instruments inspired

REMARKABLE WOMEN SERIES | 2018 INDUCTEES BARRISTER, LEGAL ADVOCATE AND TEACHER CHRISTINE MELIS [ 1998 ]

eventeen years after leaving No brief equals no work and no work A couple of years ago Christine also Mentone Girls’ Grammar, equals no money. But not only that, started teaching Trial Practice and SChristine Melis (1998) still finds the Bar is a place where day in day out Advocacy at Monash University. She herself reminiscing about her days you are on your feet addressing a judge, also taught advocacy in the Victorian at school. conferencing with clients who depend and NSW Bar Readers Course and was on your advice and preparing paper a teacher with the Australian Institute of Her memories flood back. “…sitting work to be filed with the Court. The Advocacy. “I loved the teaching but what in the sun in the Rose Garden; singing buck stops with you.” changed my life forever was teaching songs from Aladdin in choir; doing law students and lawyers in Papua New imitations from last night’s episode of One of Christine’s biggest matters Guinea and later Vanuatu with other the comedy show Full Frontal in the Year was the Victorian Bushfires Royal barristers from the Victorian Bar.” 12 centre; dressing up at House Athletics Commission as Junior Counsel for Carnival as one of the Jackson Five; and the State of Victoria. That brief led to When Christine first travelled to PNG leaving the classroom after my last VCE inquests on behalf of Victoria Police. in 2014 she was immediately drawn to exam. So many images and sounds. Christine also worked on a negligence learning more about the culture of this But what is loudest in my mind is the class action involving the spread of a society, its complex societal structures laughter – so much laughter.” herpes-like virus carried by abalone and the many barriers faced by women. across the Victorian Coastline and “I was inspired to think of ways the Christine studied Arts/Law at Monash another matter involving the escape of Victorian Bar could extend its advocacy University after leaving school where methane gas into a residential housing workshops to incorporate a program she made the most of the many estate. Christine also felt privileged to about empowering women to enter opportunities that were on offer. At have worked on the Royal Commission the law, stay in the law and progress to the young age of 23, Christine started into Institutional Child Sexual Abuse. having satisfying careers in the law. I saw working in a law firm. ” After a couple the program as a vehicle through which of years, Christine realised she wasn’t In 2014 Christine moved to Sydney and to increase the number of women in feeling as passionate for her work as she joined the NSW Bar, expanding her senior and leadership roles, on the bench previously had for her study at school practice of law to another jurisdiction. and in parliament and in tackling major and university. She was junior counsel for the issues affecting women and children, in Commissioner of NSW Police and all “It was at that moment that particular, domestic violence.” And she involved police officers in the Lindt Café I understood the importance of made it happen. siege inquest – Australia’s first terrorism taking risks and listening to my ‘gut’.” The program is called ‘Empowering Christine quit her job and accepted related coronial inquiry. The inquest spanned 2.5 years. At this time she also Women in the Law in PNG’ and is an Associateship with a Supreme the first of its kind. It gives women Court Judge. There she reinvigorated joined the panel of counsel representing asylum seekers in Nauru in their legal trainees the opportunity to her passion for Law and found the participate in a weekend of discussions mentorship she needed. During this legal bids to be recognised as genuine refugees. Her work in the Pacific region and presentations dedicated to time she was the Convenor of Victorian building confidence and empowering Women Lawyers. further expanded, taking on matters in the Solomon Islands. women entering the law. Topics range Christine made the decision to go to the from managing family and cultural Victorian Bar after her Associateship. During this time, Christine continued expectations with career and education her work with advancing women in the through to the role of women in “Going to the Bar was a scary thing. law, serving on the board of Australian fighting corruption. The program has You are running your own business. Women Lawyers for four years, subsequently led to the mentoring of You rely on solicitors to brief you. including as its Vice President. women legal trainees by members of

REMARKABLE WOMEN SERIES | 2018 INDUCTEES “I want to work on more initiatives around empowering women all over the world. I want to work on human rights cases both here and overseas.”

the Victorian Bar. For some women in PNG, it has been life changing. The program has successfully continued since its launch in 2015.

With this experience, Christine was invited to speak at the 2nd Conference of the South Pacific Lawyers in September 2015 on the topic of ‘Women in the Law in the Pacific’. Shortly after, she appeared on behalf of the Victorian Bar at a Senate Committee hearing on the delivery and effectiveness of Australia’s bilateral aid program in PNG. In December 2016 she was selected to participate in the Lowy Institute’s Australia – Papua New Guinea Emerging Leaders Dialogue. She remains a contributor to the Institute’s Aus-PNG Network.

Christine now looks towards all the other exciting ideas and projects she has planned for her future. She hopes to be admitted into practice in PNG.

“I want to work on more initiatives around empowering women all over the world. I want to work on human rights cases both here and overseas. I want to continue to teach advocacy both here and overseas. It can take a long time to find the vocation that gives you purpose and meaning. I’m excited that I have found it. Advocacy is my passion. I will use it to the best of my ability to make a meaningful change in people’s lives, social justice movements and the fight for gender equality all over the world.” TELEVISION REPORTER NEARY TY [ 2005 ]

eary Ty is a television reporter for few months was offered a casual role as a “It doesn’t matter where you come from the Nine Network and was the communications coordinator in 2013. or who you are, if you want something, first Asian Reporter to be hired go and get it.” N As a Communications Coordinator for for the Network in Melbourne. nine months before being promoted to She has covered countless stories After struggling to find her feet straight the News Library, Neary was responsible including most notably the recent Bourke after high school as she didn’t know for listening out for any breaking news Street tragedy. The alleged driver was what she wanted to do Neary eventually while keeping in touch with the MFB, bizarrely in Neary’s live cross that same chose to study a Bachelor of Media and Police and Ambulance media liaisons. morning when she was reporting on Communications majoring in Journalism It was a fast paced and intense job to a stabbing in Windsor on the Today at Deakin University. She then began find the news first and to relay accurate Show. Neary had no idea that same working in retail, and focused on her information to the Chief of Staff so they man who was seen waving his hat in passions and interests – writing and news. could dispatch reporters, cameramen the background would allegedly go on Neary grew up watching crime shows and and news helicopter. Proving her worth a murderous rampage later that day in was also intrigued in crime. in both roles Neary was then promoted the city. When the newsroom put two to Chief of Staff Assistant before being and two together Neary was called in to In 2010 Neary’s mother was seriously promoted again within a year to News report on the special coverage and give injured in a hit run crash in Oakleigh. Producer. As News Producer Neary her version of events in studio with Peter They never caught the driver. Neary and flourished with her nose for the news, Hitchener. Like most Melbournians, the her sister were interviewed for the Leader writing scripts, shortlisting stories and Bourke Street tragedy would have to be Newspapers. Neary met a journalist helping reporters on the road. She also one of the hardest stories for Neary. She named Emma and asked her to do work wrote late newsbreaks for Peter Hitchener has also covered the awful Wyndham experience at one of the offices. A few and voice-overs for all daytime and Lake case where a mother killed her three emails and weeks later, Neary started a 6pm bulletins. During this time Neary kids after driving in the water and also 2 week internship with the Moreland was sent out to do some reporting when Baby Sanaya was drowned by her Leader. Her journalism career started with occasionally and on the weekends before own mother in the Darebin Creek near the local newspaper, writing, researching, being offered a full time reporting role Northland Shopping Centre. Other conducting interviews and finding stories. in 2015 and becoming the first Asian stories Neary has covered include the Neary became a freelance property writer reporter at Nine News Melbourne. anniversary of Bung’s disappearance and a for various Leader Newspapers. scare on-board MH 128 after a passenger While the role of TV journalist is seen as a claimed to have a bomb and threatened Neary also undertook work experience at glamorous job by many Neary knows the to blow up the plane. It eventually Dolly Magazine and Cleo Magazine in reality is hard work, long days, sometimes returned safely to Melbourne. Sydney. With an interest in fashion and with no food or toilet breaks and gruelling beauty she always wanted to work for a when dealing with difficult stories. Despite the many sad stories Neary has magazine. However after spending two “Those who do it enjoy the chase and covered, there have been extremely happy weeks at both publishers, she realised it the people they meet. The job never and uplifting ones too. And it still amazes was too slow paced and wasn’t for her. She gets boring; whether it’s your colleagues her how many people out there want also did work experience at WIN TV in from other networks or the strangers you their stories told. Sometimes grieving Ballarat and then Nine News Melbourne meet everyday.” parents, or families who have lost loved in 2012. It was here where she fell in love ones open their doors and welcome news with the craft and people. After a week Reflecting back on her career so far crews in to pay tribute to their loved ones, of shadowing reporters Neary stayed in Neary says it’s all about hard work and as that is healing for them. Other times touch with the news director and after a determination. “Hard work does pay off.” it’s a door slammed in the face or abuse.

REMARKABLE WOMEN SERIES | 2018 INDUCTEES “It doesn’t matter where you come from or who you are, if you want something, go and get it.”

Neary says that’s probably the toughest part of the job… “the death doorknock.”

As a journalist, Neary has also learnt that among the doom and gloom in the world are incredible humans who are kind and help others in time of need. There is good among the evil.

Neary graduated from MGGS in 2005. Reflecting on her years there, she’s glad she went to an all girls’ school. It allowed her to try whatever she wanted to do without the pressure of being judged or be embarrassed by boys. Whether it was swimming, dancing or drama. MGGS has a great culture of encouragement and that it was cool to do homework at lunchtime. Neary really enjoyed her three years at MGGS, the culture helped build Neary’s confidence into a young determined woman who knew she could achieve anything if she put her mind to it.

REMARKABLE WOMEN HALL OF FAME

School Founders Head of School and Dean of Law SIMPSON SISTERS PROFESSOR SARAH DERRINGTON – 1899 – – 1984 –

Surgeon & Heath Care Pioneer International Tennis Star DR MARGARET McLORINAN NICOLE BRADTKE – 1901 – – 1987 –

Endurance Swimmer & Film Star Freelance Writer ANNETTE KELLERMAN RAKHEE GHELANI – 1902 – – 1990 –

Australian Media Icon Clinical & Forensic Psychologist DULCIE BOLING DR SARAH MILLER – 1949 – – 1992 –

Social Entrepreneur International Singer Songwriter JO CAVANAGH OAM ZOE BADWI – 1971 – – 1995 –

Photographic Artist Barrister, Legal Advocate & Teacher DR POLIXENI PAPAPETROU CHRISTINE MELIS – 1978 – – 1998 –

Conductor, Director & Lecturer Accelerator Physicist DR KATHLEEN McGUIRE DR SUZIE SHEEHY – 1982 – – 2001 –

Executive Management Consultant Television Reporter WENDY LEEGEL NEARY TY – 1983 – – 2005 –

REMARKABLE WOMEN SERIES | 2018 INDUCTEES We thank the following organisations for their generous support of our Remarkable Women event.

REMARKABLE WOMEN SERIES | 2018 INDUCTEES Mentone Girls. Remarkable Women.