Olympian Elise Keeps up the Chase
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Spirit ST HILDA’S SCHOOL, GOLD COAST ST HILDA’S SCHOOL, GOLD COAST ST HILDA’S SCHOOL OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION September 2016 Volume 20 Issue 2 Olympian Elise keeps up the chase THE FACTS: Elise Kellond-Knight BPharmaceutSc 2007 St Hilda’s School Graduate Member of 2011 and 2015 FIFA World Cup All Stars teams Current Club: Turbine Potsdam, Germany Hello St Hilda’s and my fellow Old Girls! It has been a long time, nine However, despite everything Brazil threw at us, we showed courage, fight years in fact, since I left the safety of our school boundaries. and a sense of collectiveness. The Australian public were proud to observe In this time, I have been chasing my dream, which happens to be a the essence of strong character which the Matildas showed in that match combination of hexagons and pentagons sown together. when we were under constant challenge. I have now played 76 Senior A internationals for the Matildas – Australia’s Looking back, I can be thankful that I attended a school such as Women’s Football team and competed at the 2011 and 2015 FIFA World St Hilda’s. It taught me to be independent, to think for myself, to believe Cups held in Germany and Canada. in myself and most importantly, to remain focused and disciplined. Most recently, I competed in Brazil at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games for I have pursued my dream since leaving St Hilda’s and am so grateful for the Australian Women’s Football Olympic Team. Unfortunately, we lost our the life experiences it has given me. quarter final to the host nation in a penalty shoot out in front of a capacity I now live in Germany, playing football professionally in the Frauen crowd of 60,000. Bundesliga. The adjustment to living in Europe has been challenging but For me, this created a memory that will last a lifetime. The conditions on again the independence and strong character I developed at St Hilda’s has that night were fiery and hostile. The crowd vocally cheered against us enabled me to enjoy this adventurous life of football. like nothing I have experienced before. Nothing is ever out of reach. Life is what you make it, Our families in the stadium contended with a very passionate crowd at so make it worth living. close quarters; it was daunting to be in the minority. The atmosphere Elise Kellond-Knight made us feel we were up against the odds and weren’t deserving of progressing further in this tournament. Staying connected Old Girls at the University of Queensland – Women’s College, Brisbane. Pictured Left to Right: Genevieve Maurer (2014), Hannah Hori (2014), Kate Tobiano (2013), Ambrose Hartl (2015), Mrs Sally-Anne Atkinson, President of the Council of The Women’s College (Kerr 1959), Amy McIlwraith (2015), Peta Morton (2015) and Tegan Lerm (2015). Dr Julie Wilson Reynolds appointed 10th Principal On behalf of the Corporation of the Synod of the Diocese on the topic of Creativity in Leadership where she identified of Brisbane, I am delighted to announce the appointment the ways in which leadership, change and creativity of Dr Julie Wilson Reynolds as the 10th Principal of work together. St Hilda’s School. In addition to her Doctorate, she holds two Masters Dr Wilson will bring fresh ideas in a new era for girls’ degrees: one in Educational Leadership and another in education at our wonderful school. Literature and Language. The School Council is dedicated to supporting a strategic Dr Wilson will move to the Gold Coast with her husband direction, which not only builds a vibrant, world- David. Their children John and Stephanie have left the nest, class educational facility, but also promotes personal and Julie and David are looking forward to the next chapter achievement, self-confidence and strong Christian values of their life together. within a supportive learning environment. We are confident As a couple they enjoy contributing to the life of their local that Dr Wilson will be able to bring this vision to life. church and keeping fit through cycling and walking. Dr Wilson is currently the Deputy Headmistress and Head It will be wonderful to welcome them both to the St Hilda’s Dr Julie Wilson Reynolds, of Senior School at Abbotsleigh in Sydney. St Hilda’s School Principal, community starting January 2017. commencing in January 2017. Her area of teaching expertise is in English and History. As Professor Susan Brandis a life-long learner, Dr Wilson completed her PhD in 2015 Chairman of School Council St Hilda’s Foundation supports Legacy Ben Roberts-Smith, VC, MG, took time out to meet St Hilda’s students who volunteered to help raise funds at the Legacy Luncheon. More than 800 leading The St Hilda’s Foundation was especially pleased to co-host this event Queensland business people as Roberts-Smith is the son of St Hilda’s Old Girl Susan Roberts-Smith gathered to raise funds for (Holloway 1973) and retired Major General Len Roberts-Smith. Legacy at a major event co- St Hilda’s Senior Choir performed before the large audience at Jupiters hosted by Legacy Gold Coast, Gold Coast and School Captain Courtney Withers gave the welcoming Channel 7, the St Hilda’s address. The Legacy Luncheon raised almost $150,000 for Legacy and Foundation and the TSS is expected to become an annual event. Foundation on 9 September. St Hilda’s Deputy Principal Wendy Lauman, Year 10 students Kylie Vial and Alana Chesser, and St Hilda’s Guest speaker was Benjamin Foundation Board member and Old Girl Leeanne Roberts-Smith, VC, MG, retired St Hilda’s Foundation Race Day Cowley (Rix 1980). Australian Army soldier and a recipient of the Victoria Cross for Australia, the highest award in the Australian honours system. At the time, his Victoria Cross for Australia, together with his Medal for Gallantry awarded for actions during a tour of Afghanistan in 2006, made Roberts-Smith the most highly decorated member of the Australian Defence Force. In 2014, he was further honoured with the award of a Commendation for Distinguished Service for his leadership as a patrol commander during a 2012 tour of Afghanistan. Top, Left to Right, Ben Roberts-Smith’s contribution to Australia extends past his military Catherine Mills (1993), service: he is also the Chairman of the National Australia Day Council, Abigail Jackson, Casey Matigian, Marney Salmon, Deputy Chairman of the Prime Minister's Advisory Council for Veterans Suzanne Thomasson Mental Health, Patron of The White Cloud Foundation, Patron of The SAS Bottom, Left to Right: Associations' Wandering Warriors and a National Ambassador for Legacy. Angela Soutar, Leanne Gray (Dower 1986), Lou Holloway 2 President’s INVITATION TO OGA WEEKEND message All past students, from every Alumni Year, are invited to attend the OGA Reunion Weekend Claire Henkey on Friday 11 and Saturday 12 November 2016. Growing Connections through Key Weekend events include: Friday 11 November Social Media Combined Principal’s and OGA Cocktail With a core objective to grow connections With a passion for photography, Christine has Party which will between St Hilda’s School and its past students, captured some great images of the school and mark the retirement the OGA has embraced social media with has quickly gained 625+ followers. Don’t forget of Head of School extraordinary success. to follow us on Instagram if you aren’t already. Peter Crawley. As President it is such a pleasure to be interacting Another initiative we have introduced this year This community with past students through these channels and is the OGA Collective - an opportunity for Alumni Mrs Anne Crawley and event brings sharing such magnificent milestones in their to promote their businesses or run a stall at the Mr Peter Crawley. Old Girls, staff lives, some of which you will read more about St Hilda’s Fete to be held on 8 October 2016. and parents together for a night of in this edition. Old Girls have been signing up to participate in celebration and showcases the talents In just three short months since the launch of our the OGA Collective, at a special discounted site of Music and Hospitality students. LinkedIn page, we have connected with more space, to encourage collaboration, unification Jennifer Reeves Cafeteria from 5.30pm. than 540 Alumni. If you aren’t already linked to and promote the businesses in our network - us on LinkedIn, search for St Hilda's OGA to keep as well as valuable fundraising for the school. Saturday 12 November connected with the OGA and school. There are still spaces available, email 9.30am OGA General Meeting in the [email protected] for In the coming months, we will be launching an Bev Philben Room. Your attendance and more information. Alumni Group to encourage professional contribution will be most welcome. development and the opportunity to mentor If you weren’t already coming along, we would Morning tea will be served. St Hilda’s students. Many thanks to Liz Marshall love to see you at this year's OGA Cocktail 11am Walkabout Campus Tour starting (Wright 1994) who has been at the helm of Party which will also be a farewell for Mr Peter in Boarders’ Reception (enter via Gate 7 our Linked In launch and the mentoring events. Crawley, followed the next day by the OGA in Cougal Street). General Meeting and High Tea – hope you can In May this year, we also launched our Instagram make it! 12 noon OGA Reunion High Tea for all Year account – sthildasoga. A majority of the images Levels, especially the 40-Year Reunion are from another of our Committee Members Claire Henkey (Holtsbaum 1993) group (bookings essentials via Trybooking).