Volume 25 / Number 1 / Winter 2009 / Contents CHAIR Notes PRINCIPAL Points
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Together THE JOURNAL OF THE Women’s college WITHIN THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY volume 25 / number 1 / winter 2009 / contents CHAIR notes PRINCIPAL points 2 Chair notes & Principal points hen were you last aking on the role of principal inspired? As Chair of The of this illustrious institution 3 WATSA matters Women’s College Council has been exciting and 3 Mentoring spotlight W I am regularly reminded T challenging. Many aspects 4 Louisa Macdonald Oration that our College provides continual of the position are familiar to me – opportunities to be inspired, and I’m sure assisting the transition of students into 4 Alumnae honours our students and alumnae relish these the academy, enabling senior students to 6 Profile: Nhi-Y Pham moments of inspiration as much as I do. connect with the professional world and The recent Louisa Macdonald Oration providing a sympathetic hearing when 6 Fresher Revue was a superb example – an inspiring the going gets tough – but The Women’s 7 Main renovations oration from alumna Jane Diplock, College has given me new perspectives 7 Gillian Dunlop portraits Chairman of the New Zealand Securities on these activities. Commission and Executive Committee It has also opened up new worlds for 8 Music scholarships awarded of the International Organisation of me. As an academic one step removed Securities Commissions. 9 2009 freshers from the academic world, I am connected 10 Alumnae President’s news Later that evening we were inspired to the students and their studies but by the achievements of alumnae distanced from their classrooms and 10 Writers’ Festival whom we honoured with our second curricula. On the other hand, through 11 Best friends: Pat Milthorpe biennial alumnae awards. The continual The Women’s College I am intimately and Helen Brown achievements of our students across connected to the everyday lives of a 12 Vale academic, cultural and sporting activities, group of extraordinary young women in the difference they make to others in ways that give me deeper insights into 14 Staying connected: so many ways – this generation is truly students’ learning and social needs. news from our alumnae inspiring. There is also the reciprocal Similarly, the connections I have made 15 Women’s Education inspiration which occurs between mentor with parents, alumnae and friends of and mentee, which can be so vital to the The Women’s College have enabled me Worldwide Conference future professional life of our students. to appreciate more fully the richness of 16 Events calendar College life and the myriad ways (some If you haven’t been back to The Women’s intangible) in which our community College lately, or even if you have, I’d like contributes to the success of our to offer you an open invitation to come students. No doubt I will continue to learn back, even for just one event, and see if and be amazed by the achievements of you can be inspired or inspire others. The our residents. benefits of being part of an inspirational community are freely available and Like The Women’s College, this journal tangible for all involved. has recently acquired a new face. It seemed an opportune moment to rethink Lucinda Warren its design and readability. I hope you Chair, The Women’s College Council approve. Please feel free to let us know what you think. Jane Williamson Principal, The Women’s College 2 / The Journal of The Women’s College / Mentoring WATSA spotlight matters Launched in 2008, The Women’s The Women’s College College’s mentoring program has gone Aboriginal and Torres from strength Strait Islander Alliance to strength. (WATSA) has gained This year almost 60 students momentum (and requested a mentor in the field they hope to enter after graduating. funds), as the group Each of these students, in third year or above, has been matched works towards two with a professional mentor drawn largely from the College’s diverse important outreach alumnae body. trips planned for the We have mentors in law and medicine, nutrition and food winter break. technology, foreign affairs and international aid, a large public art gallery, a boutique private gallery, public relations and publishing, journalism, television production, human resources, management WATSA President, consulting, and a whole lot more. third-year arts student Jessie Kelly It’s a testament to The Women’s College that its alumnae and friends are more than willing to support our students in this way. n 7 April 2009 the College to manage the bureaucracy of getting to It is hoped that these mentoring hosted a fundraising breakfast university, life in Sydney, and life at The relationships enable students to which raised almost $10,000. Women’s College. make the most of their capabilities Former Women’s College O WATSA President Jessie Kelly hopes the and potential as they enter their student Dr Marlene KONG (1991–94) chosen professions. addressed 150 guests on the state of camp will cement the idea in the girls’ minds Indigenous health and the vital importance of coming to the University of Sydney and of education in redressing a critical living at The Women’s College. “There’s a lot If you are interested in becoming imbalance in Aboriginal communities – of talent and ability in these communities – if a mentor to one of our students, sentiments WATSA strongly supports. we can support some of these girls to come please contact Vice Principal to our College it would set them up to run Dr Tiffany Donnelly by email: Students on the outreach trips, covering the world! The range of interaction we have [email protected] Dubbo, Burke, Brewarrina and Walgett, and here broadens one’s scope of understanding or by phone: 02 9517 5005. a second visit to Cape York, Lockhart River in a way that I’ve never seen elsewhere.” and Cairns, will work with communities to seek out potential young women leaders to If you’d like to contribute your skills or make attend a fully funded week-long leadership a donation towards the WATSA project, camp to be held at The Women’s College please contact Jacinta Walpole by email: in August. The focus of the camp will be [email protected] ‘Pathways to Uni’ – encompassing ways or by phone: 02 9517 5008. / The Journal of The Women’s College / 3 Louisa’s legacy The fifth Louisa Macdonald Oration was presented on 29 May by Jane Diplock AO, on the subject of women’s achievements and potential in the global arena. The oration is held biennially to honour The Women’s College’s founding principal. s Diplock spoke about a ALUMNA AWARD number of outstanding Alumnae honours Two alumnae were given special awards, women associated with the Ms Vicki Brooke (MONKTON) and several others honoured at the Louisa College who have been an BA(Hons) GradDipArtsMgt M Macdonald Oration Dinner. Dr Janet Occupation: Business owner, inspiration in her own career, including the McCredie and Ms Cassandra Kelly were Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC, museum and arts consultant given alumnae awards in the open and NSW Governor Marie Bashir AC, CVO, Years at The Women’s College: 1962–65 young alumna categories respectively, medical trailblazer Janet McCredie, Recent awards: Life Membership of in recognition of their achievements and scientists Anne Green and Climate Action Newcastle, Inc. (2009) and service to their professions and Elizabeth Dennis. in recognition of her “unwavering efforts the community. to advance the climate movement locally “They had the imagination to perceive their This was only the second time these through the formation of Climate Action work in a global setting, to pursue it across awards have been bestowed; the first were Newcastle” international borders, to go to work in the presented to Her Excellency Professor world, rather than merely in one small Dr Janet McCREDIE AM Marie Bashir and Sally Auld at the Louisa corner of it” she said. “These women have MBBS MD DMRD FRCR FRANZCR Macdonald Oration Dinner in 2007. This seen themselves – and expected others to Occupation: Diagnostic radiologist and year a special posthumous award was see them – as global citizens.” medical researcher given to Anna Donald. Years at The Women’s College: 1953–55, Ms Diplock’s own career has a similarly Out-student 1957–58, Senior Student 1956 stellar profile. In 2001 she was appointed The nominees Recent awards: AM (1994), Life Member Chairman of the New Zealand Securities of Faculty of Medicine, University of Commission, and she also chairs the YOUNG ALUMNA AWARD Sydney (1996), Fellow of the University Executive Committee of the International Mrs Cassandra KELLY of Sydney (2008) Organisation of Securities Commissions, BEc(Hons) an organisation whose 109 jurisdictions Ms Caroline PIDCOCK Occupation: Founder and CEO of Pottinger regulate more than 95 per cent of the BSc(Arch) Arch(Hons) Years at The Women’s College: 1991–96 world’s capital markets. Occupation: Architect, business owner, Recent awards: Winner Australian Business director Award for Recommended Employer (2007, Years at The Women’s College: 1982–83 2008), nominated for 2009 Recent awards: Winner Small Commercial Ms Sally MITCHELL Sustainability Award for Resource 88, BEng(Chemical)(Hons) BCom Building Product News & Environ Products Occupation: General Manager, and Services (2008); Winner Blacket Global Markets and Group Treasury IT, Award for Shellharbour Workers’ Club Commonwealth Bank (in association with Richard Goodwin Years at The Women’s College: 1993–96 Architects) Royal Australian Institute Recent awards: Premium Financial of Architects NSW Chapter (2004) Services – Midas Award (Commonwealth Bank) Oration4 / The Journal of The Women’s College / Clockwise from top left: Young alumna award winner Cassandra KELLY (1991–96) with Phillipa Kelly; 2007 young alumna recipient Sally AULD (1990–93) with fifth-year arts/law student Kristy Kennedy; recent and current students (left to right) Fiona WALTER (2004–07), Jacqueline MARTIN (2005–07), Edwina Tidmarsh, Erin Holland and Harriet Dixon-Smith; Jane DIPLOCK (1968–69 and 1975–77) and Phillip Meyer; past senior students (front) Jane OAKESHOTT (1979–83), Jane Diplock AO, Mary Walker (GHANTOUS 1975–78), (behind) Lucinda WARREN (1984–86), Elizabeth ELLIOTT AM (1975–78), Judy Anne EDWARDS (1982–85) and Carolyn GAVEL (1984–88).