Now that our Sesquicentenary Year is well and truly underway, it was wonderful to welcome past, present and future students, special guests, as well as past and present staff and parents to our inaugural International Women’s Day Breakfast on Friday 6 March.

As we continue to celebrate 150 years since the Sisters of Mercy arrived in Bendigo, it was fitting to highlight the amazing achievements of many of our past students by bringing together an eclectic panel of successful and remarkable women. It was also significant to remember the leadership of generations of women who have passed through the College and gone on to contribute to many areas of community and professional life.

The panel discussion, moderated by Grace Aicken (Class of 2015), highlighted different pathways in leadership and service. With her background in journalism and media, Grace perfectly led an entertaining and engaging insight into the varied ways women continue to influence local communities, workplaces and broader society. The sincere, relatable stories of the panel made us laugh and cry, and filled us with inspiration.

Cr Andrea Metcalf (Class of 1977), Justine Sharkey Minne (1993), Leila Gurruwiwi (2005), and Abbey Milligan (2018) each shared unique perspectives on how their school experiences have influenced their careers. Despite their different lives, common themes emerged: overcoming self-doubt, finding the courage to navigate male-dominated environments, and staying true to their core values.

The panellists also highlighted certain teachers who had played a significant role in their personal and professional journeys: promoting confidence, igniting a spark of interest in a subject or being a positive female role model.

Throughout the event, there was a warm and enthusiastic atmosphere in the St Mary’s Hall, which was beautifully set up for the occasion, evoking memories of days past when the Hall was a focal point of the school.

Thank you to all who played a part in making this event so successful, including the wonderful audience and especially our amazing panellists who gave their time and their hearts so generously.

The next major event on the Sesquicentenary Calendar will be the ‘Back To’ on 2 May. Meanwhile, expressions of interest are still open for the Jubilee Community Art Show and the Performance Gala.

CLICK HERE for more information.

International Women's Day Sesquicentenary Breakfast