Loreto Link Forums : Development Office : Loreto Kirribilli

The Award Winning Loreto Link program was established in August 2004. We are privileged to be able to draw on the amazing line-up of Loreto-linked talent as they generously present their side of the story from an outstanding depth of knowledge and breadth of experience. While our guests take the opportunity to network with friends, collect their peers and reconnect with old faces, the panellists continue to delight us with their wonderful stories and their passion for their careers!

The following account of each of our forums is testament to the quality of connections at Loreto.

2004:

Inaugural Forum “Women in the Media”

2005:

"Women in the Limelight"
"Working with a Social Conscience"
Supplementary movie night “Three Dollars” - highlighting the plight of the homeless and the work of Mission Australia
"Fashion Hype and Body Type"

2006:

"State of the Arts"
March 2006. The artistic theme got everybody talking and bookings were in high demand, with over 400 guests necessitating a change in venue to the Centenary Hall! Facilitator, current parent and ABC Arts presenter, Anne Maria Nicholson, expertly teased out the stories of current parents: singer/actor Anthony Warlow, and freelance producer of TV commercials, Jane (Griffin) Bridekirk (also an ex-student of Loreto Coorparoo); past parent: film director, writer and actor Rachel Ward and her daughter, ex-student Matilda Brown (LK 2004) who is currently studying film at Swinburne Campus of Victorian College of the Arts; as well as ex-student, actor and new mother of baby Jasper, Josephine Byrnes (LK 1984). This was a star studded evening that highlighted many home truths about the sheer hard work and determination that’s required for a fully satisfying career under lights or behind the camera.
"The Serious Business Behind Fun and Games"
August 2006. The audience was informed and entertained by the wisdom and experience surrounding the topic of careers in Sport. Channel Nine news & sport Journalist, current parent Tim Sheridan had clearly spent a great deal of time and effort in putting together the threads of the discussion and his "remote" interview (filmed while he was on duty at Wimbledon) with athlete Annabelle Smith (LK 2000) was enthralling. Tim was able to draw on the expertise of fellow parent and journalist, now Director of Media & Communications on the Australian Olympic Committee, Michael Tancred, to weave a night of sports magic and we are deeply grateful. Ex-student athlete & Youth Olympian Lizzie Jenkins (LK 2005) was due to fly out to to Beijing (via Brisbane) the next morning, but such are the challenges and pitfalls of her sport, poor Lizzie ended up on crutches at home with a stress fracture and we were all devastated to hear the news some days later. Lizzie’s mum and former State Athlete, Gabrielle Jenkins swallowed her stage fright to add a wonderful touch of humility and depth to the evening and we are delighted that so many students, parents, past parents and ex-students were present to take advantage of this unique discussion.
“A Marathon of Medical Minds”
October 2006. The 7th Loreto Link forum, a “Marathon of Medical Minds” was a great success and facilitator, Dr Elisabeth Murphy (LK 1973) did a splendid job of weaving the medical threads together between the stories of Professors Brian McCaughan and Carol Pollock, final year Med student Sally Eyers (LK 2000) and current parent, GP Dr Gillian Deakin (LK 1975). Their banter and ethical anecdotes were captivating and it was generally agreed that if ever they give up their “day job”, they could easily be employed as stand-up comics! Sydney University Medical Faculty’s 150th year celebrations were not forgotten, especially not by two of their older graduates, Sr Noni Mitchell ibvm (LK 1943) and Dr Monica Bullen, (LK 1936) who were applauded as special guests in the audience.

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