LK Connect Industry Spirit in Action

LK Connect events continue to inform and engage our wider Loreto community of ex-students, current students, parents, past parents and friends. Our most recent evening, LK Connect: Industry Spirit in Action, highlighted the passion of our guest speakers within their industries, and displayed their ability to think outside perimeters to make a positive impact on society.

In the case of Mary Darwell, this passion was ignited in her days at Loreto with a visit from Mum Shirl, who worked in Redfern with Indigenous communities. Jessica Tancred shone in her role as facilitator, driving the conversation amongst our guests and providing interactive conversation and connection with their careers.

Each speaker independently highlighted their career paths, and yet each path was purpose-driven, with values instilled by their Loreto education. The mutual respect and value-driven partnership enjoyed by Rebecca and Madeleine was reinforced by their common bond of a Loreto kinship, and their ability to be honest with kindness. The formation of their company, Media Stockade, enabled them to explore the world with curiosity across a broad range of subjects, to reflect back to their audience and inspire others.

Our Loreto spirit was evident with our youngest alumnae, Tara and Ella, who continue to explore opportunities and take risks to achieve personal growth. We were delighted to celebrate the achievements of Tara as a young rowing Olympian, and someone to watch in the future. And when asked what the highlight of her Olympic dream in Tokyo was, she deflected from herself and responded, ‘Meeting Ash Barty’!

Ella is a product of our Mentor-Mentee connection who was encouraged to research and explore different paths to support her goal of working with Indigenous communities in Broome. LK Connect’s Zoom forums have been a positive upside to COVID. For us to profile future ex-students, please contact us either Debbie Henry or Antoinette Darin on lkconnect@loreto.nsw.edu.au.

Thank you to our LK Connect Industry Spirit in Action panellists: 

JESSICA TANCRED (‘05) - FACILITATOR 

Jessica is a communication expert with more than ten years’ experience as a radio and television reporter and producer, now  working in corporate communications.

TARA RIGNEY (‘17) is a Tokyo 2021 Olympian who competed in the women’s double-scull, coming 7th. Tara is currently studying Commerce at the University of Sydney.

MARY DARWELL (‘80) is a public sector leader and previous CEO of Sydney Harbour Federation Trust and Arts NSW.

ELLA WALBURN (’15) is a gallery and marketing assistant at the Short St Gallery, Broome, which features Aboriginal art sourced from remote Indigenous communities.

REBECCA BARRY ('91) & MADELEINE HETHERTON-MIAU (‘90) are the founders of Media Stockade. They are also producers and directors. Media Stockade’s aim is to facilitate impactful stories, share them with an audience and create measurable change.