Celebrating…In 2009, we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the naming of Mary under the title "Our Lady of the Sacred Heart". This anniversary is a wonderful opportunity to revisit our shared history. It was Jules Chevalier msc, who founded the religious orders of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart and the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. His vision was that all peoples would come to know how much they were loved by the Heart of God – a love that was without limits. The mission of these two Congregations and all who live their spirit – a spirituality of the heart – is that the Heart of Jesus may be known and loved everywhere. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College, Bentleigh, came into existence primarily because of this vision of Fr Jules Chevalier. We are members of the Chevalier family.

The website of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (www.misacor.org) gives us some insight into the title of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. “To understand this title, given to Mary in 1859, one should read the text of the title from right to left. The important part of this title is the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He is the centre. Mary is the mother who offers him to us, who desires that we enter into union with him, who longs to form us as she formed her Son Jesus, so that humanity may discover the tenderness, compassion, mercy, strength, power, fidelity and constancy of the love of God revealed in God’s Son.” May we grow in our appreciation of our story – the Chevalier story. In the spirit of Jules Chevalier may we claim with one voice: Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Pray for Us!Anne O’Loughlin, College Principal

December 2009 Vol.1 No.2ISSN 1837-5316

Newsletter of the Alumnae Association of the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College, Bentleigh

Achievements at a Glance

Continued on page 7…

In its 71st year, OLSH continues its strong traditions of achievement both within the curriculum and in a wide variety of extra-curricular activities. In 2009, these were some of OLSH’s successes:• Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL)

students’ financial literacy project won the state VCAL Senior Achievement Team Award for 2008

• The inaugural Performing Arts Spectacular was launched to mark the Feast of the Sacred Heart with a house competition won by Hartzer

• Year 10 students won the Barry Jones Debating Cup for the first time

• Chriselle D’Souza (Yr 11) was awarded the 2009 Rotary Youth Citizen of the Year for Glen Eira

• Our students came third in the grand final of the Raw Rock Eisteddfod at Hisense Arena

• More than 120 students, staff and parents participated in St Vinnies community service outreach

• OLSH Singers choral group had their first experience of performing in the Australian National Choral Association Schools Choral Festival

• Girls participated in a wide range of group sporting endeavours outside school hours in fields as diverse as netball, badminton, volleyball, football and cheerleading

Julie Perrin

What a wonderful response to the first edition of the alumnae newsletter. Thanks for all the great letters and emails, and also for the offers to make donations towards the cost of printing and postage. All contributions welcome.A selection of your comments appears on the next page. For those who requested email versions of the newsletter can I just say that sustainability is certainly a consideration. That’s why this newsletter is printed on recycled and plantation paper and the plastic wrapper is biodegradable. However, we are not yet set up where we can selectively email the newsletter. But be assured, that is on the agenda.With this second edition, your publication is really beginning to take shape. For a start, we have a title, Flame. And we are developing some regular features:• Principal ’s Column on the front page• From the Alumnae Secretary on page 2

with space for your letters and feedback• Flame Girls with stories of the

different paths various women have taken since graduating

• Family Matters which profiles a cluster of alumnae all from the same family group

• Alumnae News for updates on weddings, births and also, sadly, of deaths

• Reunions (self explanatory)• Did You Know? for odd spot items

about the CollegeI hope you enjoy this current edition of Flame. There is already a lot of copy in hand for the third edition due out around April 2010, so if you have anything you think should really go in the next edition, please contact me soon.All the best for a blessed Christmas and a happy New Year.Shane O’NeilAlumnae Secretary

From theAlumnae Secretary Flame & the College Crest

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Of all the names suggested in the last edition as the title for the alumnae newsletter, Flame was the most popular. This was in addition to a couple of new ideas such as Reconnections and Heartbeat (already taken).So Flame it is, signifying not only the Sacred Heart of our College crest, but also the love, compassion and energy of the OLSH spirit.

The College CrestThe College crest unites in symbolic form the origins, aims and spirit of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College. The dominant feature - a heart, placed centrally - signifies God’s love revealed in his Son, Jesus; the cross surmounting the heart is a reminder of the depth of his love.The motif is framed by the Latin initials for Our Lady (Domina Nostra). The relative position of the heart and letters recalls the Incarnation: God became man in the womb of Mary. It shows her close union with Jesus in his plan of salvation and indicates her role in bringing his love to us, and in leading us to respond to that love. Finally, it inspires us to pray to the Mother of Jesus for all our needs and gives us the confident expectation that through her powerful intercession, our prayers will be heard.The Latin motto - Regnet Christus - means ‘May Christ Reign’. It expresses the ultimate aim that in all daily actions, the love of God, brought to us in Jesus, will be the motivating force in our lives. In living by this love, and in helping others to know and love Him, we bring into our world the love, joy, peace and justice which Christ came to earth to give. We are called to be on earth the Heart of Christ.

It’s your choice. If for any reason you do not wish to continue receiving this newsletter, please tick the “unsubscribe” box on the address flysheet and return it to the College. Your name will then be deleted from the mailing list.

I love the idea of alumnae. Just last week Catherine D’Cruz and I were recalling our 10 year reunion a few years ago and commenting on how surprisingly amazing the connections we felt were. I’d forgotten how these people had been such a huge part of my life and was so excited to see what everyone was up to. Leisl LaPersonne, 1995

I received the first alumnae newsletter via

my mother, thank you. It was really fun to

receive a link from the past.

Andrea Whiteside, 1988Thank you so much for the newsletter.Patricia (Tynan) Frewen, 1954

It was really nice to read about the

College and I enjoyed trying to find

faces I recognised in all the photos.

Melanie (Rooth) Briggs, 1997

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Gerardine (McNamara) Wonnacott, 1963, wrote:I was thrilled to receive a copy of the first newsletter today. I was in the Matriculation class of 1963...one of four that year and have many great memories of the College. On recent visits, I have been on a tour and what an impressive school it has grown into over the past years. I would have loved the opportunity to send my daughters to OLSH but living in Canada made that impossible.With the assistance of her Melbourne-based sister, Helen McNamara, Gerrie has donated towards the cost of receiving her alumnae newsletter. Karin (Commins) Abrams, 1976, who lives in New South Wales, has also made a donation.We thank both Gerrie and Karin for their generosity. All contributions, large or small, help.If you would like to make a donation in any way towards the work of the Alumnae Association, please contact Shane O’Neil, Alumnae Secretary (details on the back page).

Thank youFeedback

The class of 1963: (L-R) Maureen Harris, Gerardine McNamara, Beverley Smith and Suzanne Van Prooyen. The girls had private classes for some subjects. As Gerrie was the only one who needed physics as a prerequisite for physiotherapy, Sr Maria taught her in a class of one.

Great to hear from OLSH after

so many years!!!

Ulricka ( Jaulimsing) Pepper, 1991

It was certainly a pleasant surprise.Connie Mah, 1996

It really was a joy to read and it was set out so professionally and inspirationally. So thanks to all involved in the production. Sr Susan Shannon fdnsc, 1966

It looks really great! Rebecca Tang, 1989

What a surprise to receive the OLSH newsletter. Well done. Such publications take an immense amount of work. Bernadette (Schaefer) Micallef, 1976

Was so good to see some familiar faces in the the newsletter. Mrs Edge (Yr 7), Mrs Nash (Music), Mrs Brock (PE) … I hope I got them right! Keep up the good work! Sonia Sroya, 1996

A great start to the OLSH

Alumnae Association. I will be

in touch regarding my sisters who

also attended the College.....we

span the years from 1949 to 1962.

Sr Kathleen Moore fdnsc, 1952

Thank you for the fabulous newsletter. I enjoyed reading it and passing it around. Patricia Palman, 1978

I feel so proud to be part of OLSH

Alumnae. In fact, that would be my

vote for title of the newsletter with

its unique spelling, Alumnae.

Frances (Wright) Killaly, 1968

Just a short note to let you know how much I enjoyed reading the newsletter. Sr Jenny Christie fdnsc (OLSH Sisters’ representative on the Board)

What a beautifully presented newsletter. I would like to name our newsletter Flame as we have love and feeling in our hearts for our school buddies. Kaye (Condon) Phelps, 1961

My preference for the name of the newsletter is Regnet Christus. If you were to ask for donations periodically, I wouldn’t mind donating to the school.

Anonymous, 1991

I just thought I would update my details for the database.  I would love to get any information regarding the school and future reunions etc... Georgegina (de Souza) Nettleingham, 1993

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On a very holy day, 25 December, our grandmother Giustina Salvatore (nee Di Iorio) was born in Salt Lake City, USA, in 1909. From this promising beginning 100 years ago, my grandmother went on to live in three continents and to become the matriarch of a large family comprising 10 children, 21 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren.

It all began around the turn of the 20th century when Giustina’s father Ferdinando travelled from Italy to the

Family MattersThe Five Tinas

The first two generations of the Salvatore family in Australia: Giustina (front row, second from the left) and Giuseppe with their eight sons and two daughters at a family function in Oakleigh, not long before her death in 1982.

United States in the hope of earning a better life. Several years later, Giustina’s mother, Felicia, joined her husband. Unfortunately, Felicia was very homesick so after Giustina’s birth, the family returned to Italy and settled in the small rural town of Spinete 180km south east of Rome.

In 1926, Giustina married Giuseppe Salvatore, a strapping young local man. They had a home in the centre of town and some pastures in the countryside where they grew their

own food and tended a menagerie of farm animals. Despite the apparent idyllic lifestyle, times were difficult as my grandparents adjusted to life between world wars whilst raising a family of ten children, eight sons and two daughters.

In 1952, Giustina and Giuseppe’s eldest son, Giovanni, migrated to Australia to escape war-torn Italy. Over a number of years he was followed by the remainder of his siblings, with the exception of my aunt Giovanna who remained in Spinete. My grandmother missed her family greatly and in 1966 travelled out with her youngest son to join the remainder of the family. Initially my grandparents lived with some of their sons until they purchased their own home in East Bentleigh.

In common with customs of the time, the first daughters of the sons were all named after our grandmother, Giustina Salvatore. The name Giustina is a variant of Justine and means “just and fair”, which typifies my grandmother. She was a wonderful lady, a compassionate person with devout religious beliefs and very strong sense of family values.

Five girls all called Tina Salvatore attended OLSH, four of them at the same time. How did this happen? Tina (Salvatore) Belotti tells the story of her family.

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FAMILY MATTERS

Family Matters will be a regular feature in Flame. Plans for stories about other families include The Kennedy Clan, The Eight Ritchie Girls and The Seven Little Sisters. If anyone has a suggestion for a story, please contact the Alumnae Secretary.

Some of the third generation of Salvatores in 1982: the five Tinas, (clockwise from top left) Giustina D’Angelo, Giustina Salvatore (Yr 10), Tina Mase (Yr 9), Tina Salvatore (Yr 8) and Tina Belotti (Yr 10).

Other Salvatores who attended OLSH:

Giustina D’Angelo’s daughters:Rosalyn D’Angelo 1999 – 2004Marisa D’Angelo 2001 - 2006

Giustina Mase’s daughters:Nancy Mase 2004 - 2009Nadia Mase 2009 (Yr 7)

Cousin John Salvatore’s daughter:Sarah Salvatore 1999 – 2004

Cousin Pepe Salvatore’s daughters:Pia Salvatore 2004 - 2009Nina Salvatore 2007 – 2009 (Yr 9)

Reflection

The five Giustina Salvatores who attended OLSH:

Giustina Salvatore (now D’Angelo) 1969-1974 Completed a BA, Dip Ed, and has been teaching English as a Second Language (ESL)

Giustina Salvatore 1978-1982 Obtained a cabinet making qualification

Giustina Salvatore (Belotti) 1978-1983 Completed a BAppSci, worked as a microbiologist for many years and is now at Loreto Mandeville Hall

Giustina Salvatore (Mase) 1979-1982 Obtained administration and book keeping qualifications and works at an architectural firm

Giustina Salvatore 1980-1983 Became a qualified hairdresser

Of the grandchildren, 12 girls have studied or are studying at OLSH. The tradition began with my cousin Giustina (of course) in 1969. At one stage in the early 1980s, four family members including myself, all named Giustina Salvatore, attended OLSH at the one time. To make matters more confusing, only one family member retained the name Giustina at school, while the rest of us preferred the name Tina.

It was great being at school with three of my cousins and by Year 7 we were all well and truly used to having the same name as we had all been to the same primary school, St. Peters in East Bentleigh. Other people, however, found it quite confusing. I must admit two of us being in the same class one year made life interesting. I was known as Tina and my cousin was Giustina. That helped the teachers but didn’t help us as we would both look up when either name was called.

I think we also made life for Mrs George in the office rather difficult because if there was ever a message for Tina Salvatore either four of us would go or no one would turn up thinking that one of the others would attend to it. Mrs George finally got sick of us and would announce Tina Salvatore followed by the year level.

So that's the story of The Five Tinas.

In our busy world, we need reminders of another way of being and of loving and of knowing. Christmas can afford us that opportunity. Perhaps as we hear a carol being sung, even if it is in the supermarket or department store, we can let our heart have a little flutter at the thought that God would become a tiny child and share our life. Or we might like to think over a verse by the poet, Francis Thompson:O world invisible, we view thee, O world intangible, we touch thee, O world unknowable, we know thee, Inapprehensible, we clutch thee!

Sister Elizabeth Taylor fdnscCollege Chaplain

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Melanie Ades, 1998Being Sports Captain in Year 11 was just one sign of Melanie’s passion for keeping active and motivating others to reach their potential. After OLSH, she completed a Sports Coaching Diploma at Swinburne University, then worked at Waves Leisure Centre in Cheltenham

for six years as a gym instructor/personal trainer. When she needed a change, she moved to Vancouver, Canada, again as a personal trainer. But the land down under called and in 2007, Melanie decided to return home to train for the Triathlon World Championships to be held on the Gold Coast. Melanie completed this in September 2009. She works as a gym instructor at Kingston Council’s Don Tatnell Leisure Centre in Parkdale and believes “that if you’re fit and healthy you can accomplish anything”.

Christine Barca, 1980Program Manager at GordonCare for Children, Christine Barca, last year won the inaugural SACS Award for Leadership in the Not for Profit Sector. This is the top award for charity workers in Victoria and New South Wales. It was given for the ground breaking work Chris has done in the Services for Separated Families program to change the life of some of the most vulnerable children in our society. The judges felt that Chris’s “passion, energy and innovative approaches” meant she has displayed outstanding leadership and had made “an extraordinary contribution”. Chris joined GordonCare, established 120 years ago, in 2004.

Amanda Benson, 1991Graduating in 1991, Amanda completed a BEd(EnvSci) at Melbourne University and later a MAppSci(OHS) at RMIT while keeping involved in many sports including lacrosse and swimming. In 1997, with a group, she cycled across the USA (Seattle to Washington DC).

Most of her working life has been with Coffey, a consulting engineering company, as an Environmental Scientist and then Health, Safety, Security & Environmental Sustainability Manager. Married to Brett Devlin, she’s a step-mum to Katie (14) and mum to Patrick (7 months). Amanda still enjoys going to the MCG to see an occasional Essendon win.

Serving under the OLSH BannerThis year 2009 we celebrate 150 years since Our Lady was graced with the title “Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.” Our College, named under that title 71 years ago, has seen many past students enter religious life with the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and serve God and the Church both near and far as teachers, nurses, administrators, social workers, spiritual directors, pastoral associates … Whatever the need, the Sisters including our alumnae Sisters have been there to respond.Currently Sr Mary Fyfe fdnsc, who matriculated from OLSH College in 1964, is the Superior General leading the Order of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart located in 27 countries around the world.Sr Mary was born and bred in Bentleigh undertaking her primary schooling at St Paul’s Bentleigh and her secondary education at OLSH College. Professed as a Daughter of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in 1968, she initially served at St Peter’s in East Bentleigh and then at OLSH College, Enfield in South Australia, before enjoying a period of missionary experience in Papua New Guinea. In 1982-83 she was Deputy Principal at OLSH College, Bentleigh, after which she took on the principalship of OLSH College, Kensington, (NSW) for a period of 11 years.Before becoming General of the Order, Mary was called in 1995 to be a founding member and superior of the OLSH Sisters’ International expansion into Japan where she served for 10 years. Part of this service was as Principal of Marist Co-educational International College, Kobe. In recognition of her leadership of the school and dedication and service to the wider community, Sr Mary was presented with the “ICKAN Award” by the International Committee of the Kansai, Japan.Sr Mary now resides in the General House in Rome, but is constantly on the move visiting and supporting the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart across the globe. When she is in Melbourne she still keeps in touch with past students and takes a lively interest in all our doings at OLSH College. Mary sends a special “hello” to all alumnae and we at OLSH College take this opportunity to send our good wishes to her and all alumnae Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart wherever they reside, at home or overseas.

Mary Fyfe fdnsc

Chris Barca and family at Easter 2007: husband Michael Atherton (St Bede’s boy with whom Chris did her debut in 1979), Cassie (12), Danielle (8) and Pomeranian dogs, Monte and Carlo.

Flame Girls

A Bunch of DatesHere are some of the things happening at OLSH in 2010. You are welcome to attend these events. Please contact the college on 03 8520 9200 for further information.Fri 28 May Feast of the Sacred Heart Performing Arts SpectacularSat 17 Jul or Sat 31 JulOLSH Alumnae Event (details in next edition)Wed 25 Aug - Fri 27 AugCollege Production

Wed 8 Sep Open Day Thu 16 Sep 2009 Year 12 Cocktail Party Fri 15 Oct OLSH Arts FestivalFri 19 Nov Speech Night

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Annette (Mark) Atkinson, 1968After completing her secondary education in 1966 at Year 10, Annette attended Serco’s Business College undertaking a course in Secretarial Studies/Business Administration. She has been gainfully employed within the business sector for most

of the past 40 years (with a few years off to concentrate on being a mum). She now derives much satisfaction from being Director of On The Mark Business Services, her own company, which provides administrative/partnership support services to the business community, both nationally and internationally.

Lauren Gillard, 2002

Even before she left OLSH, Lauren was singing for her supper in and around Melbourne. She performs jazz, soul, R&B and popular tunes, with gigs around Australia and across Europe. Lauren has appeared onGood Morning Australia and

performed at the opening of the Australian Open Tennis and the Commonwealth Games Village. Lauren and her father Bob, known as Bobby Valentine, were guest adjudicators at the OLSH Performing Acts Spectacular in June and delighted the audience with their own double act. Lauren is planning to record her first album soon.

Lisa (de Jong) Howard, 1999Landscape architecture applies artistic and scientific principles to design, planning, research and management of natural and built environments so that they serve useful, aesthetic, safe and enjoyable purposes. And Lisa Howard, as

Senior Landscape Architect withTaylor Cullity Lethlean (TCL), makes her own contribution to what we see around us. Since joining TCL in 2004, after graduating from a four year Landscape Architecture degree at RMIT, Lisa has been involved in projects as diverse as Victoria Harbour at the Docklands; the masterplanning of the McClelland Gallery and Sculpture Park; the Canberra International Arboretum & Gardens; and Victoria Square redevelopment in Adelaide.

FLAME GIRLS

Achievements at a Glance … continued from page 1• The LOTE department organised its first reciprocal

Italian exchange with 19 girls going to Italy followed by 25 Italian students then visiting Melbourne

• Kassandra Leslie (Yr 9) become one of three winners for the Student Dali Inspired Online Photography Award, NGV International.

• Staff and students went on the third OLSH Mission Tour to Kiribati (formerly the Gilbert Islands)

• The College produced its first OLSH Arts Festival featuring textiles, visual arts, music, dance and drama and the popular Arts Cafe

• Four staff and 37 students undertook a four-week World Challenge expedition to Vietnam and Cambodia

• Students made their first trip to the remote Aboriginal communities of Lombardina and Djarindin about 200 kms north of Broome.

Julie Perrin

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1981/1982 ReunionNearly fifty excited women and eight teachers recently attended a 1981 Year 11/1982 Year 12 reunion at OLSH. How did it happen?It all started one warm winter’s morning at St. Paul’s school gate in Jasper Road, Bentleigh, when Josie met Maria.“Hello, how are you?” said one. “I haven’t seen you for ages!” said the other. “What’s been happening?” And then for 10 excited minutes, long after their children had waved goodbye and disappeared inside the front door, Josie and Maria caught up for the first time in 27 years.This is a scenario repeated over and over as girls leave school, travel, work, settle down, marry and have babies. During all their adventures as independent young women, once close friendships from school days are often put on hold. However, after the babies reach a certain age, they become toddlers and then start attending school. Women who left school 20 or more years ago now start going back there, this time, not as students but as parents on the other side of the school fence.Chances are, if you still live around the same area you did when you were little, you’ll come across other women you

went to school with who also have children who are going to the same school as your children.And then you start talking about your other childhood friends and the way schools have changed and think wouldn’t it be great to catch up with all your old school mates and have a big reminisce together.And that’s what happened when Josie (Ansaldi) Gleeson met Maria (Angerami) Casula. The next step was they had coffee together and invited Rosa (Mandarano) Locantro along. As Rosa says, “We were sitting around at El Fresco Café in Bentleigh talking, when we all pretty much decided that it would be wonderful to be able to have a reunion and see our old friends and teachers...and that’s where it all began.”So on the afternoon of Sunday 11 October, after months of preparation, the 1981/1982 students and eight former staff members crammed into the College’s multipurpose room. The room was beautifully decorated with purple and gold candle holders and the food, catered for by Toni Angelopoulos (former student) and Maria Galati who run St. Paul’s canteen, looked fabulous.Teachers who attended were Caterina Cafarella, Pina Milne, Sheila Mann, Joy Carver, Cate Cawthan, Monica Isles, Howard Liston and Maureen Malone, the last two still currently teaching.

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From left to right; Back row: Celine Joseph, Elizabeth Zanca, Pina Milne (Teacher), Andrea Scarfe, Liana Griggs, Rebecca D’Cruz, Belinda Howe, Nicole Booker, Cathy Haggett, Judy Antolino, Kathy ConstantopoulosFourth row: Louise Colussi, Marisa Enna, Debbie McAdam, Michelle Godley, Amanda Fountain, Elizabeth Domigan, Susanne Astone, Angela Sorpreso, Kathy Coster, Louise Oakley, Kerry HatherleyThird row: Pina Guanieri, Helen Ryan, Donna Cobbin, Anne-Marie Ray, Nicole James, Jenny Ciavatta, Lisa Travaglia, Alison de Koning, Katherine Gilchrist, Yvonne de Koning, Katie HaireSecond row: Carmel Courtney, Kathleen McCormack, Anne Montgomerie, Kerry Ould, Michelle Ritchie, Noelle Bird, Gloria Ziadeh, Vanitha Naidu, Lynne Phelan, Gillian BurrowsFront row: – reunion’s organisers: Rosa Mandarano, Josie Ansaldi, Maria Angerami (Serena Bettoni and Carol Nahal also attended but left before the photo was taken.)

It was fantastic to see so many classmates whom I haven’t seen since 1981 actually. Where does the time go....Celine ( Joseph) Vacouftsis

The girls did a fabulous job organizing such a great event There was such excitement at seeing each new arrival.Judy (Antolino) Halliday

I am actually feeling a little exhausted today, but I had so much fun catching up with the girls and the past teachers. It truly was a trip down memory lane!!Maria (Angerami) Casula

A great day - I really enjoyed catching up with students and staff. Could hardly believe the changes in the school buildings! Must be a great place to teach with all those facilities. However, I really enjoyed my years at the “old” College with its one staff room where we worked side by side. I’d probably get lost in transit today!!            Sheila Mann (former teacher)

We had a great time during our years at OLSH. You can see it in the room now, everyone just got on. The school provided a solid academic basis and the teachers were interested and caring – I’m thrilled so many turned up here today to see us again. When I went to Melbourne Uni in 1983 to study law, I was the only OLSH girl in that course. But I didn’t feel daunted, just excited to enter the next phase of my life. OLSH gave us that courage to move forward with our lives whatever we chose to do.Kath (Constantopoulos) Sherwood

It was an absolute pleasure organising our long overdue reunion!  Just to see the many friendly, smiling faces of past students and teachers was overwhelming and very heartwarming.  Friendships were rekindled and people reconnected.Rosa (Mandarano) Locantro I came away with a real buzz and am so grateful to Maria, Josie and Rosa who worked so hard and put in so much preparation for us to share in each other’s lives again. They’ve done so well that the Italian HSC class of 1982, and their teachers, are meeting for dinner in Lygon Street in November. I remain grateful that my parents struggled to pay the fees that put my sisters and me through OLSH. Even though the school has changed the spirit remains. And that’s just Ace.Cath (Haggett) Peters

‘From little things big things grow’!! We nicknamed ourselves ‘The Three Detectives’ as trying to trace people was a challenge but as we contacted people it was great to hear their voices and hear about  their lives. Many people hadn’t been back to OLSH for a long time so the school tour that Mr Liston and Shane took people on was fantastic as the school has changed so much. It was a brillant day and one I was very proud of being a part of.    Josie (Ansaldi) Gleeson

A very enjoyable day. It is great to see girls (now women) I last saw 28 years ago – and not as much a test of my memory as I thought it would be.  Howard Liston (current teacher)

Feedback on 1981/1982 Reunion

Footer photographs, pages 8–9: Cornelia Gratzer, MG Studios

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Sr Mary Giovanni fdnscPrincipal 1944-1956In 1944 OLSH College Bentleigh began formal classes as a registered secondary school. The founding Principal was Sr Mary Giovanni Sweeney and during the next 12 years

she built the strong foundations of the College. On 7 May 2009 Sr Giovanni entered Eternal Life. We praise and thank God for the gift of her life and are grateful for her vision and dedication to girls’ education. Our present experience of the College is a product of the efforts of all those who have gone before us. We treasure their contributions and commit to building the future.

Laura Taranto, 2001In a romantic ceremony on Valentine's Day earlier this year, Laura married Daniel Long, a commercial manager with Transfield Services. After the nuptial mass at St. Peter’s in

East Bentleigh, the wedding party travelled by boat from Federation Square, Melbourne up the Yarra to a sparkling reception at Leonda by the Yarra in Hawthorn. This fairy tale wedding was capped off by a honeymoon in Hawaii. Laura opened “Hairarchy”  her own hairdressing business on 1 September in North Road, Ormond.

Fiona Lathleiff, 1999Two days after Christmas 2008, Fiona married David Brewster, a St Kevin’s College boy, in the glass chapel at the Angsana Resort, Palm Cove, in Queensland, followed by a reception at the resort’s restaurant on the beach.While at OLSH, Fiona showed great

leadership abilities. In 1998, she was a National Finalist for the United Nations Youth Association of Australia General Assembly Selection (Brisbane), as well as winning both the City of Glen Eira Foundation for Youth Excellence Award and the Victorian Premier’s Award for Technological Design & Development: Fashion & Fabrics – all this (and more) while only in year 11. Fiona is now a qualified doctor and is training with Southern Health as an anaesthetist. David is an intensive care doctor.

Liz Haley, 1961Liz was a talented, vibrant, creative and entertaining classmate. After leaving OLSH, she took up dressmaking eventually establishing her own businesses in Melbourne and country Victoria. Liz lived life to the full savouring every opportunity that

came her way.  She had two daughters and one grandson.  Two years ago, Liz was diagnosed with mesothelioma. She fought bravely and also assisted many who like her suffered from this disease. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the members of her family. 

Robyn Tran, 1999On 19 December 2009, at St Peter's, Bentleigh East, Robyn will marry her high school sweetheart, Anh Bui, a St James student. They met when Robyn was in Year 10 through Anh’s sister Van (1998). Anh proposed to Robyn on their 10 year anniversary.

A reception at Merrimu Receptions in Murrumbeena will follow their wedding at which classmates Mirella Bermudez and Ranmali De Mel will be doing readings. After OLSH, Robyn completed a Bachelor of Pharmacy (Monash) in 2003. She then worked as a pharmacist at Monash Medical Centre before being accepted into medical school in Canberra (Australian National University). She moved to Canberra in 2005, completed her studies at the end of 2008 and is now working at Eastern Health as a junior doctor.

Loretta Pinzone, 2001Loretta met her husband Clem Conheady when she was in Year 12 through the Antioch Youth Group at St Peter’s, East Bentleigh, and they started going out a year later.  They married on their seven year anniversary on 20 February this year at St Peter’s

followed by a reception at Contessa Receptions in Mount Waverley.  Instead of the traditional bridal waltz, the happy couple performed a swing dance to the tune of L-O-V-E by Nat King Cole. Classmate Penny Badwal was maid of honour.  Loretta is currently working for a leasing company in St Kilda not far from Clem who is working down the road at The Alfred as a medical physicist. They are living in East St Kilda and loving it.

Weddings

Vale

And also…Organisers and participants at the 1982 reunion were saddened to hear of the death of their former classmate, Anne-Maree Anderson, and Peter Colantuano, Maths teacher.

May they rest in peace.

Over 60 of the 2008 Year 12 girls came to the College’s multipurpose room on Thursday 10 September for their first year out reunion.The students, from the 2003 Year 7 – 2008 Year 12 group, arrived for their cocktail party dressed to the nines.Every girl had her own style – elegant, cool or funky. Micro minis were everywhere sometimes teamed with lace stockings, and there was lashings of mascara; the works.The room echoed with many loud squeals of recognition and there were lots of excited hugs as the girls checked each other out.“Is that the dress you told me about, the one you wore to your cousin’s wedding?” said one admiringly.And from another to her friend with a big smile, “Your hair looks great. I haven’t seen it that colour before.”Killer heels were big, eyelashes decorated with diamantes fluttered, and sleek flapper hairstyles vied with the carefully contrived messy look.Several of the girls’ teachers also attended and there were many affectionate exchanges. It was obvious the students

2008 Year 12 Cocktail Party really appreciated the effort their

teachers were still making to show they cared about them.Early in the evening, the principal, Ms Anne O’Loughlin, warmly welcomed the students to their first ever alumnae reunion – hopefully one of many. The night couldn’t have been such a success if it hadn’t been

for the very hard work of five VCAL girls, who with their teacher Maureen Malone, worked tirelessly from late afternoon till late.Natalie Foley helped with the display of photos of the girls’ Year

7 and 8 classes and assisted Anupriya Surendran and Dimitra Galanakis as they cut and prepared fruit platters, decorated the tables and served the hot food. Natalie Kerwick and Samantha Hunt had the most demanding task of all as they dealt

with the continuous queue for the extremely popular cocktails and mocktails.The VCAL girls were highly motivated to contribute to serving their seniors, because after all, they will be the ones dressing up and having a great time for their first reunion next year. It’s an OLSH tradition for very modern girls.

11

They just can’t keep away…This year, of the 93 staff (54 full time and 39 part time) currently working at the College, seven are former students. This is another proof of the strength of the OLSH community with these former students coming back to make their contribution across a range of areas within the College.In alphabetical order of their current surname, we have:1975: Margaret (Maher) Carlson – Literacy Support Teacher1976: Michelle (Abourizk) Einsiedel – AV Library Technician1974: Anne (Crowe) Jamieson – Student Pathways Coordinator1972: Maureen (Wilson) Malone – VCAL Coordinator

1975: Brenda (Murphy) O’Leary – Teacher Librarian

1968: Shane O’Neil – Alumnae Secretary

1968: Cathy (Vaudrey) Osborne – Canteen Manager

Until mid year, Kath (O’Brien) Kruger, class of 1971, worked in Administration and last year, Rebecca McGrath, Maths/PE Teacher, 2002, was also on staff.

[The dates refer to the final year of each former student’s class group. Even if students leave the school before Year 12 (or even earlier in the first years of the College), their year is recorded the same as all their classmates. So “class of 1976” refers to all girls who were in Year 7 in 1971 even if they joined the class later from another school or left earlier.]

Did you know?

Goodbye and Hello

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College 111 Jasper Road, Bentleigh, VIC 3204 Tel: 03 8520 9200 Fax: 03 8520 9299 Email: alumnae@olsh.vic.edu.au Web: www.olsh.vic.edu.au

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Your SayIf you have some news to share or just want to get in contact, here’s how:

Ms Shane O’NeilAlumnae SecretaryOLSH College111 Jasper Road, Bentleigh, VIC 3204Phone: 03 8520 9263 Fax: 03 8520 9299Email:alumnae@olsh.vic.edu.au

Row 5 L-R: Jayde Daly, Julie Filatov, Alexandra Staikos, Morgan Rendall, Pia Salvatore, Crystal Goetz, Nicole Moldrich, Laura Harper, Monica Binaka, Elley Borland, Leah Pais, Sinead Brookes, Rosie Sweeney, Emily Sutherland-Wells, Erin Hastings, Nicole Zeglinas, Ashleigh George, Amanda O’HaraRow 4 L-R: Lauren Stent, Claire Cameron, Stephanie Palamberis, Megan Stent, Jacinta Mallis, Michelle Vasil, Dina Amin, Nicole Trakossas, Slavica Stojkovska, Claudia Quadara, Zoe Savva, Molly Grau, Abbey Mehrten, Amy Gilchrist, Stephanie Lonel, Stephanie Stratoudakis, Nancy Mase, Anna Cunningham, Eleisha BirkensleighRow 3 L-R: Krystal Laspas, Marianna Stylianou, Vanessa Wong, Caitlin Hall, Estelle Austin, Melissa Burrows, Rhea Sethi, Veronica Russell, Stephanie Cottrill, Dorothea Tsiavis, Kay Lim, Miriana Dugosija, Laura De Girolamo, Maria Rando, Jessica Dixon, Shannon McGowan, Natasha Gates, Rachael Lampe, Bahinie Thevarajah, Stefanie ThomasRow 2 L-R: Selina Tsiakiris, Anastasia Halidas, Kate Richardson, Samantha Hunt, Olivia Sonn, Megan Chudleigh, Alana Harper, Kate Young, Brittany Kefford, Deborah Volaris, Yoyo Tse, Christina Skyllas, Giulia Poletta, Georgia Leuzzi, Stephanie Mansour, Aparna Francis, Sian Corrigan, Suzanne Menezes, Vicki Psaradellis, Dimitra GalanakisRow 1 L-R: Emily Sao, Natasha Mutch, Courtney Watt, Jade Cairns, Erica Green, Nancy Morel, Natalie Foley, Maxine Fairbairn, Stephanie Lacey, Madison Gardner, Natasha Sougias, Anupriya Surendran, Natalie Kerwick, Athena Efremidis, Rachel DavineHome Room Teachers: Ms Anthea Sholl, Ms Amanda Malone, Dr Gavin Brown, Ms Carolyn Graffeo

This year 90 girls completed their Year 12 studies at OLSH, with a combination of VCE, VCAL and VET courses.We wish them all the very best for their results.Once the end of this year comes, these girls are no longer current students, but former students or, to use the Latin term, alumnae.So we farewell this cohort as they move off into the world of further education and work, and officially welcome them to the OLSH Alumnae Association.

These girls will be invited back around September 2010 for their first year reunion cocktail party, and no doubt they will be already very grown up less than 12 months after leaving school.But for now, we say a fond “goodbye” to the 2009 Year 12 students and a warm “hello” to the class of 2009 alumnae.You will always be part of the OLSH community, wherever you go and whatever you do.

REGNET CHRISTUS