From the President – August 2025
Dear Alumni
Welcome to our August blog. It has been some time since my last report in May, given my absence overseas. I hope you’ve managed to keep warm during this unusually long Perth winter, it has certainly been one to remember!
Our Old Girls’ Association Committee last met on 9 June, and I’d like to share some highlights with you:
Our next Sisterhood Networking Series is on Wednesday 13 August, 6.00 pm – 7.30 pm at the State Building. Our guest speaker is Diana Rigg (Class of 1988). Diana is a speech pathologist who works closely with occupational therapists and teachers to support primary school students with literacy, language and motor skills. I met Diana at our June event and know she will be an engaging and insightful speaker. As the venue is cosy, places are limited to 20, so please book early.
Also on 13 August, I will be attending the Pleiades Gathering at Penrhos College along with some of our committee members. Pleiades brings together alumni associations from independent schools to share ideas and strengthen connections. This year’s focus is on creative ways to connect with alumni in an increasingly digital and time-poor world. Thank you to Chelsea Weaver, our Foundation & Alumni Officer, for preparing our report for this meeting.
Planning is underway for another Movie Night. Our last one was relaxed, enjoyable and well-attended, so please look out for more details soon.
Our much-loved Golden Girls’ Lunch will be held on 8 November, welcoming the Class of 1975 into the group for the first time. It’s always a wonderful afternoon of memories, delicious food and spectacular views of the Swan River.
Last Saturday night, I attended the WA Opera’s opening night of Madama Butterfly at His Majesty’s Theatre with my twin sister, Sylvia (Class of 1974). It was a pleasure to meet past student, Fleuranne Brockway (Class of 2009), who featured in an article in last month’s blog. Fleuranne sang the mezzo soprano part of Suzuki with such skill and presence. I was delighted to give her flowers on behalf of our alumni community. Congratulations, Fleuranne.
Until next time, I wish you all the best.
Warm regards
Mary Heavens | President, Old Girls’ Association
- AlumniCommunityEngagement, AlumniNetworking, GoldenGirlsLunch, OGAAugustEvents, SantaMariaCollegePerth, SantaMariaOldGirlsAssociation, SisterhoodSeries
Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.
From the President – May 2026
Santa Maria College alumni can look forward to several upcoming events in 2026. These include a joint alumni event with Aquinas College later in the year, a movie night at Windsor Theatre Nedlands in late July, and the Pleiades Meeting hosted at Santa Maria College in August. The update also encourages support for the College’s Winter Appeal.
Expression of Interest – Explore8 Guest Speakers 2026
Santa Maria College is inviting alumni to submit an expression of interest to speak in the 2026 Explore8 program. Explore8 is a real-world learning experience for Year 8 students focused on research, problem solving and innovation in response to community and global challenges. Guest speakers help students connect ideas to lived experience by sharing their career journeys, challenges and impact.
Tara Del Borrello’s Music Therapy Journey
Music therapy is the intentional use of music by a registered music therapist to support health, functioning and wellbeing. In this alumni story, Tara Del Borrello explains how music therapy can help infants, children and young people with regulation, communication, rehabilitation and recovery. Her journey shows how a creative background can lead to meaningful work in healthcare.
