Sarah Kennedy (Philpot) Class of 2005

The WA People’s Choice ‘Spirit of Volunteering’ Award recognises the thousands of unsung heroes who through their volunteering have enhanced the lives of others and the community.

Sarah Kennedy (Philpot, Class of 2005) is a past student of Santa Maria and one of the finalists. Sarah is the Western Australian team leader for the organisation ‘Share the Dignity’.

Share the Dignity supports women and girls in need, all across Australia, providing them with essential sanitary items. There are many women experiencing, or at risk of experiencing homelessness, fleeing domestic violence or otherwise suffering financial hardship and they believe access to sanitary items is a right, not a privilege.

Sarah works full time as an ED nurse and is studying to be a midwife, yet still, she has found time to volunteer as the WA team leader since 2017. Ultimately, she is responsible for how Share the Dignity is run in WA.

She coordinates three campaign drives and all the events that occur in WA each year and leads 300 volunteers. She coordinates volunteers to pick up items donated by the public and deliver them to 282 partner charities; liaises with businesses who want to donate; supports partner charities, and represents WA at a national level within the charity.

In 2018, with Sarah at the helm, the WA team collected 21,153 sanitary items to distribute to women and girls in need.

Sarah encourages an amazing team culture in the WA team where everyone is keen to support each other. This makes Share the Dignity a stronger and better charity so they can help even more women and girls throughout WA during 2019. Her fellow volunteers are always in awe of how Sarah manages to juggle everything so effortlessly and with a smile.

 

From the President – November 2024

In the November edition of the Old Girls’ Association Blog, we warmly welcome the Class of 2024 and extend our best wishes to those completing exams. As the year concludes, we look forward to the Golden Girls Luncheon and reflect on unforgettable memories, with outgoing President Gemma Varone bidding a heartfelt farewell after seven dedicated years.

Read More »

Thank You, Gemma! A Heartfelt Farewell to Our President

We bid farewell to Gemma Varone, President of the Old Girls’ Association, honouring her inspiring leadership and dedication over the past eight years. From fostering alumni connections to leading impactful initiatives like Homelessness We Care, Gemma has been an instrumental force in strengthening the Santa Maria community. Thank you, Gemma!

Read More »
Old Girls' Association President Gemma Varone

From the President – October 2024

In the October edition of the Old Girls’ Association Blog, we feature alumni Mercy Award finalists Diann Black and Libby Wilkes, catch up with Gabby Blyth as Head of Admissions, and share exciting reunion news. Plus, get ready for the upcoming Golden Girls’ Luncheon, a celebration of those who graduated 50 years ago.

Read More »
Scroll to Top