Thank You, Gemma! A Heartfelt Farewell to Our President
We extend our deepest gratitude to Gemma Varone, President of the Santa Maria College Old Girls’ Association, for her remarkable service and leadership over the past eight years. Serving as President for seven of those years, Gemma has been instrumental in fostering growth, community, and connection among Santa Maria alumni, all while bringing enthusiasm and dedication to every event and initiative.
During her tenure, Gemma spearheaded various events and encouraged greater alumni involvement in College traditions like Mercy Days, Art Shows, and Drama Productions, all of which have warmly welcomed Old Girls back to the College. These events have been transformative, making Santa Maria not only a place where alumni reconnect but also one where they actively contribute to the College’s vibrant community.
A particularly impactful initiative Gemma championed was Homelessness We Care, an inspiring program that provides food to the homeless of Perth. Gemma has taken a hands-on role in this program, cooking, collecting food, and distributing supplies. Through her leadership, the committee has rallied around this important cause, embodying the spirit of compassion and service.
Gemma’s leadership also saw the committee through challenging times, including the disruptions of COVID-19. With reunions at risk, Gemma and the College worked together to adapt, creating the larger, more inclusive reunion model that has since brought so many alumni together.
On behalf of the Santa Maria College Old Girls’ Association and its committee, we thank you, Gemma, for your years of dedication, warmth, and leadership. We wish you all the best in the future, including the exciting wedding plans, and look forward to welcoming you at future Old Girls’ events.
With gratitude
Gwen Wood, Treasurer and the Old Girls’ Association Committee
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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.
