“I have found my identity through this school.” These powerful words, shared by Tiahlee M (Year 12) at this year’s International Women’s Day Luncheon, captured the heart of the event. Tiahlee comes from a long line of remarkable Indigenous women who model the transformative power of education, and we are honoured that she has been able to continue that legacy with us at St Catherine’s.
Her words speak directly to our mission as a school: to create an environment where girls lift each other up, grow together and discover who they are before taking their place in the world and sharing their gifts with others. This is why we are here.
Tiahlee’s words also grounded the room in the true purpose of the event: to raise funds for our Indigenous Scholarship Fund. With this fund, we aim to open pathways for future Indigenous St Cath’s girls to pursue their goals, strengthen their voice and shape their own futures. In turn, these young women will also enrich our school community with their perspectives, knowledge and culture, strengthening who we are together. In moments when the world can feel incredibly dark, it is by coming together as a community, drawing on our differences, strengths and shared humanity, that we create light.
I have found my identity through this school.
Tiahlee M (Year 12)
This theme of connection and the power of women supporting women carried through to our guest speaker, Edwina Bartholomew. Edwina began by speaking about the lifelong impact of female friendships. As a former boarder, she shared how the friendships formed in Year 8 continue to sustain her through the joys and challenges of her life. “I was so lucky to meet these girls in Year 8, and now, still to this day, they are some of my absolute best friends. To have these friendships endure after all these years. It’s just really amazing,” she said.
Edwina also reflected on the unique value of girls’ education, connecting it to this year’s International Women’s Day theme, Balancing the Scales. “We want to make sure our girls leave school with as many skills as possible, and more confidence and abilities to tackle the world,” she shared. While acknowledging that we live in a co‑ed world, she spoke about the importance of providing educational spaces where girls can discover their strengths away from gender stereotypes and pressure. She then turned to the need for societal change, particularly around domestic violence, reminding guests that this issue exists everywhere, even behind “tall hedges in the Eastern Suburbs.” These conversations, she emphasised, must be happening in our schools and communities if we hope to rebalance the scales.
Edwina also shared her own health experience, being diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML), and how it prompted a profound shift in perspectives. “It created this psychological shift,” she explained. “You ask yourself, ‘What am I not doing?’ ‘Am I living the life I want?’ It has been the biggest gift to have that moment at 40, rather than at 70 when it might be too late.” She left guests with a powerful question: “What are you doing with this one wild and precious life, and is it everything you want it to be?”
Her words clearly resonated, with guests choosing to live their lives by giving generously. Overall, their kind contributions allowed us to raise $60,000, bringing us very close to being able to fund our Indigenous Scholarships in perpetuity. Of course, this event, which supports a cause so close to all of our hearts, would not have been possible without the support of our event partners:
Platinum:
Gold:
Silver:
Gift Supporter:
Prize Donor:
McGilp Family
Stephanie Farah from NG Farah
