Today was a very special day for our community with the announcement of Ms Natalie Charles as the 14th Principal of St Catherine’s School.  

Our School Council chaired by Ms Jane Hodder, have conducted a diligent search process over the last few months and have recruited an outstanding educator and school leader who will inspire our girls. I am extremely confident that Ms Charles will build on the legacy of the 13 previous Principals of St Catherine’s and our School will continue to be one of excellence, upholding the values that makes St Catherine’s such a unique and special community. 

Every day as I walk down the hallway of Sherren House into the Principal’s Office, I walk past the photographs of all the past Principals. It is a vivid reminder to me of the extraordinary service given for over 100 years by a group of women who have led with passion and commitment. We all benefit from their efforts and achievements. St Catherine’s is the school it is today because of them. 

In this Issue of the Blue Ribbon, you can read about St Catherine’s Alumnae who were recently recognised in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours. We congratulate them on their deserved recognition. 

At St Catherine’s, it isn’t just the Principals who have made our School great. On the opposite wall in Sherren House is another set of photographs. The wall is lined with portraits of our Alumnae. Past St Catherine’s students who have been recognised for embracing the School Motto ‘Nil Magnum Nisi Bonum’ meaning, ‘nothing is great unless it is good.’ The Nil Magnum Nisi Bonum Project includes women from Academia, the Arts, Philanthropy, Medicine, Law, Business, Entrepreneurship and Sport. 

Every day I often pause to read the citations on the photographs of some truly exceptional Alumnae. Here is a small sample of the women and what they have achieved since graduating from St Catherine’s. 

Tamara Cannon (’91) is the Founder and CEO of Lille Fro, an Australian charity which funds education for children and skills training for adults living in extreme poverty in some of the remotest places on the planet. 

Carolyn Creswell (Tennent ’91) commenced her company, Carman’s, 23 years ago and has grown the small business from a part-time job hand-making muesli for a few Melbourne cafés, to a multinational Australian brand which proudly exports to 32 countries. 

Lady Anna Cowen AM (Wittner ’42) attended St Catherine’s from 1937 to 1942, her last year being at Warburton. Similar to her Headmistress, Miss Edna Holmes, Lady Cowen was involved with the World Education Fellowship (WEF) and how it examined new ideas in education in changing times. Founded in the UK in 1921 to promote educational reform, it established branches in many countries, including Australia, and forged close links with academic institutions and UNESCO. 

The Honourable Linda Dessau AC CVO was born in Melbourne and educated at St Catherine’s School. She gained the degree of LLB (Hons) from the University of Melbourne and was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria in 1975 and was the 29th Governor of Victoria from 2015 to 2023. 

A graduate of the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), Penne Hackforth-Jones’ (’66) career in film and television has spanned 30 years. She made her film debut opposite Sam Neill and Jack Thompson in 1979’s The Journalist and has gone on to work with some of the country’s best – including PJ Hogan, Toni Collette, and Bruce Beresford – in films such as Muriel’s Wedding, Paradise Road, Diana and Me and Black and White. 

Lauren Hewitt (’96) is one of Australia’s most recognisable female 100m and 200m runners. She represented Australia at three Olympic Games, six world championships and three Commonwealth Games over a 12-year professional athletics career, where she amassed two Gold, one Silver and three Bronze medals and 12 Australian titles. 

Lisa Roet (‘84) is a visual artist who exhibits in Australia and internationally. For 30 years her work has focused on the image of the ape and monkey as humans’ closest relative. Lisa uses visual art and design to explore environmental issues and genetic discoveries. She sees the ape as a mirror in her work, reminding us of the necessity to re-evaluate our position within this increasingly urbanised world. 

And notably Pamela Warrender OAM (Myer ’42) who turns 100 years old this year, received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2014 her for service to the community of Melbourne, and to the Arts. 

There are many other women on the Nil Magnum Nisi Bonum Wall, and their bios make compelling reading. Next time you are in Sherren House, take a right turn down the hallway just before Reception, and treat yourself to a tour of some very special people.  

The women in the photographs, along with every other girl who has attended St Catherine’s are part of the rich tapestry which makes our School great. I know when Ms Charles commences her Principalship in 2025, she too will be fascinated and enthralled by the legacy of those who have been before us.