Opening of the Sports Centre & Annual Foundation Cocktail Party

Mrs Lauren Fox (Hewitt ’96)

On Wednesday 9 August we were delighted to welcome Sports Centre donors who so generously supported our She is Strong fundraising project, to attend the formal opening of our newly refurbished St Catherine’s Sports Centre. We welcomed close to 300 guests at this special event including all Sports Centre donors and a large cohort of St Catherine’s Foundation Members.  

Special guest was St Catherine’s Alumnae, Mrs Lauren Fox (Hewitt ’96); a gold, silver, and bronze medal Olympian, and one of Australia’s most recognisable 100m and 200m runners, who officially opened the Sports Centre. During her speech Lauren shared personal anecdotes and reflections on physical wellbeing and the impact of sport during her time at St Catherine’s.   

The opening was a fabulous celebration for our donors who were delighted by the considered and contemporary re-imaging of what is fast becoming one of our School’s most loved learning spaces for the girls. The Strength & Conditioning Studio was highlighted as part of the evening’s proceedings, showcased by our 2023 Sports Captains and Athlete Development Academy students.  

Showcasing our Strength and Conditioning Studio during the official opening

The ‘Save Your Seat’ named seats were another highlight of the evening. Our 372 Gold and Silver seat donors were eager to see and be photographed on their named legacy. There are three unnamed seats currently remaining, so should you wish to name one of these seats and leave a legacy for your daughter or family, please contact me directly at kahines@stcatherines.net.au   

Just prior to the Sports Centre opening event, the Foundation received a major naming gift which has enabled the completion of the ‘Ashley Siswanto Tumbling Studio.’ This key space will provide a vibrant area for our Early Learning and Junior School students to thrive in their very own bespoke training hub. We cannot wait to share this final component of the Sports Centre with our School community!  

From the outset, it was evident that the new Sports Centre’s realisation would be a collaborative effort, one that required synergy between vision, resources, and philanthropic determination. In this context, our loyal donors have embraced the project’s mission by empowering our aspiring athletes and the Sports Program at St Catherine’s.  

As we reflect on the completion of the Sports Centre, it is paramount to acknowledge the extraordinary role played by our dedicated donor community. The Sports Centre could not have been completed without the exceptional commitment of our loyal donors. You are amazing. THANK YOU.  

Ms Weili Shang: mother of Ashley Siswanto, Year 4 with Ms Kathy Hines

Mrs Chunxin (Tracy) Li with Principal, Michelle Carroll