Ruth Langley Luncheon
Pictured above: L-R Her Honour Judge Anna Robertson (Lally ‘88), Bernadette Lally, Genevieve Brammall (Lally ‘89), Elizabeth Wilson (Lally ’92)
Friday 16 May, 2025 was a standout date on the St Catherine’s Calendar—a moment on the school’s social calendar, and for good reason. This year’s Ruth Langley Luncheon had it all: a fresh new venue, record attendance, amazing food, plenty of bubbles, and a whole lot of laughter and good vibes.
For the first time, the lunch was held at the stunning Quat Quatta in Ripponlea—a grand old mansion with its gorgeous architecture and beautiful gardens, a resemblance to Sherran House, making it feel both exciting and familiar at the same time. And clearly, the change of scenery was a hit—we had over 250 guests, including a handful of brave VIP men sprinkled among the crowd.
The venue looked stunning, styled with floral arrangements by Salon Aux Fleur and gift bags from Koko Black, which added a pop of bright teal to the room. Guests were welcomed with a glass of champagne and the sounds of our string quartet playing in the courtyard. A big thank you to Sophie and Simon Crowe for their generous donation of the gift bags—those chocolates didn’t last long!
Once everyone found their seats, it was time to enjoy a three-course meal that looked as good as it tasted. As always, there was lots of chatting, laughing, and reconnecting—this event is just as much about catching up with old friends and making new ones as it is about fundraising.
Our new Principal Natalie Charles reflected on the afternoon’s theme—Empowering Women: How a shared foundational experience shaped two fearless future leaders—and the powerful legacy of sisterhood, courage, and resilience it invoked. She spoke of the values instilled at St Catherine’s and how the stories shared at this year’s luncheon, particularly those of the guest speakers, captured the essence of an education not just for School, but for Life.
The afternoon was expertly guided by our MC, Mrs Catherine Roosenburg, who kept everything running smoothly amidst all the chatter in the room—no mean feat, to say the least! The entertainment kicked off with a beautiful performance by the Senior School choir, Viva Voci, who wowed us all with their talent.
Then came the highlight of the day—our guest speakers, Her Honour Judge Anna Robertson (Lally ‘88), County Court of Victoria and Genevieve Brammall (Lally ‘89), National Head of PR & Talent Relations at News Corp Australia.
These two sisters, former boarders and proud St Catherine’s Old Girls, were equal parts hilarious and heartfelt. They had everyone in stitches sharing cheeky stories from their time in the boarding house and then brought a few tears as they spoke about how their time at the school helped shape their careers and lifelong friendships. Their talk was a beautiful reminder of just how special the St Catherine’s experience really is.
Of course, while the lunch is a major social event, it also plays a big role in raising funds for the school. This year, we introduced “mystery envelopes”—each one containing a surprise prize—and they were a massive hit. Thanks to our generous community who donated gifts, products, and services, we raised an amazing $15,000 from that activity alone. And then came the live auction, hosted by the incredibly entertaining duo of Nick Books and Ella Atkins, Marshall White Stonnington. They had the whole room buzzing as they auctioned off some fabulous prizes—a private dinner, a winery experience, a beautiful piece of art, and the hot-ticket item: “Head of Junior School for a Day”. That one stole the show, and Dr Brendan Kean was more than a little surprised to find out just how popular he is!
By the end of the afternoon, we had raised a total of $34,000, all of which will go directly back to supporting programs and experiences that benefit our girls. A big thank you to the incredible Ruth Langley Committee for their time, energy, and attention to every detail—from décor to guest lists to fundraising. Your hard work made the day such a success.
We are also so grateful to our generous sponsors and supporters. Your contributions help this event thrive and directly benefit the girls of St Catherine’s.
The 2025 Ruth Langley Luncheon was a perfect reminder of what happens when we come together: fun, friendship, and meaningful impact.
We cannot wait to do it all again next year on Friday 29 May 2026. Please Save The Date!