Valerie Lhuede, a treasured alumna of Loreto Normanhurst, embodied the school’s values of compassion, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning. Her extraordinary life spanned 101 years, and her recent passing in September 2024 marks the celebration of a remarkable century filled with adventure, dedication, and an unwavering spirit.

Born in 1923, Valerie’s education spanned multiple schools before her father enrolled her at Loreto Normanhurst in her teens. At Loreto, Valerie thrived as a weekly boarder, cherishing the structure and camaraderie of school life.

Valerie completed her Leaving Certificate (HSE) at 16 and set her sights on studying architecture at the University of Sydney. However, when she realised that Mathematics was a requirement for matriculation, she made the decision to stay an extra year at Loreto. During this year, she focused on both Mathematics and Ancient History and, at 17, repeated her Leaving Certificate. Valerie went on to become one of the first women to study architecture in Australia.

Although she never pursued architecture professionally, Valerie’s love for nature and the arts defined her life’s work. One of her most significant contributions was her preservation work at Yerranderie, a ghost town in NSW that she transformed into an eco-tourist destination. Her custodianship of Yerranderie spanned nearly half of her life. She welcomed visitors to the refurbished miner’s huts and post office, where she would guide tours and share captivating stories of the town’s history.

“It gave me great pleasure to weave a spell around my audience, to see the spark of curiosity in children and adults alike,” Valerie once reflected.

Valerie’s passion for Yerranderie was sparked by her father, Aubin René (Ren) Lhuede, who purchased the town in 1947 with dreams of revitalising its silver mines. Though the mining never resumed, Valerie’s vision was different. She focused on restoring the town’s historical buildings and ensuring it remained a living monument to Australia’s past.

In 2011, at 89 years old, Valerie gifted the town of Yerranderie to the people of NSW, and today, it is managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service as part of Yerranderie Regional Park. Her efforts in conservation were recognised as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2010, honouring her enduring legacy of environmental stewardship.

Valerie’s adventurous spirit extended far beyond Yerranderie and her environmental work. A lifelong traveller, she explored the world, from kissing the Pope’s ring and seeing the ceilings of the Sistine Chapel in Rome to exploring the lost city of Machu Picchi in Peru. Photography became a lifelong hobby that she turned into a career. Valerie’s photography was published in renowned publications like The Reader’s Digest and National Geographic.

Even in her later years, Valerie maintained a strong connection to Loreto. She often reflected on how her education at the school shaped her both intellectually and personally, fostering her lifelong curiosity and love for learning.

Valerie Lhuede’s legacy is one of service, exploration, and dedication to leaving a lasting, positive impact on the world. In everything she did, Valerie embodied the spirit of Loreto - leading with grace, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to the world around her. As we celebrate her remarkable life, we remember her contributions to our community and the profound impact she had on so many.