One of the highlights of this year's Sportsmen's Lunch was welcoming three outstanding alumnae back to Loreto to share their stories with our community. While each has followed a very different path since leaving school, Sarah Palmer (’15), Skye Halmarick (’25) and Tatum Bird (’18) all spoke about the importance of embracing opportunity, backing yourself and staying true to your values.

Sarah reflected on her journey from Loreto boarder to physiotherapist and final-year medical student, sharing how her passion for rural healthcare has shaped both her studies and her career aspirations. Her commitment to improving health outcomes for regional communities was both inspiring and a timely reminder of the impact our alumnae continue to have beyond the school gates.

Fresh from an extraordinary year on the football field, Skye spoke candidly about balancing elite sport with her studies and the discipline, resilience and determination required to pursue excellence. Her story was a wonderful reminder that success is rarely linear and is built through consistency, commitment and a willingness to keep showing up.

Joining Skye on stage was Tatum, who shared her own sporting journey across rugby union, rugby sevens and now the NRLW. Tatum spoke openly about embracing new opportunities, adapting to change and the importance of having the confidence to take on new challenges throughout her career.

Listening to these three remarkable young women, it was clear that while their careers have taken them in very different directions, they remain connected by the values they developed during their time at Loreto. Their generosity in sharing their experiences was greatly appreciated by everyone in the room and served as a powerful reminder of the many different ways a Loreto education can shape a life.

It was incredible to see the impact Sarah, Skye and Tatum had on the 200+ Loreto dads in attendance, reaffirming to many that the Loreto experience for their own daughter has been a profoundly positive experience.