Greetings to all alumnae. I hope this finds you well and you have an opportunity to rest and catch up with family and friends as the year draws to a close. 

Our country has again been a land of droughts and flooding rains – our thoughts go out to those in our regional community, particularly our farmers and graziers whose crops and livestock have been affected initially by the dry weather, only to have some crops impacted by recent rains.  

Many families, including our rural connections, have experienced difficult times, and there has been a high demand for bursaries. The Ex-students’ Association has committed to support a bursary for the daughter of an ex-student starting Year 7 in 2024. The commitment is for three years, with a potential continuation of the Bursary support for 2027-2029.   

The Christmas Bursary Appeal is currently in progress with matched funding of $40,000 generously provided by a current family in our community. Our overarching goal is to exceed $80,000, offering essential support of the Loreto Normanhurst education for current bursary students in 2024. You can purchase pearl bracelets and Christmas cards and make a tax deductible donation in which 100% will go to the Bursary Program. There is no question that your contribution, no matter the amount, is invaluable.  

Click here to donate and join us in spreading warmth and generosity this holiday season.

As we enter 2024, we look forward to updating you on innovative initiatives to broaden our alumnae community's impact in supporting students who may not otherwise have the opportunity for a Loreto Normanhurst education. Also, stay tuned for communications throughout the year, where we will share exciting opportunities for your involvement.

We have had some great events over the past few months. The Reunion Weekend at the end of September was a magnificent day – a wonderful opportunity to catch up with fellow ex-students across the decades. Our second networking event in October provided another chance for our younger ex-students to meet and listen to those of us with a more time out in the world! We thank Kara Greiner for her time in sharing her working life since leaving school – we may have some budding criminal lawyers as a result! 

We held the Loreto Normanhurst Ex-Students' Association Meeting AGM on 20 November. My thanks to our committee and all they have done during the year.  

To note in your diary for 2024! 

• Canberra Lunch – annual Mass & Lunch for the ACT region. Ex-students from all Loreto schools are welcome on Saturday, 16 March 2024.   
• Loreto Normanhurst Reunion Weekend – Saturday, 28 September 2024.
• Loreto Federation – Loreto Mandeville, Melbourne 11-13 October 2024.

Kindest, 

Jane Parker (Anderson, Class of 1984) 
President of the Ex-Students' Association