Strathy Stories

Recently, 21 – 23 March 2023, I flew a very lengthy 50 minutes to Canberra to attend the annual National Schools Constitutional Convention which was organised by the National Curriculum Services (Department Of Education Victoria). I was one of 118 delegates from schools all over Australia.

Well done to our Strathcona Rowing Squad, who performed exceptionally well over the weekend at HOSG. The conditions were tough and everchanging throughout the course, but all the hard work that our students put in across the season was rewarded.

Jennifer Biggin (’84) studied teaching in Mathematics and Computing and after a few years decided to focus on computer science and changed to a Science Degree at The University of Melbourne. Jennifer discusses how Strathcona taught her that she can do anything she puts her mind to and although STEM is a highly male dominated field, it didn’t bother her.

Dr Monique Fernandez (’13) graduated in 2021 with a Doctor of Medicine at The University of Melbourne and has since been working as a Doctor at the Austin Hospital. Monique shares her personal experience about being a woman working in the STEM field, where she is still witness to gender stereotypes around the role of a Doctor being a male dominated career path. However, Monique uses this as an opportunity for education and discusses how it is becoming increasingly prevalent to see women in STEM careers and how these old traditions are being challenged.

Dr Kathleen McInnes (’79) leads the Climate Extremes and Projections group in the Climate Science Centre in CSIRO’s Ocean and Atmosphere business unit. Her work deals with how climate change will affect severe weather and coastal extreme sea levels in Australia and the Pacific. Her work assists local government to manage and adapt to climate change. She was a lead author on the IPCC Special Report on Oceans and Cryosphere in 2019. She currently serves as a co-chair of the World Climate Research Program Grand Challenge on Regional Sea Level Changes and Coastal Impacts. Read below for the full interview with Kathleen.

Dr Lynda Chambers has a career spanning over 30 years in the science field. She has been involved in developing seasonal rainfall forecast systems for the Bureau of Meteorology, assessed the effectiveness of a cloud seeding project for one of Melbourne’s water catchments with the CSIRO and has completed her PhD in Zoology plus many more exceptional achievements. Lynda shares advice to students interested in a career in a STEM field and some of the challenges women face pursuing work in her industry. Read on to learn more about Lynda’s career.

Alumni Paris Balla’s (’15)play is part of the VCE Playlist this year. The Owl and the Albatross will be studied across the state. This is only part of Paris’ career in theatre. Paris wants to ensure representation is visible for all. Learn more about their journey so far.

From recording indigenous Australian languages in remote Northern Territory to completing an Masters of Education in France, Elena Mujkic (’08) discovered the essence of teaching and engaging students and has taken her knowledge and passion to make a difference with students with learning differences.  Read about her impressive career to date and and the impact education has had on Elena’s life.

Seeking a viable future and harnessing industry innovation is Head of Sustainability at David Jones & Country Road Group, alumna Eloise Bishop (’93). Eloise has adapted and embraced learning throughout her career to have a positive impact on our future world.