MSM Alumni Inc. Newsletter - 2025 Edition 2 - Mt St Michael's College

2025 - Edition 2

Welcome to MSM Alumni the Class of 2025 – how special that it’s the centenary year too. That’s a connection with the College no other graduating year will have. We look forward to hearing about where your study and careers take you and seeing you back at the College soon. It was lovely to host your Year 12 Mother-Daughter Garden Party. A heartfelt thank you to those who contributed to continuing such a beautiful tradition.

It’s hard to believe the centenary year is almost over. One of the highlights of the Mass was the drama piece “If Grantuly Could Talk” – you’ll read more about it in Ms Volp’s message below. Tennis was an important feature of College life, as highlighted in the drama, so make sure you scroll down to read a reflection about long serving tennis coach Mr Geraghty – written by his daughter Loretta (Class of 1975). I certainly have great memories of my tennis lessons in the 80s.

It was an honour for MSM Alumni Inc to sponsor the Centenary Gala Dinner. In fact, alumni were involved across the event, including the excellent entertainment. We’re so proud of what our alumni go on to achieve and where they end up – you’ll read more about some below. Please let us know if you (or one of your classmates) deserves recognition. Let’s show our MSM Pride.

Speaking of sponsorship, we also helped Ruby Patterson (Class of 2021) attend the National Leadership Forum held at the Australian Parliament House in Canberra in September. She’s written about her experience for you.

Our next event is the Back to MSM reunion day on Saturday 21st March 2026. We’ve started contacting alumni with milestone reunions in 2026, including my own, the Class of 1986. 40 years, how did that happen? If you’re in the Class of 2016, 2006, 1996, 1986, 1976, and 1966 - please check for your Facebook group below. If it’s been 50+ years since you left the College, stay tuned for the return of our special Vintage Alumni morning tea next year too.

In the new year, we’ll be asking how you would like to be involved with, or engage with, the College as MSM alumni, so make sure we have your current details via MSM Alumni Inc - Keep In Touch. Or send the link to someone who doesn’t have contact with the College currently.

I hope you enjoy this edition of Fide et Amore – please share it among your MSM friends.

Yours In Faith And Love,

Anne O’Keeffe (Class of 1986)
President

As I reflect upon the remarkable accomplishments of Mt St Michael’s College throughout its centenary year, I am overwhelmed with a profound sense of pride and gratitude. I would like to thank that Alumni community for your engagement, generosity and support throughout 2025 to ensure the success of this landmark year. This milestone has provided a unique opportunity to reflect on the rich tapestry of our history and the enduring values that continue to shape our community. We honour the extraordinary legacy of the Sisters of Charity, whose vision, compassion and unwavering commitment to education have laid the foundation upon which our College stands today. Their spirit continues to inspire us to nurture hearts and minds, fostering a community grounded in faith, courage and service. As we look to the future of MSM under the stewardship of Mary Aikenhead Ministries, may we ensure that the next hundred years are marked by the same dedication, integrity and hope.

Our “centenary weekend” created some of the most memorable moments of the year. Our Centenary Mass was celebrated on Mary Aikenhead Day on 25 July. A pre-Mass reflection in the form of a drama piece entitled “If Grantuly Could Talk” was a gathering of verbatim stories and accounts from people who lived, worked, worshipped and were educated within her walls. Ms Linda Statham, Director of The Arts, spent many hours interviewing Sisters Clare Nolan, Cate O’Brien, Mary Maguire and Jeannie Johnson as well as some past students to listen to their anecdotes to compose a series of short stories that were wonderfully brought to life by our students under the direction of Ms Statham. It was a very special way to honour our history, and I thank Ms Statham and our Drama students for this inspiring gift. The final lines of the piece resonated deeply with those present:

“Without the story, Grantuly is only a building
We are the story tellers: Our task is connecting
Experiences, ideals and traditions
Preserving meaning and purpose
In Faith and Love.”

These words encapsulate the heart of MSM’s centenary: a celebration not of just years, but of lives touched, values upheld and a community united in faith and love. As we step into the next chapter, we carry forward the legacy of those who came before us, continuing to shape MSM’s story with purpose, passion and pride.

The centenary celebrations continued in grand style on Saturday evening, July 26, with the Centenary Gala Dinner held at The Star. It was an evening of elegance, joy, and connection, as members of the MSM community gathered to celebrate. Guests arrived in glamorous attire, ready to enjoy a fun-filled night of entertainment. We were honoured to have the presence of Sisters of Charity – Clare Nolan, Cate O’Brien, Anne Taylor, Cathy Meese, Jeannie Johnson and Suzette Clark. The dinner was well supported by former students, and it was fabulous to have the entertainment provided by Alumni members. The dulcet tones of Katerini Manolatos (Alumni Class of 1996) and her band set the mood with her soulful performance during dinner. Later in the evening, DJ Kitty Gatling, (Alumni Class of 2010) took to the stage keeping the energy high and the dance floor full. I would like to thank and acknowledge the Alumni Association for their valued Platinum sponsorship of this special event. We also thank Dynabook, our Gold Sponsor and MSM Alumni Jayne Air, owner of Jayne Air Building Design, our Silver Sponsor, who helped make the night unforgettable.

On 19 November, we celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2025. This cherished group of students have added their chapter to the MSM story and now transition to life post MSM.

We pray that they always feel the gentle presence of God guiding each of their steps, nurturing their spirit and strengthening their resolve.

As the holiday season approaches, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope this holiday season is a time of love, joy, and blessings for you and your loved ones.

In faith and love
Sharon Volp
Principal

Has your career taken you abroad?

We want to hear your experiences since leaving Mt St Michael's College, from cherished moments, challenges overcome, goals accomplished, or your favourite or most interesting anecdote. Get in touch with alumni@msm.qld.edu.au.

Meg Harris (Class of 2019)
Congratulations to Meg Harris (Class of 2019) who won her first individual GOLD medal in the 50M Freestyle at the World Aquatic Championships. The entire Ashgrove community relished cheering Meg and Hannah Casey (Class of 2023) on in Singapore.

Most recently, Meg was honoured as Griffith University’s Athlete of the Year for 2025. As a Sport Scholarship recipient, she’s not only a world champion in the pool but also studying for a Bachelor of Nursing at Griffith University.

Lexie Brant (Class of 2021)
We are thrilled to celebrate MSM Alumni Lexie Brant (Class of 2021), who was crowned Miss Universe Australia 2025. Lexie, an Occupational Therapy student, proudly represented Australia on the world stage at the Miss Universe competition held in Thailand.

Read more on Lexie's journey and how this experience has shaped her on her Instagram page.

Ruby Patterson (Class of 2021)
If I were to describe the National Leadership Forum in one word, it would be: transformational.

Travelling to Canberra, I carried with me the values instilled in me since my years at Mt St Michael’s College — integrity, compassion, justice, excellence, and a commitment to serving others. I arrived with an open mind and left with a deeper, more grounded understanding of what these values look like in practice, not just in the classroom or workplace, but in our national life.

This experience reminded me that leadership is never about the individual. It is about using your gifts in the service of others, seeking justice where it is absent, uplifting those without a voice, and striving for excellence with humility. These principles have shaped every step of my career so far, from supporting senior leaders in government, to working with community organisations, to championing communication that brings people together rather than pushing them apart.

A powerful takeaway from the forum was the idea that leadership is defined by followship; the courage to listen deeply, to create space for others, and to work collaboratively towards shared purpose. This mirrors the call I first learned at MSM: to “make the table longer, not the fence higher,” and to live a life guided by service, compassion, and hope.

I am profoundly grateful to MSM Alumni Inc for believing in my leadership story and supporting my journey. I will carry these values and this experience into every chapter still to come, with pride and purpose.

Reflection - Loretta Blackall nee Geraghty (Class of 1975)
My father, John Geraghty, is now 91 years of age and a lawn bowls tragic. To many among the MSM Alumni, he is still known as Mr Geraghty, the tennis coach.

Dad commenced coaching tennis at MSM in 1967 when Sr. Maureen Fetherston asked him to coach 4 young students. These girls went on to win the B1 section of the Secondary Convent Schools Tennis Competition later that same year. Dad was then engaged in a full-time coaching position at MSM in 1968. In those days, MSM did not have a reputation for being ‘a tennis school’. However, in the years from 1968- 1989, this situation changed as MSM won B, C, D and E grades in the highest divisions. However, a win in the A grade section still eluded the school, a situation Dad was determined to rectify at some future time. Dad has an amazing memory for tennis teams and scores and loved to tell me that, even though I played in an A grade final, our team had lost it to Loreto.

In 1978, MSM won the B and D Grade premierships with one student winning the prestigious Mother Vincent Whitty Memorial Cup. My sister, Rosemary was more successful than I was in winning finals and is pictured in the attached photo.

In 1989, Dad was successful in coaching the MSM A-grade team to success for 3 consecutive years (1989, 1990 and 1991).

Dad’s career as MSM tennis coach ended in 2002 with the growth and expansion of the school to include many other sports. He has very fond memories of his 35 years of coaching many young women at the school. Whilst Dad always enjoyed coaching his students to success, he was equally proud of being able to teach students to play and appreciate the game of tennis at any level. My memory is of the many life-long friendships forged through the shared experiences of our Saturday tennis teams.

Whilst Dad remains well known for his skill in coaching tennis and his strategic choice of competitive teams and players, he is mostly remembered for his sense of fun at lessons at MSM and his many “Dad” jokes which provoked as many groans as laughter.

Wherever Dad goes in Brisbane, he seems to come across his past MSM tennis students. It is also a credit to him that he is still contacted by some for regular lunch dates to reminisce about the old days and to hear stories of their current lives.

MSM Alumni Working Side by Side
MSM Alumni Dr Rosemary Geraghty (Class of 1980) and Dr Courtney Ashford (Class of 2005) when they proudly worked side by side at Maranoa Medical Centre in Roma, making a positive impact in their community.

Dr Courtney Ashford
After my junior hospital years in Rockhampton and the PA, where rural rotations highlighted the breadth and depth of medicine offered in rural practice, I applied for GP training and sought a rural placement. Having grown up in Roma, my sister-in-law connected me with Dr Geraghty, who noticed the MSM link on my CV and offered me a registrar position. An exceptional doctor, teacher and mentor, she shaped my early career and laid the foundation for the GP I am today. I remained in Roma for three years before returning to Brisbane to be closer to an unwell family member. I later reconnected with her clinic through the virtual integrated GP program, providing weekly Telehealth from Brisbane and periodic face-to-face visits, which I continue alongside my work in Brisbane as a GPwSI (GP with special interest) in dermatology.

Keep the news coming! Whether it’s special news from an Alumni, reunion updates or something you would like to see featured in our Alumni newsletter – we’d love to hear from you! Email: alumni@msm.qld.edu.au  

Year 12 Mother-Daughter Garden Party

A wonderful afternoon was shared at the annual Year 12 Mother-Daughter Garden Party. The Convent Lawn was alive with the colours of spring and the beauty of the jacarandas, making the perfect backdrop for this special event. A heartfelt thank you to our String Quartet for providing such elegant music.

MSM Alumni President Anne O’Keeffe officially welcomed the Class of 2025 into our Alumni. We are also grateful to Alumni Alice Spies, Kate Taylor and Venny Sarmiento for their presence and help behind the scenes.

This cherished tradition marks the beginning of Graduation season, offering the College a chance to extend best wishes to MSM Year 12 students as they approach their final assessments and prepare for Graduation.

2025 MSM Mothers' Lunch

It was a delight to photograph our current MSM mothers, proud Alumni of the College at the annual MSM Mothers' Lunch held at Rydges Southbank.

Class of 1975

The Class of 1975 came together for a memorable reunion at South Bank, celebrating decades of friendship and shared experiences, with a special appearance by beloved tennis coach Mr Geraghty.

Reflection - Bernice Anning
" Many of the senior class of 1975 who could be located and could attend, enjoyed a joyful catch up over Sunday lunch at the Ship Inn on 26 October to celebrate being together (or putting up with each other!) then, and now, 50 years later! Some of us had not seen each other in all that time so it was a wonderful opportunity to chat, reminisce, and discover the adventures and misadventures we had all been on since our grade 12 year. One thing was clear by the end of it, we had all maintained the same sense of fun and good humour that saw us through our time at Mt St Michaels; it certainly felt like no time had passed judging by the quick rapport and enjoyment we all seemed to have had with each other that day! Rose Brown rose, of course, to make a heartfelt thanks to us all for our wonderful celebration, to which we all agreeably cheered, followed by funny stories and wry jokes about the miseries we inflicted on teachers, and of our sadness for losing the wonderful Jane Bridges and class mates too soon!

Then the cherry on the cake came at the end of the day when Mr Geraghy with his son Stephen with his wife and son, called in, so another reunion, to collect Loretta who came all the way from Melbourne for the celebration. My Geraghty, a spritely 95 year old, still has the same smile and good humour he had as our longtime school tennis coach,and young Stephen is certainly much taller than we last saw him in school days.

We all gathered around them and Stephen's lovely wife took a group photo of us before we departed.
So from left to right this is a photo of Loretta Blackall (nee Geraghty), Kerrilyn Catton, Debbie Tregenza ( nee Eaton),Catherine Foley, Toni Power, Trish Baird(nee Ingram) ,Bernadette Ketter( nee Saunders),Rose Brown, Ann Hall, Bernice Anning, Philippa Goodman(nee Neil), Anna Crane ( nee Spencer),Julee Russell(nee Hamilton), Therese Russell( nee Melit) and Lori Robertiello (nee de Siati) who was our illustrious school captain that year.

Also included are more photos from the day including the writer's photo with our former tennis coach as mentioned.

Long may we live, laugh and catch up together as some of that charity the Sisters of Charity tried to instill in us, all those years ago, must have rubbed up on us as we all came together so well that day, .....and thinking of those we could not find or locate in time, or who could not attend, or who were already on Heavenly adventures, we made up a great and varied senior Class of 1975!"

Class of 2000

The Class of 2000 gathered at Friday's Riverside to celebrate their 25 year milestone.

Milestone Reunions in 2026

If you graduated in 1966, 1976, 1986, 1996, 2006 or 2016 you are celebrating a decade-milestone in 2026. Join us on Saturday 21 March 2026 for our 'Back to MSM' Reunion Day from 3-5pm in the Ionian Foyer, MSM. Bookings essential.

Reunions are a fantastic way to reconnect with your Mt St Michael’s College classmates. When was the last time you made your way back to Mt St Michael’s College? Last year? Last decade? Not since graduation? Although your school years may be far behind, the friendships that began at MSM still remain, or are waiting to be rediscovered.

Stay up-to-date with details of this special celebration. Join the MSM Alumni community: https://www.facebook.com/MtStMichaelsCollegeAlumni   

Click on your alumni year below and join your cohort's dedicated Facebook page.

The College joins with the Sisters of Charity in mourning the loss of two Sisters here in Australia and one in Ireland. Sr Ellen O’Carrigan died on 26 October and Sr Josephine Cannell died on 3 November (aged 107 years). The number of Sisters in Australia is now reduced to 74. We have also recently received word that Sr Stanislaw Kennedy, a very well-known member of the Religious Sisters of Charity in Ireland and an internationally recognised advocate for people experiencing homelessness, passed away following a short illness. Sr Stan was a fearless champion of the rights of the poor, and her loss is being mourned across the world.

MSM Alumni Inc. AGM Meeting Date

We warmly invite you to join us at our Alumni AGM held Monday 20 March at 6pm in the Chapel, Mary Aikenhead Centre, MSM.

Share Your News

The Mt St Michael’s College Archives preserves records that are of enduring value to the College community. Contributions of photos, uniforms and memorabilia are gratefully accepted. The College is particularly interested in uniforms from 1970 – 1990 or earlier and filling gaps in class photos and yearbooks. Contact archives@msm.qld.edu.au.

2026 Student Leadership Team

Introducing our 2026 College Student Leadership Team.

College Captains: Freya O and Katie S
Academic Captains: Keira H and Chloe L
Cultural Captains: Pia M and Makenzie S
Mission Captains: Chloe T and Sophie G
Sports Captains: Isabela C and Zali R
Aikenhead House: Olivia D
Grantuly House: Chloe W
Rush House: Josephine C-M
Stewart House: Hannah D and Eliza K

We congratulate these students and wish them all the best in their leadership roles.

MSM Sports Celebration Breakfast

The MSM community gathered to honour a fantastic year of sporting achievements, recognising students’ efforts across all disciplines. With the support of family and friends, the morning highlighted awards and memorable stories that embodied the true spirit of MSM sport. Our keynote speaker, Harriet Brown, one of the world’s most successful Surf Ironwomen whose enthusiasm for sport, particularly for women in sport, is truly motivating. Harriet encouraged the girls to push through tough times, highlighted the importance of perseverance, and reminded everyone of the joy that comes from pursuing your passion with mates by your side.

MSM Celebrates

The College community gathered for MSM Celebrates - an evening that recognises the outstanding achievements and excellence of students from Years 5 - 12 in all facets of our College life including, academic, sporting, cultural and service. The evening was a wonderful celebration with our students taking centre stage, exemplifying the unwavering spirit of excellence that permeates MSM. Thank you to the special guests that joined us for this important night in our College calendar, including Madonna Jarrett MP, Ms Jonty Bush MP, Sr Clare Nolan rsc, Mr Gary Humprys, Deputy Chair & Trustee - Mary Aikenhead Ministries, Mr Peter Kelly, Executive Director - Mary Aikenhead Education Ltd, members of the College Board and College Staff. Our thanks is extended to the many students who shared their talents through performance pieces elevating our night.

Year 12 Graduation Day

The MSM community celebrated the Class of 2025 at our Graduation Assembly. They have inspired us to “Keep the Spirit Alive in 2025”. We hold them in our prayers as they embark on the next chapter of their lives. May they carry with them hope to ignite their dreams, justice that strengthens their resolve, love that connects them to others, and compassion that unites us all.

With hearts full of gratitude, our community farewelled the Class of 2025 with a beautiful Graduation Eucharist for our students and their families. As our Principal Sharon Volp said in her blessing: "May our love strengthen and sustain you all the days of your life. And until we meet again - and we will meet again - may our God of Charity hold you in the palm of his hand."

Following mass, Year 12 graduates and their parents attended a memorable Graduation Dinner at Brisbane City Hall. The evening featured inspiring speeches, exceptional cuisine, and a prevailing atmosphere of pride as students commemorated their achievements and anticipated the next phase of their lives. This occasion provided families with a meaningful opportunity to recognise and celebrate the commitment and accomplishments of the Class of 2025.

Every member of the Mt St Michael’s community, past and present is invited to purchase a heart on our Light the Wall Legacy Wall and help us light the way for future generations.

Our Light the Way wall will proudly recognise past or present students, celebrate a graduate, commemorate your family or a loved one and leave a legacy for years to come. This beautiful art installation will remind us that the future is bright at MSM.

All heart purchases are a tax-deductible donation to the Mt St Michael’s College Foundation and the funds will be used to support the continued advancement of buildings for future generations of the College.

Click here to secure a permanent spot on our Light the Way Legacy Wall.

Click here to purchase your heart