Class Notes - OGA eNews Issue 3, 2026

1962
Robyn Wallace (nee Kirwan)

I am retired and enjoying life as a grandmother, with grandchildren who are 25, 21 and 19. I came to C.E.G.S in Grade 5 and finished at the end of Junior (Grade 10) having done the Commercial Course for my last two years at the school. My first position was in a manufacturer's agent office in the city with D. Austin and Sons. I left there in 1996 prior to my marriage to Allan Wallace. Our wedding was held at the St Maragret's School Chapel on 23rd April 1966. Allan was working for Remington in Rockhampton, so we lived there until 1969. I secured a job at the Central Queensland Meat Export Company in the Shipping Department working under Mr Moran and did relief work for the Assistant Manager, Mr Jeffrey. In mid-1969, Allan was asked to move back to the Brisbane office, so we returned to our families. I then worked for Bushells Pty Ltd Tea and Coffee Merchants in Fortitude Valley, working for the Purchasing Manager, Mr Gardiner, until December 1971 when I resigned as I was expecting our first child. Leanne was born in March 1972 and then our second child, Matthew, in March 1974. I was a stay-at-home mum until Matthew was in Grade 7 when I became the Tuckshop Convenor at their primary school, a role I continued until retirement in September 2008. I always kept myself busy with committees and fundraising for the various clubs and groups the children were involved in. I learned cake decorating when in Rockhampton and this is something I did for family, friends and friends-of-friends until recently. I took a great deal of joy in creating individual icing flowers and piping delicate pieces of lace for the wedding cakes of many friends as well as the creativity involved in making children's birthday cakes. Today, I enjoy baking, writing my family history for the next generations, and spending time with my grandchildren when they are in Brisbane.

My time at St Margaret's was so enjoyable. I loved every day of my school days. I am very grateful to my grandfather, my father and my mother for giving me the opportunity to attend St Margaret's and in turn thankful that our daughter, Leanne, was fortunate enough to obtain a scholarship to St Margaret's for her final two years of schooling. I was not a perfect student, but the occasional disorder mark and detention did me no harm. I learned about life and tried to always lead a good life in return. I have very fond memories of my teachers, Mrs Miller, Mrs Speight, Miss Rees, Miss Dyason to name a few. Of course, Sister Mary and Miss Wearin were held up on a higher level. I loved the company of the other girls, Roslyn Baker (nee Lewis) was a friend from early days; I was her bridesmaid in 1964, and she was my matron of honour in 1966. Both of us married at the School Chapel. I was thrilled when my daughter, Leanne, also chose to marry at the School Chapel in 1997.

1966
Kate Wark

I am currently very retired and enjoying a very busy life especially with two new knees. I am very involved with the Australian Women's Club London (a past President), walking, Bridge, Opera, birdwatching and many friends. I am hoping to travel home at the end of this year. Sorry I couldn’t be with you for the reunion.

After school, I attended The University of Queensland to study Medicine and graduated in 1973. I completed Anaesthetics training at many London hospitals including Royal London Hospital. I held Consultant posts at Guys Hospital and the London Chest Hospital Bethnal Green where I specialised in Cardiothoracic Anaesthesia and Intensive Care. I was very involved in teaching and training and became Regional Adviser for the Royal College of Anaesthetists. I retired in 2013 and love living in London.

I look back on my time as a very shy student and I know the school was responsible for making me the adult I am. It wasn't always easy as I was very average in many things. I am full of admiration for what the school has achieved and love to read the stories of current pupils.

1976
Susan Allton

After 25 years of consulting on major public infrastructure projects, my musing is that I'm now semi-retired. This is very good, as my wonderful Dutch partner of 18 years and I enjoy travelling (especially Australia and Europe) and volunteering. I'm a warden in our busy city Anglican Parish of Christ Church St Laurence where, among other things, I'm tasked with project managing various building and restoration projects on our heritage listed church and the parish's three other heritage registered buildings.

I studied at QUT – B. Bus Public Administration, major in journalism and UQ – Subjects in Masters Public Administration Electorate Research Officer for Federal Member for Petrie and Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs in Fraser's Liberal coalition government. Fraser lost to Hawke (ALP) in March 1983. Out of a job, I was phoned by the QEGB – remember it – the Queensland Electricity Generating Board – whose job was to build and run power stations throughout the state. This next bit I'm ashamed to say – for just over a year, I flew up and down the Queensland coast researching and writing socio-economic impact studies for future coastal coal fired power stations. Together with technical and environmental assessments submitted to the state government, these studies determined where three new coastal coal fired power stations would be built. I then had a three year contract as Research Assistant for Dr Peter Coaldrake, Head School of Administration (Business and Politics) Griffith University and ABC commentator for Queensland and Federal elections. On election nights in the olden days, I moved among four tele-operators who scrolled, counted votes in all seats and, depending on the percentage of votes counted per seat and the 'swing', I'd signal Peter so he could make his comments on live TV. So, I had to know every seat, when new parties were running in seats and if the swing margin was significant at certain points of the count. I also assisted in researching his book Working the System which was published later, after I'd moved to Sydney, and when I saw he named me in the acknowledgements, I said, “Thanks very much Peter, now I'll never be able to work in Queensland again.”

After Griffith University, I worked in the Brisbane City Council as Information Officer Corporate and special events with Lord Mayor's Office (Sallyanne Atkinson) during Expo 88, Brisbane The River City and the local heritage upgrade projects. Early 1989, I moved to Sydney to take on an inaugural role with the Federal Airports Corporation (FAC) as lead community and stakeholder relations, communication and media manager for Sydney Airport. FAC ran all the capital city and general aviation airports in Australia for its 10 year life before these airports were privatised. (FAC was distinct from Air Services which run the 'skies'). Best job I ever had. Seven years of adapting my PD according to the changing times and 'managing' community and stakeholder sentiment around doubling the size of the international terminal; helping steer the process of the EIS for the third runway (which included both the third runway and acknowledged the need for a second Sydney Airport at the already long identified site of Badgery's Creek); constructing the third runway amid 13 protests of up to 3,000 people a time; promoting among corporates and business the economic multiplier benefit effect that Sydney Airport provides to the local, regional and state economy; building relationships with local groups; and with all emergency agencies, developing multi-agency responses in the event of major disasters, i.e. crash of large aircraft into several buildings. (Sydney Airport is one of the closest capital airports to its city centre of any in the world.) Contracted to Tourism NSW for a few months in 1996. The 2000 Olympic Games was awarded to Sydney in 1993. I joined SOCOG (Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games) in January 1998 as Program Manager Communication. Things moved so fast and were exhausting. Like all 'OCOGs', SOCOG employees' salaries were paid by the Team Millenium Partners – the biggest international sponsors who commit multi-millions of dollars for several consecutive Games (venues built and transport planned were organised and paid for separately by the NSW government). Our Communication Division was responsible for encouraging community and business support for the Games along with other SOCOG Divisions especially Volunteers, Torch Relay, Media and Ticketing. A couple of us flew around Australia speaking at functions. I worked with Sydney CBD businesses to explain why their usual delivery roads and lanes would be cut off and why SOCOG was booking out their entire security and catering companies. Fun. But they got it and we helped them work around this. We needed to build the excitement, enthusiasm and hype for the Games so we could recruit the 40,000 volunteers needed for the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games and encourage people to buy tickets. I remember at the Closing Ceremony of the Sydney Olympic Games, the then President of the IOC stated 'Sydeney' was “the best Games ever”. It's not been said since. Our Communication Division wrote the post Games report. These reports are obligatory reading for each next host city. Good luck to Brisbane for 2032. In seeing the Olympic and Paralympic digital countdown clock in the Queen Street Mall, may I encourage your BOCOG that there is no time to lose on the above matters of building community and business support. After being one of about three folk who turned out the lights in SOCOG in early 2001, I mused about what to do next. Tired of the politiking in the predictable corporate communication life, I elected to establish my own stakeholder engagement consulting company. I work with tier one private construction companies (Thiess, John Holland, Laing O'Rourke etc) which design and construct major public infrastructure projects – motorways (large section of the Pacific Highway upgrade), rail (regional level crossing upgrades, Sydney Metro south west), train stations (Central Station Sydney upgrade, Transport Access Program across the Sydney network), airports (Sydney Airport International Terminal future plan; Port Macquarie Airport Masterplan and airport upgrade to jet status), tunnels (Lane Cove Tunnel) and buildings (University of Sydney). My project work is mainly based in Sydney and regional NSW and I've also worked in the NT (Darwin's Larapinta Defence Force Base).

Reflecting on the St Margaret’s experience, comradeship among fellow students, good, supportive and understanding teachers. I also loved debating and public speaking. Mrs Geise told me, “Susan, debating is a skill that will stay with you always.”

1976
Susan Hird (nee Henderson)

I am currently working as a Learning Support Teacher Aide at Prince of Peace Lutheran College in Everton Hills. I have been here for 20 years. I love working with the students that need the extra support to achieve their potential. Some days are challenging but the rewards of seeing growth is worth the heartache. I also play competitive netball at Downey Park on Saturdays for the Pine Hills Netball Club and also coach. I love gardening and get immense pleasure from being able to pick flowers and produce from my garden to share with friends. I worship at the Salvation Army at Stafford.

When I left school I went to QIT (now QUT) to study to be a radiographer. My year was the last of the cadets. We worked during the day and then went to QIT at night. In 1984 I packed my backpack and headed to England. I travelled and worked for three years before returning to Brisbane. I worked as a radiographer, waitress, au pair, ironing lady, ski instructor, ward clerk, tour guide and a number of other roles ... whatever I could do to fund the next round of travel. I married in 1997 and we have two wonderful girls, Emily (28) & Caitlin (26) who bring the greatest joy to my life. Emily, who is an Early Childhood teacher, married last year and lives in D'Aguilar. Caitlin is getting married next year, lives in Bundaberg and is the Manager of the Bundaberg Aquatic Centre. My husband Darren has his own home and garden maintenance business and we have a caravan that we are looking forward to taking away for some very long trips... picture "grey nomads" When I left school at 17, I really had no idea of the path that my life would take. Could I have made some better choices, chosen different paths along the way? Sure. But all those experiences have made me into the person I am today, and I can honestly look back and say it's been a great life and I am looking forward to the next chapters. Retirement (please soon!) and grandchildren.

I remember Sewing Club on Wednesday. What a great skill to have, it saved me a fortune because I was able to make my own wedding dress and countless other creations. I remember NOT having to wear gloves anymore! I remember with great joy the school musicals. What fabulous productions they were.

1986
Fiona James (nee Benson)

After four years of school nursing at Clayfield College, I decided I needed a change. For the past 18 months I have been working as an independent support worker for NDIS clients. I am fortunate to have great clients who mostly require domestic assistance (grocery shopping, meal preparation, laundry, ironing, change of bed linen, general tidying of their living spaces). I am finding it very rewarding and fulfilling work as I nudge closer to retirement.

After six years of boarding school, I commenced my nursing training in 1987 at Royal Brisbane Hospital and completed my training at Princess Alexandra Hospital in 1991. My first two years out of nursing training I worked at Greenslopes Repatriation Hospital in the medical respiratory ward. This was confronting work – caring for old diggers who were dying from lung cancer. Did you know they were issued cigarettes? During that time I met my now husband – he was an Army Officer. The relationship blossomed and I moved with him to Canberra to live. I then nursed in a Surgical ward at The Canberra Hospital – I found this was my type of nursing. It was busy, lots of variety with daily patient admissions and discharges and interesting surgery (colorectal, breast reductions, plastics surgery, burns, general surgery). From Canberra I travelled and lived in the UK for 18 months or so. It provided me with wonderful travel experiences with friends abroad. I returned home to attend to bridesmaid duties for school friend, Olivia Shearer. Then I became engaged to be with Ben. I moved to Townsville where he was posted. During this time I nursed in the Cardiothoracic unit at The Townsville Mater Hospital. After we were married in 1998, we had a posting to the Middle East. Ben was seconded to the United Nations as a Peacekeeper in the Golan Heights. We lived in Damascus, Syria, for six months and in Nahariya in Israel for six months. Wow – it was a surreal experience back then and we are so very sad to see what is happening now in the Middle East. After some travel through Canada, on our way home we posted to Townsville where we had both our boys. Then we were posted to Canberra for 12 months before a three year posting to Brisbane. It was great to be back in Brisbane especially when the boys were so young as we had family nearby (and grandparents). After a wonderful posting in Brisbane, we posted to Canberra (Ben deployed to Afghanistan for 10 months), then to the Carlisle, Pennsylvania, USA for 12 months, back to Canberra where I became a school nurse at Canberra Grammar School, then to Darwin for two years, then to Sydney for two years (school nurse at Cranbrook Junior School), then to Canberra (school nurse at Canberra Girls Grammar School) where Ben discharged from the Army after 33 years. Once our youngest completed his senior year in 2020, we moved to Brisbane (school nurse at Clayfield College) in 2021 for Ben's new job and to be closer to our aging parents. During that time we moved 18 times! It's great to be back in Brissy.

I feel fortunate to have learned to become resilient and independent during my six years of boarding school. This has certainly been put to the test as an Army Officer's wife and four overseas deployments. I am also grateful for the friendships and connections that I made during my six years at St Margarets. I will always treasure the opportunities that were given to me at St Margarets. It felt like an honour to play so many different sports which I cherished.

1986
Peta Bistany (nee Dee)

I currently work as a consultant, helping sports businesses with strategy and international development. This followed a career in professional sport in the United Kingdom, where I worked for the England and Wales Cricket Board (1996-1999), the Football Association (1999-2006) and the Premier League (2006-2022).

I completed degrees in Human Movement Studies and Psychology at UQ, thinking I would become a Sports Psychologist (I still don't know why I didn't pursue that very sensible path...) I dabbled in fitness training, retail management, and major event management and it was the latter that hooked me in. I love the thrill and the pressure of a deadline and live sport production. I moved to England on a two-year working/holiday visa in 1996, thinking I would return at the end. Alas, I landed a job at the England and Wales Cricket Board, organising the 1999 Cricket World Cup (which Australia won, of course!) and the rest is history. I met and married Karl and we have two sons (Harrison, 21 and Finlay, 19). Following my stint in cricket, I moved in the high-octane world of football (the soccer type), first organising England international matches then working as a Director at the Premier League for more than 15 years. It was amazing and I worked with incredible people who remain firm friends. They still call on me for consultancy work. We live in Ealing in West London and love the ease of travel that life in London affords. We spend as much time as we can skiing, boating and generally adventuring with friends and family. Please visit if you come to London! Everyone else does, so much so that Karl has named our home 'Australia House II' – just how I like it.

I still keep in touch with many of our 1986 year at St Margaret's and I am so thrilled that more than 70 people attended our 40 year reunion! What a testament to the great group of girls we had. St Margaret's instilled such a sense of belonging and made us well-rounded, well-adjusted young people, who value friends.

1986
Sally Quayle (nee Earnshaw)

I am currently volunteering at the Wesley Hospital as a 'Compassionate Companion', looking after vulnerable/at risk patients.

I worked in media until having children. I was a journalist and newsreader in radio, mostly as the breakfast news presenter for B105. I also did some sports reporting for Channel 9, and lifestyle shows on Channel 7. I am happily married and have two children, who went to St Margaret's and Churchie. During that time, I volunteered at both schools in various capacities. I really enjoy the arts, and have served on numerous fundraising committees including for the Institute of Modern Art, and the Mayo Arts Festival at St Margarets!

My time at St Margaret's was joyful! Our cohort was very friendly and inclusive. We are so proud of the fact that so many of us remain in contact today. My favourite subject at school was drama. We put on some spectacular performances in our day. In particular, our 'Blues Brothers' musical. Every single girl in our year who wanted to be was included. The extravagant (home made) costumes, the songs and the vibrant positive atmosphere had everyone in the school celebrating, and we still laugh about it decades later.

1996
Jennifer Thomas

I am a librarian by trade and currently manage a large team of library staff at Griffith University in Brisbane.

I went straight from St Margaret’s to university where I did an Arts degree. I still had no idea what I wanted to do after graduating so I went overseas for a few years where I temped and travelled. Many of my friends from St Margarets were around at this time and our friendships were forged even further. I returned to Brisbane where I went back to study Information Management, and moved into the library space which I love. I've worked in several libraries over the years including Queensland University of Technology, Griffith, State Library of Queensland and overseas at Ryerson University in Toronto. I transitioned into the management space and returned to uni to study Business Psychology – I'm quite comfortable with change and ambiguity! Personally, I never married or had kids, that hasn't happened for me yet, but life is busy and fulfilling in myriad other ways, including my friendships – still my closest friends today are from my St Margaret’s days.

Honestly I never thought about high school much until the last few years where I've found myself reflecting on it more. I am a huge advocate for education and I think St Margaret’s positively impacted my life in ways I didn't appreciate at the time. We were cared about and encouraged. Working in the education sector, I can appreciate how that's not everyone's experience, and what a privilege that is.

1996
Kylie Ryan (nee Hunter)

I'm currently back living Brisbane for the past 15 years, married and have a daughter, Scarlett, at St Margaret's in Year 8 and a son, Hunter, in Year 6. Currently working in risk and compliance.

I spent almost 10 years in London where I qualified as a forensic accountant. I specialised in fraud, bribery and corruption and travelled to developing countries. With the investigations I got to see some amazing places like Libya and Venezuela.

I had so many amazing St Margaret’s experiences but my favourite things have been the beautiful friendships I still have.

2013
Xenia Puskarz Thomas

Mezzo-soprano and Old Girl Xeni Puskarz Thomas (’13) has been announced as the recipient of the prestigious 2026 Dame Heather Begg Memorial Award. She will receive AUD $25,000 in funding to support the next stage of her artistic development. Anyone following her career will know that Xenia is a fast-rising star on the international stage.

On receiving the award, Xenia said she was deeply honoured and very grateful for the support:

“It has affirmed the work and dedication I have put into my training so far and gives me a strong sense of encouragement in my commitment to this craft.”

A graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University and The Juilliard School, as well as a Melba Artist in 2019, Xenia was a Young Artist in the Bayerische Staatsoper Opera Studio in Munich for the 2023–2024 seasons. Now based in New York, she is establishing herself as a freelance artist and cementing her place on the world stage.

2014
Annabelle Traves

In May, the St Margaret’s community came together for Classics in the Cathedral, a stunning evening held in the soaring acoustics of St John’s Cathedral. The evening showcased the school’s choristers, band and string ensembles to an adoring audience while providing students with the chance to build their confidence through live performance.
 
It was an absolute delight to see Old Girl Annabelle Traves (’14) as the evening’s guest soloist. Annabelle performed two exquisite pieces on violin, accompanied by our Strings Coordinator Mr Jonny Ng on piano.

2016 & 2015

Wallis Russell (’16) & Lily Alton OLY (’15)

Old Girl rowers continue to shine on the world stage! As part of the Australian Women’s Eight crew, Lily Alton OLY (’15) backed up her Gold in World Cup 1 in Seville with a Silver in World Cup III in Lucerne. The Women’s Eight were declared the 2026 World Cup series champions in the event. Lily has been touted as one of Queensland’s ‘brightest hopes for Brisbane 2032 Olympics.’

Also at World Cup III, Old Girl Wallis Russell (’16) celebrated Gold in the PR3 Women’s Pair and Bronze in the PR3 mixed Coxed Four. What an outstanding achievement from our rowing alumnae!

Vale Damon Stokes
St Margaret’s Rowing Coach

Damon Stokes died in May 2026 after a courageous battle with cancer. People who worked with or were trained by Damon remember him as a dedicated coach and enthusiastic about all things related to rowing. His generosity and willingness to help, advise, coach and encourage will be long remembered.

He was passionate about rowing and instilled that passion into the girls of the St Margaret’s rowing community. Such was his passion, that he did help out St Margaret’s in the early 1990s while he was coaching with Brisbane State High School (BSHS). He volunteered to coach the St Margaret’s Year 10 First IV in 1994.

Prior to that, he was always available for advice and support, as some State High girls were rowing out of the same GPS Old Boys Shed as St Margaret’s while the BSHS pontoon was being repaired. We all shared the same Milton reach of the river for coaching, and it was very collegiate.

As Tony Elliot, the grandfather of St Margaret’s rowing remembers, “he co-coached the St Margaret’s First VIII in 1995, 1996 and 1997 with me. The 1997 crew was the first St Margaret’s crew to win the annual BSRA Head of the River”. He was appointed as the first Rowing Co-ordinator in 1997 – the year rowing became an official school sport. He resigned at the end of 2000 to take up a coaching position at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.

“Damon was an excellent motivator and rowing coach and was greatly appreciated by all for helping establish the early years of St Margaret’s rowing”.