Meet the OLA Committee

Anna Wilson (Murray, 1990)

OLA PRESIDENT

After Year 12 Anna went on a GAP year to the UK, living and working in boarding schools. Once she returned, she completed a Bachelor of Education at Deakin University and started teaching at Melbourne Grammar School, Grimwade House and Lauriston.  

 Anna has three gorgeous children - Jack 18, Maddy 15 and Bella 14. Since having the children, Anna has worked at Breast Cancer Network Australia in Corporate Development and now continues volunteering at BCNA and in the kids' schools.  Anna says she loved her time at Lauriston and is very proud to be a current parent (both her girls are at Lauriston). She joined the OLA Committee to give back and to be part of a group of passionate Lauristonians who want to engage the wider OLA community.

Rachel Irons (Polke, 1989)

OLA FELLOWSHIP AND FINANCIAL SUB-COMMITTEE AND SCHOOL COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE

Since graduating Lauriston in 1989 Rachel studied Arts Law and practiced as a Barrister. She also studied Interior Design and Visual Arts and moved into Property Development. She has been a Director of her own business Spring Developments for 30 Years with her husband Peter. 
Together they have raised two daughters Emily (2nd year University) and Jessica Irons (Year 12 Lauriston). 
Rachel is passionate about the Arts and Education and has been involved with the Lauriston Arts Association for 6 years, being in the role of President for 3 years.  She looks forward to working together with fellow OLA alumnae and representing the OLA in the wider community.  Rachel says Lauriston gave her the confidence to achieve her goals and stand up for her beliefs.  She is also excited to engage with young alumnae to help them achieve their best beyond the school gates.

Hibah Jamal (2015)

OLA GENERAL COMMITTEE

Hibah finished Year 12 at Lauriston in 2015. She studied Commerce at Melbourne University and now works at Evans and Partners in Private Wealth, working with the family office and not for profit clients.

Hibah is a new member of the committee in 2022 and is keen to get involved in the school community having only been at Lauriston for a short time after moving to Melbourne from the UK.  

Hibah's skills in the finance sector will greatly support our future investment decisions and will be working with the finance subcommittee to advance our association.

 Alex Harvey (2002)

OLA GENERAL COMMITTEE

After the completion of her IB and a Bachelor of Arts at The University of Melbourne, Alex spent two semesters at La Universita per Stranieri in Siena, Italy. 

Alex chose to pursue a career in the corporate world of media with roles at APN Outdoor and Southern Cross Austereo. She is currently working in the family business, an engineering consultancy. Alex has fond memories of her time at Lauriston and joined the OLA committee in 2017. 

She says Lauriston helped her become the woman she is today, and her commitment to the OLA is a reflection of her gratitude to her teachers, peers and the School. She also says being part of the OLA is a way of giving back to the Lauriston community and to reconnect with like-minded individuals.

Jacqui Jiang (2015)

OLA YOLs Portfolio

Jacqui graduated in 2015 and is grateful for the opportunities, friendships and supportive teachers at Lauriston. She joined the OLA in 2020 and is one of the main contributors to the Young Old Lauristonians portfolio. Jacqui is currently studying Medicine at the University of Melbourne. 

Amanda Smith (1993)

OLA General Committee

After finishing Year 12, Amanda completed a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws at Monash University. She then joined the graduate program at Telstra and spent the next 16 years moving through a variety of sales, management and operational roles. 

Amanda has three lovely children, Alice (who started in Year 5 at Lauriston last year), Lucy, 9 and 5 year-old James. 

In addition to being a member of the OLA Committee, Amanda also volunteers at Lucy's school where she is School Council President. 

Amanda is passionate about Lauriston, (particularly Kirkhope!) and loved the opportunities and experiences the School provided her. 

She was inspired to join the committee after having met OLA President Anna Wilson (Murray, 1990) at a previous school. Amanda is also keen to ensure that a strong OLA community continues into the future.

 Sarah Smith (1989)

OLA COMMUNITY RELATIONS

After graduation in 1989, Sarah completed a Science degree (Hons) at Monash University and did her Honours year at the Baker Health and Diabetes Institute. 

Sarah took the opportunity of travelling overseas after completing her degree and returned home to work in scientific research at Fauldings Pharmaceuticals. During this time Sarah completed a Graduate Diploma in Business Management at Monash, and decided to switch careers to work in the family hotel business. 

Sarah has 3 daughters and continues to work part time for the family. Sarah joined the OLA because with three daughters and three nieces currently at Lauriston, she would like to get more involved with the School and help support the growth of the OLA.

Committee Roles

If you are an Old Lauristonian and would like to join the OLA Committee, please email ola@lauriston.vic.edu.au with your expression of interest.

OLA Portfolio Groups

The OLA Committee recognises the importance of providing wonderful and diverse opportunities for alumnae to stay connected with each other, and to be involved in many ways, with the School.  

The Committee focuses on the growth of the following portfolios: 

•  Business Networking 
• Community Relations 
• Chapter Relations 
• Communications 
• Young Old Lauristonians (YOLs) 

 If you would like to contribute to the growth of our outstanding alumnae program, please email ola@lauriston.vic.edu.au.

Past OLA Presidents

1914-1915                         Miss Margaret Irving 1916                                          Miss Lilian Irving 1917                                      Miss Daisee Booth 1918                                             Leura Andrews 1919                                 Ruby Stewart/Strahan 1920                                                 Mary Barker 1921                                                  Myria Sykes 1922                                           Beatrice Gilbert 1923                                      Elizabeth Kirkhope 1924                                                  Enid Gilbert 1925                                                    Amy Syme 1926                                                       Jo Gilder 1927                                               Daisee Booth 1928                                               Nora Bowden 1929                                            Beatrice Gilbert 1930                                              Mary Kirkhope 1931                                     Mary Merrifield 1932                                            Mary Lowe 1933                                   Betty Thompson 1934                                              Marjorie Irving 1935                                    Kathleen Walter 1936                                      Dorothy Player 1937                                             Edna Lowe 1938                             Dorothy Wellington 1939-40                          Jo Cuming (Gilder) 1941-42                     Amy Johnston (Syme) 1943-44            Phyllis Matthews (Barkley) 1945-46                                 Judith Phillips 1947-48                Elsa Hallenstein (Marks) 1949-50                            Ida Aitken (Rudd) 1951-52                         Elizabeth Kirkhope 1953-54                          Edna Wark (Lowe) 1955-56                     Mary Halliday (Lowe) 1957-58            Dorothy Steel (Wellington) 1959-60                  Elieen McFarlan (Ward) 1961                                       Gladys Davies 1962-63                        Stella Lancy (Ward) 1964-65                  June Alenson (Ramsay) 1966-67                              Frances Mackay 1968-69                     Mary Halliday (Lowe) 1970-71            Lilian Michael (Fitzpatrick) 1972-73           Margaret Sloan (Browning) 1974-75                   Wendy Coghill (Foote) 1976-77             Lilian Michael (Fitzpatrick) 1978                                   Janette Ray (Lee) 1979                                              Pat Grace 1980-81                    Gail Tulloch (Seyforth) 1982-83                       Margaret Conigrave 1984-85                                   Jane Manton 1986-87          Rosemary Matthews (Miller) 1988                          Gail Tulloch (Seyforth) 1989                     Dinny Downie (Gillespie) 1990-91                      Anthea Hone (Milne) 1992-93                       Sally Wallis (Mason) 1994-95                           Judy Rex (Barrett) 1996-97         Jenny Gaylard (Plenderleith) 1998-99                 Helen Gibbons (Officer) 2000-11              Vicki Redwood (Canning) 2012-15                             Prudence Barker 2016                                            Kate Wipfli 2017                  Kate Wipfli & Melinda Rea 2018                                           Melinda Rea 2019 - current                 Anna Wilson (Murray)