FROM THE PRINCIPAL - Academy of Mary Immaculate

Queen’s Birthday Honours List – Merle Gilbo
The Academy of Mary Immaculate community congratulates Past Pupil, Merle Gilbo, on being
awarded an OAM in the recent Queen’s Birthday Honours List. Merle was a student of the
Academy during the 1940’s and made a distinguished contribution in the area of Science. Her
OAM recognized her for the following:
“ For Service to Science as a biochemist and to the community.”
Merle is a very active Past Pupil and is currently Vice President of the Academy
Alumnae Committee. The Academy Mission Statement describes Mercy women as those who:
“Possess a sense of social responsibility as caring and compassionate carriers of the Mercy
tradition. Their spirituality leads them to live faith –filled active lives of service to others”
Congratulations Merle – a true woman of mercy!!
MEDAL (OAM) OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA IN THE GENERAL DIVISION 140 Miss Catherine Merle GILBO,
2/26 Ford Street, Ivanhoe Vic 3079
For service to science as a biochemist, and to the community.
Biochemist, Commonwealth Serum Laboratories (CSL), from 1951 until her retirement in 1993.
Member, CSL `25ERS Club', since its inception; also holds executive roles.
Coordinator of the Liturgy Group and Parish representative in interfaith and inter-parish activities; Catholic Parish of
Ivanhoe; since 1951; Member, since 1951.
Member, Banyule Interfaith/Intercultural Network, since 2009.
Reader/Minister of Communion at weekly Masses, Ivanhoe Mary Immaculate, for many years; Member, since 1951;
lifetime parishioner.
Catholic representative, Ivanhoe Churches Together Committee, for 6 years.
Library volunteer, Mary Immaculate Primary School, since 1995.
Current Vice-President, Past Pupils’ Committee, Academy of Mary Immaculate Secondary College.
Editor, Pallottine family newsletter, since 1968.
Representative, Pallottine International Congress in Rome, 2010; Poland, 2005.
Volunteer, Pallotti College Millgrove, for over 30 years.
Volunteer, 'In home service', Ivanhoe Yarra Plenty Library, since 1995; Member, since 1994.
Zone Leader, BNY 9 and BNY 25 Neighbourhood Watch, 1989-2000; Area Coordinator, 2000-2008.
Newsletter Editor/Fundraiser, Macleod Community Support, Southern Cross Care, since 1995.
Member, Cheshire Victorian Homes Foundation, Ryder-Cheshire Australia Victoria Branch, for many years.
From 1957 to 1961 at CSL, new insights into the funnel-web spider venom were gleaned through the efforts of Dr
Saul Wiener MB BS (Melb 1947), PhD (Melb 1952) MD (Melb 1960) FRACP and his collaborators though they were
not able to find either an antivenin or a drug that would neutralise the venom. In 1964, two other CSL workers,
biochemists Merle Gilbo and Norman Coles, published details of their isolation of what was considered to be
the main toxin in Funnel-web venom.
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL
Parents’ Association Confectionary Drive – May 30 th to June 28 th
Students may return the money and/or chocolates as follows:
a) If all chocolates have been sold the money can be placed, in the envelope provided with the student’s
name, homeroom and amount enclosed, in the “Chocolate Box” in the Student Office.
b) If students wish to return chocolates or obtain additional boxes of chocolates, this will be done in the
Murray Room between 8.20am & 8.50am on the following dates:
Thursday June 23 rd &
Tuesday, June 26 th
Students are asked not to return partially sold boxes of chocolates to the Student Office or to their Homeroom Teacher.
A reminder that all money is due back at the College by Tuesday, June 28 th .
Upcoming dates - Term 3
Monday, July 18 th
Staff Professional Development Day – no classes.
Tuesday, July 19 th
Classes commence for all students (Day 7 of the Timetable).
Thursday, August 4 th Parent/ Teacher Interviews for Years 11 & 12.
Tuesday, September 1 st Parent/ Teacher Interviews for Years 7 to 10.
Academy of Mary Immaculate
Mercy Secondary Education Inc. A0035660B
88 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy 3065, Telephone: (03) 9419 3044 Fax: (03) 9419 3885, Email: academy @academy.vic.edu.au