Tartan NewsLucinda Giblett (1998)Many years of study and travel followedLucinda’s five-year stint at PLC as a boardingstudent, but she always felt a specialconnection to the apple orchards she grewup with in Manjimup, WA.A turning point came in 2008, when herfather announced that the family weregoing to try their hand at organic farming.Having long been a supporter of engagingin healthy and sustainable activities forpeople and the natural environment, shewas quickly open to the possibility of afuture in Manjimup.Helen Gianotti currently volunteers as a KingsPark guide.Helen Gianotti (Linton 1969)Helen has always enjoyed volunteering,and has committed her time to Kindy,the PLC Auxiliary, Parents’ and OldCollegians’ committees, rowing andswimming – anything her four childrenwere involved in.Once her children left school, shedecided to do something for herself.It was while walking the family dogthrough Kings Park, that she thoughtto become a Kings Park guide. Afterseveral months of education andtraining, Helen officially became a guidein 2008.“Not only have I learned about thehistory of Kings Park and botanicgardens, I have also gained moreknowledge of our State’s history andNoongar culture, particularly in Perth, aswell as basic botanical and geographicalinformation,“ she said.Helen very much enjoys volunteeringat Kings Park. “Visitors to our park,no matter if they are from overseas orinterstate, always comment on howlucky we are to have such a beautiful,clean and vibrant park to enjoy,“ shesaid.She highly recommends Kings Parkvolunteering – either as a guide or evenassisting in the plant nursery or with theup-keep of the gardens.Currently enjoying her fourth year ofcountry living, Lucinda is passionate aboutorganic farming. “Organic farming is onecrucial step toward treating our worldholistically – as a sum of living parts that areinterlinked and interdependent,“ she said.With a strong desire to contribute to thebetterment of global agricultural issues,Lucinda recently founded a not-for-profitincorporated charity, Stellar Violets Inc,named to honour her grandmothers.Stellar Violets aims to create a culture andcommunity that is resilient and supportiveof life for future generations. Lucinda iscurrently focussed on the organisation’sStellar Violets Life Library, Living Museumand Gallery projects.The organisation is seeking majorsponsorship, donations, and key peoplewith the skills, support and dedication tobring this unique project to life. Pleaseget in touch if you, or someone you knowwants to contribute to something that willbe here long after we are gone.Mona Rankin (Nash 1948)Lucinda Giblett returned to Manjimup to assist withher family’s organic apple orchard. She has recentlystarted her own charity.80th Birthday CelebrationMona Rankin (Nash 1948) celebrated her80th birthday with a party on 1 April thisyear. She was joined by several lifelong friendsfrom PLC. Grae Dack (Fletcher 1948) visitedfrom Melbourne for the occasion and PamCunningham (Foreman 1948) and MargaretMartyr (Dreghorn 1948) also attended.38
Judith Curphey OAM (Oliver 1946)Judith founded the Australian Girls Choir 27 years ago, a groupbest known for its part in a Qantas television advertisement. Nowin her 80s, she remains actively involved with the choir in her roleas Artistic Director.The Choir provides opportunities to sing for girls 5 years old andupwards. With classes having commenced in Perth this year, theChoir is now nation-wide.The Choir has sung for many well-known Australian artistsincluding Olivia Newton-John, Hugh Jackman, John Farnham andJessica Mauboy. It also performed for Oprah Winfrey on her recentAustralian tour.Judith says she was most influenced by Dr Summers when at PLCas she always believed that young women should be encouragedto achieve whatever they chose to do.She is very proud of what she has achieved with the Choir,especially seeing the girls form lifelong relationships and sharingtheir love of singing and performing.Judith Curphey received an Order of Australia for her service to music,particularly her work with the Australian Girls Choir.Louise Furniss (Morey 1972)Louise has been fortunate to travel toZimbabwe this year with a Christian medicalteam for the second year in a row. CosmosHealthCare, an international health anddevelopment organisation based in Perthsends two teams overseas every year toprovide free medical clinics in rural villageswhere people traditionally have very littleaccess to quality health care. Louise’s rolein these expeditions is as an educator andgeneral assistant.Some villagers walk up to 20km and mayhave to wait up to five hours to be seenby medical staff. This year Louise broughtsewing kits and fabric with her for the locals,so that they could sew bags whilst waitingto be seen. These sewing sessions were aterrific success and the local nurse hopesthe sewing groups will continue. “They area great way of the community meetingin an informal way and being able to airproblems and give each other support. Italso provides an opportunity for health andlife skills education and discussion in a nonthreateningenvironment,“ Louise said.Louise Furniss started a sewing group initiative with local villagers during a recent charity tripto Zimbabwe.39