Loreto alumni begin new chapter in Tasmania
By Heather Excell
“There is nothing more exciting than when you meet a fellow Loreto girl.”
These words, shared by the group’s founder, Jody Halmarick, captured the spirit behind the inaugural luncheon of Loreto Alumni in Tasmania.
Held at the University Club in Hobart on 10 August, the gathering marked the beginning of a community of women who all attended Loreto schools across Australia and now call Tasmania home. With no Loreto schools in Tasmania, the new association provides a way for alumni to maintain their connection to the wider Loreto family.
The idea for the Tasmanian branch began with a chance meeting between two women at a gathering in Hobart.
“I was talking to a girl about who knows what when I said ‘well the nuns wouldn’t approve of that, would they?’ and she laughed and said ‘what nuns are those?’ I said ‘Loreto nuns’ and she said, ‘Really? I went to Loreto!’” Jody explained. “We both produced our widest smiles because we had met what I always believe to be ‘family’.”
The encounter led to a close friendship and eventually to conversations with Loreto Sister, Deirdre Brown CJ, about finding other Loreto women living in Tasmania and establishing an association.
With Sr Deirdre’s encouragement, the idea grew into Loreto Alumni in Tasmania, with Jody serving as Founder and Coordinator, alongside assistant Margaret Brain and Secretary Carmel Fader. Sr Deirdre serves as Patron with Fr Brian Nichols as Vice Patron and Sr Margie Finlay as Assistant Patron. The group is also supported by their Federation President and Coordinator, Celia Sheldon.
“So far there are ten Loreto girls we have located here in Tasmania,” Jody said, with hopes that membership will grow as the word spreads.
The group aims to provide an opportunity for Loreto alumni to reconnect, build friendships and celebrate their shared experiences.
“Families get together for a good chin wag and to share a meal,” Jody said.
That sense of family was evident as the group celebrated the 90th birthday of their patron, Sr Deirdre. Loreto women travelled from the mainland to join Archbishop Tony Ireland, Fr Brian Nichols, former Governor of Tasmania Barbara Baker and her husband, and parishioners for a birthday Mass at St Pius X Church in Taroona.
Parishioners sang the well-known hymn written by Sr Deirdre—‘Come As You Are’—in her honour, while the Taroona choir welcomed the Loreto guests by singing ‘Queen of Loreto’.
For those gathered, the celebrations marked the first step towards what they hope will become an annual opportunity to gather, strengthen friendships and discover more Loreto girls across the island.
Alumni of Loreto schools who would like to be a part of the group are invited to contact Jody Halmarick via email: loretoalumni.tas@gmail.com