Theme: The Spark and The Fire

Our theme The Spark and The Fire was all about having a great idea then having the courage and patience to bring that idea to life. Our speakers concentrated on positive and encouraging messages of support for our students, I think one of the best moments I can remember is when speaker Layne Beachley said "your fears drive you towards your goals".

52 High Street
Southport, Queensland, 4215
Australia

Middle School Amnesty Club

Middle School representatives of the St Hilda’s Amnesty International Club, host a forum focusing on Human Rights actions underway in the school.

Sister Squad 101

Sister Squad 101 is made up of three Year 12 students from St Hilda's School on the Gold Coast.

Alice Mabin

Alice is a freelance photographer who was born and bred on the land. Her passion is capturing images that represent the grassroots of rural Australia. “I am always looking to capture the essence of the Outback and the rural industry and way of life – to evoke feelings and emotions in people that view my pictures which encourages them to feel a sense of being here, smelling the smells, or hearing the noises associated with a particular image,” says Alice.

Alison Robinson

Alison was born and educated in New Zealand, training as a primary school teacher. She has taught, or been engaged in educational administration, in New Zealand, South Africa and Australia. Alison is currently the President of Soroptimist International of Gold Coast, a voluntary women’s movement which works to transform the lives of women and girls through awareness, advocacy and action.

Caralee Caldwell

Cookbook author and blogger, Caralee Caldwell recounts her personal journey about cutting out all processed food and living a real food lifestyle. She shares strategies that are down to earth and honest for people who want to simplify their relationship with food.

Dr Jenine Beekhuyzen

Jenine (aka Jewella) is a social entrepreneur and the Founder of the Tech Girls Movement, a non-profit to inspire girls into technology careers. She is also a Vice Chancellors Research Fellow at the University of Southern Queensland. Jenine serves in voluntary roles at the United Nations and has research collaborations in Europe. Jenine wants to encourage women to go into the field of technology.

Dr Paula Gerber

Paula is the author and editor of numerous books and articles covering Surrogacy and Human Rights. Paula is currently the lead investigator on an Australian Research Council funded empirical project entitled 'Closing the Gap on indigenous Birth Registration'. Paula is an internationally recognised expert in human rights law and speaks about this passionately.

Dr Teresa Withers

Dr Withers is a graduate of the University of Queensland, graduating with first class honors in 1987. She completed her high school career on Kwajalein Atoll, a missile tracking station on the central Pacific. She commenced her postgraduate medical career at the Royal Brisbane Hospital and entered general surgical training in 1991. She commenced training in Neurosurgery in 1994 her training was completed at the Prince of Wales in Sydney. Teresa was the first female Queensland Medical graduate to complete training as a neurosurgeon in 1998.

Dr Tina Fleming

Tina is an Obstetrian and thinks it is the most amazing job in the whole universe. Everyday I feel privileged to be able to do what I do.

Elly Domrow

Elly is currently in Year 11 at St Hilda’s School, Southport.

Genevieve Windley

Genevieve Windley is a mother of two boys, a farmer’s wife and a senior manager with the Scenic Rim Regional Council. Her work focuses on the areas of Community and Cultural Development; Economic Development and Tourism; Libraries; and Customer Service. Early in her career, Genevieve trained and practiced as a solicitor. Genevieve and her husband operate Kengoon Farming, focusing on vegetable production. Genevieve is also a director of the Kalbar and District Community Bank.

Glen Gooding

Glen is the Business Unit Executive of IBM’s Security Services Division. He has the responsibility for bringing IBM’s world-class services business to the forefront in Australia and New Zealand. A leadership role that encompasses: Sales; Marketing; Consulting & Systems Integration; and Solution Design. Previously, he was the Director of IBM’s Institute for Advanced Security. Glen brings over 25 years of industry based experience to the IBM team, holding leadership roles at business and development levels both in Australia and in the United States. He is an IBM Certified Executive IT Specialist and also an Open Group Distinguished IT Specialist.

Heidi Monsour

Heidi left Brisbane after university to work abroad in different sports marketing roles including contract work for the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games, 1999 Rugby World Cup Wales, and the Sydney 2000 Olympic & Paralympic Games. In 2001, full of excitement, Heidi returned to the city she loves, Brisbane, to expand her horizons.

Kimi Nam

Kimi Nam, a Year 12 international student studying at St Hilda’s School, was born in Seoul, Korea. She started at St Hilda’s in Year 8 and is now trying to ‘survive’ Year 12 (Kimi’s expression). She has become very passionate about the scope of pharmacy as a career and next year plans to continue her studies at an Australian university.

Laura Daquino

Laura Daquino is a St Hilda’s Old Girl and Journalist for Business News Australia, who specialises in writing about the startup ecosystem, entrepreneurship and big ideas. She is especially passionate about female and youth entrepreneurship, applying this passion to help organise and host the annual Gold Coast and Brisbane Young Entrepreneur Awards. Laura spends her days interviewing inspiring and innovative people, pretending that speaking to someone like Erin Brockovich is work, when really it’s just a whole lot of fun.

Layne Beachley

Layne Beachley is widely regarded as the most successful female surfer in history. The only surfer, male or female, to claim six consecutive world titles (1998-2003), Layne then went onto win a 7th world title in 2006 before retiring from the ASP World Tour in 2008. Not only is Layne a world champion surfer she is an inspirational speaker and a champion for the education of girls.

Libby Sander

Libby Sander is the Founder & CEO of the Future of Work Project. Founder of Rethink and Past Chair of Goldspaces, a not-for-profit company activating vacant retail spaces with creative projects on the Gold Coast. Libby is currently undertaking doctoral research at Griffith University and works with clients such as Microsoft Europe, Lend Lease and the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation.

Melissa Measday

I am a mum of two children who wanted to create a more healthy lifestyle for my family.

Monica Liebenow

In 2008, graphic designer Monica Liebenow together with her chiropractor (now husband) Phil Barham, designed a unique range of stick figure character stickers around those typically Aussie family member personality traits and the iconic ‘My Family’ range of car stickers was born.

Roger Christie

Roger Christie is Managing Director of Social2Business Pty Limited, a company he founded in 2013 with the intention of building Australian business’ proficiency in the use of social principles, data and technologies to improve business outcomes. With almost a decade’s experience across traditional, social and digital communication and consulting, Roger understands the challenge facing many organisations in realising the full potential of doing business in the digital age.

Ruby Hutchison

My name is Ruby Hutchison and I am a Year 9 student at St Hildas School.

Sasha Khmelevskaya

I am a Year 12 Student, my life experiences and challenges that I have had to face and go through since I was born till now.

Skye Anderton

Sky Anderton is Ruby Olive’s Chief Dreamer. Her colourful imagination, thirst for travel and passion for designing beautiful things gave wings to her dream and in 2010m Ruby Olive was born. Skye’s been around the block a few times. She has over 14 years of experience in the fashion accessory industry with eight of those years spent working as a designer, product developer and buyer. Ruby Olive is the namesake of Skye’s adorable grandmother. This journey has been dedicated to her. Skye’s commitment and determination to get her ideas out to the public, is exceptionally inspirational.

Tylah Rose

Tylah Rose – Singer Songwriter, Performer and Recording Artist. Aged 13, has performed at Movie World, A’Capella and Cabaret shows, Musicals, Indie bands also interstate and internationally in Asia. Currently studying contemporary voice at Queensland Conservatorium of Music, she achieved national songwriting status winning Songs Alive ‘Acoustic Song of the Year’ at APRA, Sydney earlier this year for her first song ‘Take A Breath’. New song ‘Poppies’ led her to co-write with music greats John Foreman and Marcia Hines for Music Australia. Their song ‘Gold’ will be released in July. In a few weeks, Tylah will head to Sydney to record and work with US Music Producer Stevie Bensusen.