People behind the awards

St Mary’s College Prize Giving Evening

The following awards celebrate and acknowledge our Presentation Sisters, past teachers, staff and students, and many amazing people who continue to be connected to the St Mary’s College community and our journey. We remember them and honour their legacy with these awards.

We thank each of them for their wonderful contributions to St Mary’s College.

Sister Doreen Williams

Sister Doreen Williams was a past pupil and teacher at St Mary’s College. She was Head of the Junior School from 1972 until 1975. Sister Doreen returned to St Mary’s in 1993 to work in the role of Pastoral Care until 2004. Sister Doreen was highly regarded for her warmth, candour and down to earth qualities.

Sister Sarah Hogan

Sister Sarah Hogan was a teacher in the Junior School at St Mary’s College. She was the Junior School Boarders’ Mistress and taught sewing in the Senior School. After retiring from teaching, she administered Maryknoll Spirituality Centre, Blackmans Bay.

Sister Marilyn Fryett

Sister Marilyn Fryett became a student at St Mary’s College in 1950. As a Presentation Sister and teacher, she spent 24 years at the College in various roles. These included teacher of Religious Education, English, Speech and Drama, and Health and Personal Development. As well as teaching in the Senior School, Sister Marilyn was also Head of Junior School and represented the Sisters on the Finance Advisory Board. Sister Marilyn is well known for her serenity, quiet calmness and attention to detail.

Sister Joseph McVilly

Sister Joseph McVilly is an ‘Original’. She taught in both the Junior and Senior School, specialising in English as a Second Language and Special Education. She began work with refugees in the 1990s and has helped resettle many families. Sister Joseph was highly regarded for her energy and sense of social justice.

Sister Gabrielle Morgan

Sister Gabrielle Morgan is an ‘Original’. Sister Gabrielle taught at St Mary’s College, St Brigid’s New Norfolk and was Principal at Corpus Christi. In 1998 Sister Gabrielle became the Pastoral Administrator of Goodwood-Lutana Parish for 11 years and is highly regarded for her drive and commitment and her interest in spirituality for all. Sister Gabrielle is the Congregational Leader of the Presentation Sisters in Tasmania.

Mother Ellen Murphy

The Mother Ellen Murphy Award for Service is named after the Presentation Sister who, along with eight other Sisters from Ireland, started St Mary’s College in 1868. She was the founding Principal of the College from 1868-1880. Mother Ellen is remembered for her tenacity, resilience and dedication.

Sister Barbara Amott

Sister Barbara Amott began teaching at St Mary’s College in 1952 and taught Religious Education, Latin, Science and Mathematics. Sister Barbara also taught in the Junior School, was Presentation Congregational Leader and was Principal of St Mary’s College from 1979-1990. Sister Barbara is highly regarded for her astuteness and her long and fruitful term as Principal.

Gillian Biscoe

Gillian Biscoe, an alumna of St Mary’s College, has held several chief executive positions and is on the Tasmanian Honour Role of Women. In 2010 Gillian was awarded the Sidney Sax medal for her outstanding contribution to Australia’s health sector. Gillian established the award to encourage students who have demonstrated resilience and perseverance.

Lehene Chung

The Lehene Chung Humanities Book Prize is sponsored by journalist and author Helene Chung to imbue students with her sister’s love of books. Gifted as a pianist, Lehene relished St Mary’s College piano lessons with Mother Dymphna. Matriculation led to roles at Hobart’s State Library, Melbourne’s ABC Library and Melbourne University’s Baillieu Library. After obtaining a Bachelor of Arts of the Open University and a Diplomate in Librarianship of North London University, Lehene enjoyed life as a librarian in London until her death at 57 in 2001. She was a beautiful, quiet, gentle and generous soul.

 John Martin

The John Martin Humanities Book Prize for a student studying at UTAS is sponsored by journalist Helene Chung in part fulfilment of her late husband’s wish to ‘give something back to the University of Tasmania’. They met in an English Literature lecture in 1963, shared their History honours class and, years later, in 1976, fell in love, when the ex-St Mary’s College girl interviewed the older, ex-St Virgil’s College boy on ABC TV’s This Day Tonight. Helene’s memoirs Gentle John: My Love My Loss and, especially, Lazy Man in China reveal his ironic, self-deprecating humour.

Giovanna Giana

The Giovanna Giana Award for LOTE (languages other than English) was established in memory of an alumna and teacher at St Mary’s College. Giovanna taught Religious Education, English, HaSS, Italian and was also a Year Coordinator. Gio is remembered for her love of life, compassion, warmth, loyalty, sense of fun and pride in her Italian heritage.

Mrs Ann Stanfield

Mrs Ann Stanfield taught at St Mary’s College for 28 years. Ann taught all grades in the Junior School. She was the first Lay Head of the Junior School in 1979, Deputy Principal in 1996 and the first Lay Principal in 1998. Ann is highly regarded for her compassion, warmth and total commitment to her work at St Mary’s College.

Sister Majella Kelly

Sister Majella Kelly was a student and teacher at St Mary’s College. Sister Majella taught Science and was Principal of St Mary’s College from 1991-1993. Sister Majella is highly regarded for her strength of character, incisive wit and love of learning.

Nano Nagle

The Nano Nagle Head Prefect Leadership Award is named after the foundress of the Presentation Sisters. A strong and courageous woman, Nano is remembered for her resilience, simplicity, service, hospitality, compassion and sense of social justice for all.

Sister Ona Kaukenas

Sister Ona Kaukenas was Principal of St Mary’s College from 1994-1998. Sister Ona was a talented artist and is remembered for her kindness, true goodness, humility and gentleness.

Celeste Quinn, Alexandra Pickering and Esmeralda Heseltine

The Rising Star Award is sponsored by students from the graduating year of 1992. It is given in memory of Celeste Quinn, Alexandra Pickering and Esmeralda Heseltine.

North West Old Scholars

North West Old Scholars (Alumni) Originals Medallions are given to Year 12 students who have been at St Mary’s College since Kindergarten or Prep.

The Nagle Certificate

The Nagle Certificate is awarded to Year 12 students who demonstrate exemplary contribution to the life of the College and community. At St Mary’s College we value respect, responsibility, relationships and resilience. The Nagle Certificate promotes these along with simplicity, hospitality, service and social justice – all elements of the Presentation Charism.

Livinia Sproule

Livinia Sproule, to whom the Livinia Sproule Prize for Perseverance and Excellence in Science and Mathematics is dedicated, was a student at the College from 2013 until 2019. Livinia knew the power of tenacity and hard work. She persevered and gained excellence in her study, despite being ill, with enormous grit and determination.

Margaret Nicol

Margaret Nicol attended St Mary’s College from at least 1948 (although probably longer), until 1952, when she was both the Dux of the College, as well as its Head Prefect. Margaret graduated from the University of Tasmania, majoring in Psychology, and remained at the University as a research assistant in the Psychology Department. Later, she moved to Sydney, lived in Paddington and was a research assistant at the University of Sydney.

The People Choice Award

The People Choice Award (Art Exhibition) is a popular vote conducted by those that attend the Art Exhibition evening.

Charles (Pak Koon) Chung

Charles (Pak Koon) Chung, who landed in Tasmania as a 12-year-old, attended St Virgil’s College for a year, briefly studied art at Hobart Technical College while working in the family business, became a fruit merchant, restaurateur, founding president of the Chinese Community Association of Tasmania and an artist-in-retirement.

The ADF Long Tan Youth Leadership Award

The ADF Long Tan Youth Leadership Award started in 2006 to recognise students who demonstrate leadership and teamwork within both the school and the broader local community. At the same time, they recognise those who display strong values, such as doing one’s best, respect for others and “mateship”, characteristics that are integral to Australian society.