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National Members' Profiles

Annette Atkinson - current Chairperson and Victorian Representative

For my first ten years I lived in a small town in Tasmania. My first religious instruction was from my mother who had been taught by the Josephites. This was extended by the Caravan Sisters (as we called them), the Missionary Sisters of Service. I really enjoyed their teaching methods. While they were “in town” for about a week, we had intensive instruction after school each day and on Sunday. After they left we received correspondence lessons with writing, drawing and colouring-in. This is how I received my instruction for First Confession and Holy Communion, as we called these sacraments in those days.

My family then moved to Melbourne. A friend of my mother’s told her about an order of nuns who were in charge of excellent schools in Melbourne. So, she visited the Presentation Sisters in Windsor and enrolled my sister at the secondary school and me at the local primary school. Two years later I followed my sister to Presentation Convent, Windsor. So, that is where my encounter with the Presentation Sisters began.

At school the Sisters strongly encouraged us to be part of social action and community service, so I joined the YCS (Young Christian Students) and the Legion of Mary. On leaving school I became a member of a women’s group and later the Asian Group. I was part of this Catholic University Apostolate at the University of Melbourne, under the leadership of Father Jerry Golden, for about 10 years. This Apostolate impacted strongly on the lives of its members, now in their 60s and 70s, and many continue their thinking and work in various community activities.

From a very early age I was interested in Science and I liked “explaining things”. I decided at school that I wanted to be a Science teacher and I have been involved in education ever since. My first teaching position was at Star of the Sea, another Presentation College, for two years. Then I lived in Calcutta for a year and taught at Loretto School, a college for the daughters of wealthy families. On returning to Melbourne I married Jeff, and we worked as volunteers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for 4½ years, teaching in a tertiary college for Malays. We also travelled in South East Asia and returned to Melbourne where my two sons and a daughter were born. I taught at various schools around Melbourne, including Star of the Sea again, another secondary school, Santa Maria College, run by the Good Samaritan Sisters, an alternative school and Victoria University. I retired from teaching in 2008.

After my close association with Catholic education it seemed sensible to join the Associates soon after the groups started. I have been part of the National Committee since 2007.

Sybil Thompson - current Secretary/Treasurer and Tasmanian Representative

I was born in Queenstown prior to the outbreak of the Second World War but after Dad enlisted in the army we moved south, first of all to Judbury then to Geeveston until we moved back to Hobart when Dad returned.

I first became an Associate in 1996 while teaching at the Presentation school, St Mary’s College in Hobart.

Although not taught by the Presentation Sisters myself, I have had a long association with them, teaching at Corpus Christi School in Bellerive where my five children received their primary school education before transferring to St Mary’s College where my mother had worked some years previously.

Since retiring from teaching in 1999, I have been more fully involved in the Associates and am currently the Secretary to both the Southern and State Committees.

I was one of two Associates representing the Tasmanian Associates at a national meeting of representatives of Presentation Associates and Congregation Leaders, facilitated by Paul Bullen, who came together to review the life story of the Associate Movement and set directions for its future.

I have recently re-married and we live in a retirement complex run by Southern Cross Care. As mentioned before, I have five children, four boys and a girl, who are the proud parents of my twelve, plus one on the way, grandchildren.

I worship at St Mary’s Cathedral, Hobart, which has very fond memories for me as I grew up in the Cathedral Parish and now feel that I have done a full circle of life.

Jan Murray - Queensland Representative

I am now into my second term on the National Committee of Associates, which I count as a privilege, having also served on the interim committee since 2000 prior to my first term. I really enjoy my work at national level as it broadens my perspective on that which I do locally. My association was formalised in 1997, but my connections with the Presentation Sisters began in 1977 when I was appointed to a teaching position in a Presentation primary school. Such was the inspiring, supportive and friendly environment that I remained there in that school for twenty-two years. The influence of the Sisters and the nurturing, caring way in which they educated and encouraged children impressed me deeply and has stayed in my memory. So after retirement, it seemed a natural progression to become an Associate and continue the partnership at another level. Since then I have enjoyed being involved in not just the Brisbane group of Associates, but also the many activities of the Queensland Presentation Centenary year, a national gathering of Associates in New Zealand, a Presentation Congress, voluntary work at the Presentation Spirituality Centre and many National Committee meetings now as well as those with the Plenary Council.

I am the mother of three adult children and grandmother of five wonderful teenagers. Born in New Zealand, I came to Queensland in the first year of our marriage. My husband was a school principal and we enjoyed many years of country living before settling in Brisbane. My interests are mostly outdoors, from the mountains to the sea and all places in between, but include travel, bushwalking, camping, Probus Club, art appreciation, most forms of literature and music (with a particular interest as a violinist making a modest “comeback” after nearly 50 years).

But being a Presentation Associate certainly adds a meaningful and purposeful dimension to life in “retirement”!

Caroline Thompson - Lismore Representative

Hi my name is Caroline Thompson and I live in Rosebank, just north of Lismore, in beautiful Northern New South Wales. I represent the Lismore Associates on the National Committee.

I have had the privilege of being a Presentation Associate for over fifteen years. My first contact with the Presentation Sisters came when I began teaching at Trinity College in Lismore in 1989. Trinity was founded through an amalgamation of St Mary’s College run by the Sisters and Marist Brothers St Joseph's – the boys' school which was literally across the road. As well as having daily contact with the Sisters, one of my roles as Religious Education Coordinator at the school was to ensure that the charism of the Presentation Sisters was celebrated and enriched through liturgy, prayer and staff in-service. This brought me into contact with the story of Nano Nagle and the wonderful legacy of the Sisters who had been in Lismore and contributed so much to both the school and the community.

I am currently Head of Curriculum at St John’s College Woodlawn, completing a Doctor of Education degree through the Australian Catholic University and active in co-ordinating Presentation Associate activities for the Lismore group. Life is busy but I take inspiration from Nano who trudged those dark and dank streets of Cork with courage and persistence.

Pauline Kingsbury - Western Australia Representative

Pauline is now into her second term on the National Committee of Associates. Together with Jan Murray from Queensland, Pauline is one of the “original” members of the National Committee. Pauline is the immediate past Chairperson of the National Committee, having served two terms in that position.

Tricia Fogarty - Wagga Wagga Representative

Tricia commenced her term of being the Wagga Wagga representative on the National Committee of Associates in November 2006.

Anne Coull - Ex Officio Archivist

I was born and educated in Tasmania and for the most part have lived here with the exception of a couple of “sorties to the mainland” working, mainly with Dept of Defence - Army in Melbourne. I decided back in the mid 70s to request a transfer back to Tasmania, preferably Launceston, and was fortunate in obtaining a position within the Australian Taxation Office. I must add that whist I have spent the larger part of my working life as a Federal Public Servant, I did commence work upon leaving school in Private Enterprise. Reflecting back, I now appreciate the experience I gained in working for a Launceston family owned electrical wholesaler firm.

I was educated by the Presentation Sisters both in my primary and secondary years. In some respects I think I have been known by the ‘Presentations’ all my life as my parents were a strong presence in our school and parish.  In those days, nothing could get past the Sisters, even when my elder sister and I decided to spend our “school money” which in those days was paid on a weekly basis.

I have been involved in the Associate movement since its inception in Tasmania and was one of the “originals” who made their commitment as an Associate on 12 March 1994. Since then I have meandered the path of being one of the founding members of the Tasmanian State Committee which held its first meeting way back on 28 November 1996, which sometimes feels such a long time ago.

In 1998, Sr Marjorie Boutchard, who was the Associate State Co-ordinator, asked if I would take over the production reins of the “Tasmanian Associate” Newsletter. This was a big challenge but one that I enjoyed.

Over the last few years I have assisted in running the Preparation Programme for prospective members in the northern part of the State.

2006 was a major milestone in my Associate journey as Ann Stanfield from Hobart and myself were elected by our fellow Associates to be the new Joint State Co-ordinators. It was in this capacity that on 18 November we signed our new Tasmanian Associates Constitution.

I was invited by the Congregation Leadership Team to be the Tasmanian Representative on the Associates National Committee and it was only last year, 2008, that I completed my term of office both as Representative and also that of Secretary/Treasurer to the National Committee.

My life journey so far has led me down many paths but I thank all who have been an influence in my life in particular my fellow Associates, here in Tasmania and also those I have met with over the years during my time on the National Committee.

Apparently my work for this committee has not ended as at the 2008 meeting I was asked if I would assume the mantle of being Ex-Officio Archivist. I can’t help myself, I accepted!!

Sr Bernadette Keating - Ex Officio Society Representative

Bernadette Keating pbvm is President of the Society of Australian Presentation Congregations. After a life as teacher, principal, parish pastoral associate, seminary pastoral formator, Bernadette completed a Masters of Pastoral Studies and Masters of Religious Education (focusing on adult learning) at Loyola, Chicago. She then had two years helping to manage a Family Holiday Centre in Balnarring until she was elected onto the leadership team of the Victorian Presentation Congregation for ten years. Bernadette takes delight in a varied ministry across the Presentation Sisters’ global ministry as well as her facilitation and pastoral ministry teaching in Australia, knowing that these efforts help to bring about a more just and caring world.

In her position as President of the Society of Australian Presentation Congregations Bernadette is therefore attached to the National Committee and acts as a liaison with the Plenary Council. In this position as an Ex Officio to the Associates National Committee Bernadette does not have voting rights.

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