Last week, the Kingswood College community came together to celebrate International Women’s Day, embracing this year’s theme of Accelerating Action. It was a truly inspiring occasion, highlighting the importance of gender equality, resilience, and leadership in our ever-evolving world.

We were privileged to hear from two exceptional speakers—Lisa Harper and Cecelia Irvine-So—both of whom have made remarkable contributions in their respective fields and continue to inspire future generations.

Lisa Harper, a past Kingswood College student, dominated the pool during her time at the College, setting records in the late 1990s that stood until this year. Her incredible achievements in swimming, surf life saving, and royal life saving took her to national and international stages, where she proudly represented Australia in multiple world championships. Among her many career highlights, Lisa competed at the 2006 World Life Saving Championships at the open level and won multiple medals—including gold—at the 2018 Masters World Championships. Her story of perseverance, dedication, and passion serves as a powerful example to all.

We were also honoured to welcome Cecelia Irvine-So, a commercial lawyer specialising in education law, governance, privacy, and regulatory compliance. As the Practice Leader of the Education Team at Moores, Cecelia has made a significant impact in supporting independent schools and education providers. Beyond her legal expertise, she has been recognised for her leadership, including being nominated for Partner of the Year at the Women in Law Awards in 2019. In addition to her professional success, Cecelia’s dedication to community service is truly commendable—she serves on the Kingswood College Council and is an Ambassador for the Royal Melbourne Hospital Foundation, courageously sharing her journey as a head and neck cancer survivor. Her story is one of strength, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to making a difference.

A heartfelt thank you to our students, parents, and staff who attended this meaningful event. Your engagement and support are what make these celebrations so special. 

International Women’s Day is an important opportunity to learn from inspiring role models, engage in meaningful conversations, and reaffirm our commitment to equality and action.

At Kingswood College, we remain steadfast in our dedication to empowering all of our students to step forward with confidence, challenge the status quo, and accelerate action towards a more inclusive and equitable world. 

Let us continue to celebrate and champion the incredible contributions of women in all areas of life, not just on this special day but every day.

Thank you once again to Lisa and Cecelia for sharing their journeys with us. Your stories will continue to inspire and motivate our community to strive for excellence and impact in all that we do.

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