President: Olivia Mittiga (’13)
Vice President: Peta Spyrou (’11)
Secretary: Isabella De Stefano (’11)
Treasurer: Emilia Galluccio (’16)
IBVM Rep: Sr. Diaan Stuart
School Rep: Dr Nicole Archard and Penny Minchin
Committee Members:
- Elena Casciano
- Danielle Pickahn-Jones
- Lisa Daley
- Catherine Lupone
- Charlotte Ordynski
- Annabel Lane
- Meg Eblen
- Helen Rodriquez
- Elizabeth Healy
- Judy Rice
- Margaret Sullivan
- Angela Keane
- Carol Cheetham
Meet our 2019 Committee Members…
Olivia Mittiga
I am delighted to be appointed as LOSA’s President for 2019, after spending two years on the Committee as Vice President. I graduated from Loreto in 2013 and completed a Bachelor of Commerce (Management) from The University of Adelaide in 2017 and a Master’s degree in Project Management, also at the University of Adelaide in 2019. I thoroughly enjoy travelling, being active and spending time with family and friends; in addition to exploring Adelaide’s many restaurants.
LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/mittiga
Peta Spyrou
I am honoured to be LOSA’s Vice President for 2019 after having been the Committee’s Secretary since January 2018. I graduated from Loreto in 2011 and recently completed my Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree from the University of South Australia. I am also a Higher Degree Research candidate with Adelaide Law School, and work part-time as a legal research officer in the South Australian Parliament Research Library.
In December 2011, I volunteered as a carer on the ‘Loreto Sony Camp’, where I met a special young man. Since then, I have been his carer. My connection to him and his family has developed an interest in disability related advocacy. Because of this interest in disability advocacy; and my passion and intellectual interest in law, I applied for a unique PhD scholarship with the Equal Opportunity Commission and the University of Adelaide. As one of the lucky recipients to this scholarship, my PhD will consider the topic of alternative dispute resolution and disability discrimination within the area of education.
I volunteer on the LOSA Committee to give back to the community that gave me so much. This is because I owe Loreto my sincere gratitude because it directly provided me with career opportunities. Moreover, and to paraphrase our foundress Mary Ward, my Loreto education encourages me to be a seeker of truth and a doer of Justice. I am looking forward to working with the 2019 LOSA Committee to ensure that the Loreto spirit lives on in the wider Loreto community.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peta-spyrou-6a6211157/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/peta_spyrou
Isabella De Stefano
I am thrilled to be LOSA’s Secretary for 2019. I graduated from Loreto College, Marryatville in 2011, after 13 years of fantastic schooling. Since then, I completed my postgraduate degree in Primary Education as well as a Bachelor of Psychological Science from the University of Adelaide. Whilst undertaking my postgraduate studies, I worked in a specialist capacity as an Inclusive Education Support officer at both St. Paul’s College and St. Peter’s Girls’ Collegiate School.
Since 2017, I have been volunteering within the Learning Assistance Program at St. Peters College, Adelaide, where I provided opportunities for students to flourish both academically and emotionally. I am passionate about all aspects of education and integrate my proven expertise in my current role as Primary Teacher at Christian Brothers College, Adelaide.
Through my employment and educational experiences, I value the legacy and vision of Catholic Schools, particularly their emphasis on community engagement and culture. I am looking forward to contributing to the LOSA Committee in 2019 and aim to expand the Loreto spirit amongst the wider Loreto community.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabella-de-stefano-35483a107
Emilia Galluccio
I graduated from Loreto in 2016 and I am currently studying a Bachelor of Law/Commerce (Accounting) at the University of Adelaide. This is my second year on the LOSA Committee. I love warm weather as it comes with the beach, river and any water sports; and I also love trying new local restaurants/cafes with my friends.
Sr. Diaan Stuart IBVM
Twice I have been a member of the Loreto Marryatville staff from 1973 to the end of 1980 and again from 1995 to the end of 2000. Following the last stint in Marryatville I moved to Melbourne where I was the CEO of Loreto Education in Australia. In 2006 I was missioned to East Timor where for almost the next twelve years I was involved in Education, firstly in the Catholic Teachers’ College and then director of a preschool in a rural village. Once again, I have been recycled back to Marryatville and joined LOSA during last year.
Elena Casciano
I graduated from Loreto in 2000 and have been on the committee for three years. I graduated from Bachelor of Information Technology (Software Engineering) at the University of South Australia and worked 13 years in the Transport and Rail industry and developed my IT skills in a commercial environment. Currently I hold the role of Business Support Lead at HomeStart Finance, specialising in business systems operations in the banking and finance sector.
Danielle Pickahn-Jones
I graduated from Loreto in 2000 and I have been on the LOSA Committee for 4 years. I have a Bachelor of Law (Hons), a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, a Bachelor of Arts and a Diploma in Languages/Lawyer. Music, motorsport (Adelaide Rally entrant in 2015-2018 inclusive) and travel are my main hobbies. I enjoy spending time at the beach and exploring what the world has to offer with my husband.
Lisa Daley (nee. Biggar)
I graduated from Loreto in 2000 and have been on the LOSA committee for 2 years. I have a Bachelor of Law and I work in Legal Practice. I have a strong passion for travel, I love spending time with my family and I also enjoy being active.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-biggar-8945b554/
Annabel Lane
I graduated from Loreto in 2016 and I am currently studying a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Adelaide. This is my second year on the LOSA Committee. I enjoy performing, playing netball, walking my dog and spending time with my friends.
Helen Rodriquez (nee. McCarthy)
I am a current member of the LOSA committee and have been a member since 1965 after I left school.
I was born in 1938 and grew up on Lake Alexandrina at the mouth of the Murray River until the age of 11 when I moved with my parents and three brothers to live in Adelaide and was enrolled at Loreto. It was 1949 and I was in grade 6. At that time there was a sign on the cr. Of Portrush Rd and Kensington Rd that read “ Loreto Convent. Ladies College.”. After 6 years I left school at the end of 1954 . I completed Intermediate certificate the previous year and in my last year I studied Leaving “Art” with Mother DeLourdes.
I wanted to be a Dress Designer but in those days there was no course. When I left school I did dressmaking at Myer Emporium and then Photography and reception work at Raeburn Studio for 3 years. I then managed a dress material shop at Glenelg before moving to Sydney where I worked at Henderson’s in Pitt St. After later returning to Adelaide I worked for 3 years for National Pharmacy in Norwood until I married in 1964 and moved to Melbourne. In Melbourne I managed a fashion shop in Hawthorn for 3 years until I had my children and became a stay at home mother.
I returned to Adelaide in 1978 after becoming divorced. I had several part time jobs but returned to full time work in 1982 when I was offered a position at Cabra College as the resource manager. My roll was very varied. While I was there I managed the bookroom and the purchasing of supplies etc for the school. I retired at the end of 2003. During my time at Cabra I studied and acquired a diploma in Small Business Management from Adelaide Institute of Tafe. I was treasurer of the Loreto Art Committee for 6 years. I have held the position of National Treasurer for the Catholic Women’s League for 3 years from 2005 to 2008 . I am a current member of the CWA of SA and one of the inaugural members of the Dequetteville Branch. I have held various positions on the committee over the years. I have travelled quite extensively and have a keen interest in art. I have been a member of various art groups and have undertaken ceramics and china painting as well as painting on canvas etc. I play Bridge and Mah Jong and look after Grand children. I also spend time trying to trace my family tree!