We are delighted to announce that Maree Lane has been appointed a Director of the Emmanuel College Warrnambool Foundation, and we are extremely pleased to welcome Maree onto the team.
Maree began her education in the final year of St Ann’s College prior to its amalgamation with CBC in 1991. Her three children attended Emmanuel College and she and her husband Patrick (Class of 1990) have proudly contributed to the College’s appeals through the years.
Maree was an active member of the Emmanuel College Board of Management (now the Emmanuel College Advisory Council) joining in 2013, and taking on the role of Council Chair since 2020. In July this year she chose to step down from these duties to take on a fresh challenge with the Foundation.
Maree shares our vision of inspiring the gift of philanthropyGlenys Phillpot
During her time on the Board/Council she has been part of the governance team that has overseen an unprecedented level of capital development. From the first discussions about the construction of The Emmanuel Centre, she has continued to work with and support the College to also see The STAGE, the library redevelopment, the new science wing and the Edmund Rice Centre, become a reality.
“I also recall being truly excited the evening we formally approved the introduction of the College’s Year 7 music program, and still today can’t help smile when I see a Year 7 student lugging some sort of weirdly-shaped instrument behind them.” Maree commented.
A qualified journalist, who has worked as an advisor in Federal, State and Local Government sectors, as well as private enterprise, Maree has extensive experience in stakeholder engagement, media relations, corporate communications, strategic planning and governance.
The Foundation Chair, Glenys Phillpot said “Maree brings a plethora of experience particularly in governance, marketing and fundraising. Her skill set is perfectly aligned with our current Board attributes and Maree shares our vision of inspiring the gift of philanthropy.”
Maree said “I am honoured to be joining the Foundation Board, particularly in the middle of such a successful appeal for the Edmund Rice Centre. The Foundation is also making impressive progress in its establishment of scholarships, to help ensure that - in the spirit of Catherine McAuley, Edmund Rice, the dedicated founders of the school - an Emmanuel College education is accessible to all children who love to learn.”
“There’s so many great memories of my time at Emmanuel – funnily enough, a lot of them involve being away from the actual college grounds; the annual bus trip to Melbourne for schoolgirls’ netball; our inaugural Rock Eisteddfod campaign; competing in the Warrnambool Eisteddfod in the choir and as part of our English and drama studies; school camps and our Year 11 and 12 retreats, for example.
“But one of my most profound realisations when I look back on my time at Emmanuel College is the dedication of so many of our teachers. I know I didn’t consider, let alone appreciate this as a teenager. But now, as an adult, and a parent, I can recognise that for those teachers we loved the most, their profession was a calling. Almost like a vocation. They were incredibly dedicated to our success, and to helping us succeed.
“For them, it was never, ‘just a job’.
“I continue to see this today in those that teach, and continue to teach, my children. I don’t know if it’s because the College is good at attracting these kinds of teachers, or perhaps these teachers inspire and motivate each other. Maybe it’s a little of both. Either way, we are very lucky to have, and have had them as part of the College community.”
The College has been delighted to see the Emmanuel community come together once again to bring the Edmund Rice Centre into being. We are incredibly grateful for the support we have received so far, every contribution is so meaningful to the students of today and tomorrow. The spirit in which this College was established so many years ago continues and the College is incredibly pleased to say to date we have raised over $1.14 million.
The Edmund Rice Centre isn’t just a building; it’s a symbol of Emmanuel College’s commitment to excellence in education. Designed to accommodate up to 250 Year 9 students, this cutting-edge facility will cater to the unique needs of the 9@RICE program. On schedule for completion in time for the 2025 school year, it promises to be a transformative space for generations of students to come.
Brian Brown has said “As Chair of the Edmund Rice Centre Appeal Committee, I wanted to thank everyone who has contributed to this appeal so far. Your support follows in the footsteps of those who have gone before us, contributing to the College we know today and building the foundations for the College of tomorrow.
There is only 4 months left until the build is complete and students are welcomed into the new space. So, there is still time to donate and support our appeal, and with less than $360,000 left to raise, please consider giving generously.”
The College is excited to see the consolidation of facilities on one site within reach, which enables the College to deliver an exciting, first-class learning experience that best meets the future needs of all students throughout their secondary school journey. Collectively, these changes enable Emmanuel College to become the leading dynamic educational provider within the region that it aspires to be.
there is still time to donate and support our appeal, and with less than $360,000 left to raise, please consider giving generously.
