An education at Wilderness is more than simply academic learning. It brings together the School’s history, traditions and values, as well as the joy of friendship and the fond memories each girl makes.
We love to hear from our past graduates and appreciate any opportunity to stay connected.
Stay in Touch
We love to hear from our past graduates and appreciate any opportunity to stay connected.
The ages and stages of life can bring many changes. When a girl walks out of the school gates at graduation, in one sense, her journey has just begun.
Tell Us About Yourself We want to share your journey post-Wilderness and all the changes it brings—your career, your family, and your life achievements.
Our biannual school publication the Wilderness Times features various old scholar stories and updates in each edition, including professional and personal highlights, intergenerational family news, and significant announcements.
We also regularly feature a profile of an old scholar on our social pages.
We encourage old scholars to connect with and share their news with the Old Scholars' Engagement Coordinator.
To receive your copy of the Wilderness Times electronically, please email the Old Scholars' Engagement Coordinator.
Update Your Details To stay connected and up to date with invitations and the latest news and publications, old scholars are encouraged to let Wilderness know of any changes to their personal details and communications preferenceshere.
Old Scholars on Social Media Learn more about the activities of our Wilderness old scholars by liking their Facebook page.
To easily expand professional networks and directly connect with past students, we encourage old scholars to list Wilderness School in the prior education list on LinkedIn.
Wilderness old scholars are a thriving, trusted group of some 6,000 women who help each other remain connected to our community throughout their life. In turn, we ensure there is always a place for each of them in the Wilderness family.
Connect with the Community
Wilderness old scholars are a thriving, trusted group of some 6,000 women who help each other remain connected to our community throughout their life. In turn, we ensure there is always a place for each of them in the Wilderness family.
We warmly welcome and invite our past students to reconnect with the School and their peers through the following opportunities.
Old Scholars’ Jazz Choir
Our Old Scholars’ Jazz Choir features past students, both young and old, who enthusiastically rekindle a love of singing from their School days. Supported by our Music Department, they rehearse regularly and enjoy performing at both School and broader community events.
Sporting Groups
Our rich history in athletic participation provides a firm foundation for past students to continue to thrive in the sporting arena well after graduation. A strong network of old collegian sporting groups across Adelaide’s independent schools provides various sporting opportunities for our past students. These include:
SPOC Hockey For years, Wilderness girls have reunited on the hockey field through the connections offered at St Peter’s Old Collegians’ (SPOC) Hockey Club. This popular and well-supported Club provides an opportunity for Wilderness old scholars to reconnect with the sport and stay involved in the Wilderness community. With four senior women’s teams across varying divisions, there is a suitable opportunity for everyone interested in joining.
For more information, or to sign up, please email, visit their website or follow the SPOC Hockey Club on Facebook.
SPOC Tennis St Peter's Old Collegians' (SPOC) Tennis Club has extended a wonderful invitation to Wilderness old scholars to join its Club. Providing an opportunity to keep fit, catch up with friends and participate in regular social functions, the Club prides itself on a welcoming and inclusive environment.
For more information and registration details, please email Callum McNair at SPOC Tennis Club.
Lacrosse For old scholars with a background in lacrosse, the Wilderness Lacrosse Club offers an amazing opportunity to play in a Premier League side. This competitive and driven team boasts highly experienced players, some having participated at state and national levels.
The Club welcomes players with varying abilities to try out for the side or become involved in other team options that may evolve.
For further information, please contact the Wilderness Sports Department on 8344 6688.
Since the early days, our objective has always remained the same – to create a strong sense of community and an ongoing connectedness with Wilderness School.
Celebrations and Events
Since the early days, our objective has always remained the same – to create a strong sense of community and an ongoing connectedness with Wilderness School.
Wilderness old scholars are invited to connect and reconnect through the following events. Regular events on the Wilderness Old Scholars' Association calendar include:
Industry Forums
Graduating Year Reunions
Quiz Night
Golf Day.
We also welcome old scholars to participate in our current School community by attending upcoming School events.
Each Wilderness girl who becomes an old scholar joins a diverse network and community of women, who can support each other personally and professionally.
Ways to be Involved
Each Wilderness girl who becomes an old scholar joins a diverse network and community of women, who can support each other personally and professionally.
Mentoring Impart your wisdom and knowledge with current students.
Speaking Opportunities Share your journey after Wilderness School with the community. Opportunities exist to speak to current students, community and old scholars at several events throughout the year.
Scholarships Giving to the Old Scholars’ Scholarship directly builds the capacity of our girls to lead and have agency, preparing them for their personal and professional lives. To contribute to the annual scholarship for daughters or granddaughters of old scholars from Years 10 to 12, click here.
We are constantly working to expand our old scholar offerings and welcome suggestions for new initiatives. We encourage old scholars to contact the Old Scholars' Engagement Coordinator to learn more.
We proud to celebrate the success of our old scholars and their many achievements. Here, we profile some of our community and share an insight into their lives beyond the Wilderness School gates.
Old Scholar Profiles
We proud to celebrate the success of our old scholars and their many achievements. Here, we profile some of our community and share an insight into their lives beyond the Wilderness School gates.
When a student becomes an old scholar, she joins a diverse community and network of women, globally, formalising a life-long bond created over shared educational experiences.
We are inspired by their individual journeys and successes, both professionally and personally. Read about their memories of their time at Wilderness, their favourite memories and their valuable advice on the Wilderness Old Scholars Facebook page.
Hannah Frank
We caught up with Hannah Frank (2004) recently and asked her to reflect on her life after Wilderness. Here’s what she had to say!
Career highlights Getting a job offer at Google in 2018. There is an urban legend that it’s harder to get into Google than Harvard!
More recently, I have re-joined the office of the Hon Anthony Albanese MP as Senior Adviser to the Prime Minister. The chance to contribute each day to decisions which affect all Australians is a huge responsibility, but also a great honour.
Favourite teacher at Wilderness Mrs Farrell was an extraordinary teacher. She taught Thinking and Learning classes and History in Year 12 and brought Europe to life through vivid re-enactments. Her passion for her subject matter was truly contagious.
Wilderness Value that endures The love of learning has definitely stayed with me. I feel like we were always encouraged to extend ourselves and able to follow our interests. I still regularly take new courses to learn new skills.
Favourite thing to do in Adelaide Without doubt, visit the Central Market. It’s my first stop every time I go home.
Things on the Bucket List I’d love to live overseas at some point.
Become fluent in another language.
See the Northern Lights.
More trivially, I am determined to master poaching eggs without them disintegrating into a soup!
Dream long lunch companion Julia Louis-Dreyfus. A phenomenal actor and comedian who is deeply engaged with causes she cares about.
Three can’t live without things My two best friends, who I met on day one of Year 5 at Wilderness - nearly 25 years ago!
My Australian passport.
Excellent Vietnamese pho from Marrickville. Therapy in a bowl!
Advice to 18-year-old self Trust your instincts, travel even more, try lots of things, but also learn to quit early and often when things aren’t working out, keep learning, and remember to enjoy the process of getting things done, as well as the outcomes.
Grace Escott
While at Wilderness for the Careers Fair, we asked old scholar Grace Escott (2018) on what she is up to these days.
Current role Consultant, Ernst & Young (EY)
What is your most significant career highlight? Getting a graduate position at EY, and then being promoted in August of the same year.
Who was your favourite teacher at Wilderness, and why? Mr Hawkins, he was a legend and supported me always.
What Wilderness value has stayed with you? Being A True and Courageous Self
What is the most special/significant memory you have of your time at Wilderness? Receiving the Mary Ann Matthews Scholarship in my final year of school and using the funds to travel to Sri Lanka to volunteer at a girls orphanage.
My favourite thing to do in Adelaide is… Visiting new bars and restaurants!
Name three places, activities or experiences that are on your bucket list Experiencing a European summer, going skydiving and travelling to New York City for Christmas.
If you could have a long lunch with anyone, who would it be? Paris Hilton
What are the three things you can’t live without? Shopping, my dog and my friends.
What advice would you give to your 18-year-old self? “Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game” – A Cinderella Story
Michelle Horne
You may have seen Michelle Horne (2008) in BAE Systems' recent ‘Infinite Possibilities’ campaign, where she unpacks her role as a Software Engineer Lead. We took the opportunity to ask Michelle some questions.
Career highlights Putting a product we built in front of an end user and being there to see how it assists them. It's a nerve wracking experience; you learn so much from seeing how your products are used.
Favourite teacher at Wilderness I was always into IT and computers; I remember IT classes with Mrs Green were always fun and engaging.
I really appreciated the passion that Ms Douvartzidis has for Maths and Maths education.
I also have always had great respect for Mrs Judy Dyson, who was always very helpful with time available for a chat. No issue was too hard to solve.
Wilderness Value that endures It might sound naff, but I think the motto "Always True" has stayed with me. I interpret it as being yourself, true to yourself and others.
Fondest memory of Wilderness I don't think I appreciated it at the time, but looking back, the quality of education and resources at hand was extremely special. With that, I believe I had a lot more experiences than I would have otherwise.
Favourite thing to do in Adelaide I love the café scene; I love going out for brunch on a weekend with my partner and (more recently) puppy.
Things on the Bucket List I'd love to go back to Japan and attend a music festival while we are there.
I'd like to write and record a song at least once in my lifetime.
For a while, I've wanted to give stand-up comedy a try. It scares me just thinking about it, though!
Dream long lunch companion The first person who came to mind was Gerard Way—the musician, artist and writer who is most well known as the lead singer of My Chemical Romance. I'd love to talk about music, comics and even writing for kids television.
Three can’t live without things Art, creativity and humour.
Advice to 18-year-old self? Don't worry about what other people think, you do you.
Founded by the generosity of the Misses Brown, the School has a proud history of philanthropy that continues today.
We are grateful for the generous support of our community, allowing us to provide financial assistance for programs, scholarships and funding for new ventures.
Support
Founded by the generosity of the Misses Brown, the School has a proud history of philanthropy that continues today.
We are grateful for the generous support of our community, allowing us to provide financial assistance for programs, scholarships and funding for new ventures.
The role of giving is tremendously important in helping Wilderness realise the School’s Masterplan. Thank you to the parents, friends, past parents and old scholars who support the School in this way.
The Wilderness Old Scholars’ Association (WOSA) is led by a group of dedicated and inspirational women.
Old Scholars' Association
The Wilderness Old Scholars’ Association (WOSA) is led by a group of dedicated and inspirational women.
From recent School leavers to long standing members, together they bring a wealth of knowledge, experiences and relationships to the Committee. Their pride in the School and in being a ‘Wilderness Old Scholar’ is the enduring and prevailing spirit in all they do.
Promoting a lifelong alma mater relationship with Wilderness, the Committee works with the School’s Old Scholar Liaison Officer to ensure our old scholars’ network continues to thrive, is celebrated and remains connected. Together they provide a number of annual events and fundraisers that encourage past students to celebrate their shared experiences and to renew their friendships.
In addition to financially contributing to the Wilderness School Foundation, the Association provides an annual scholarship for a daughter or granddaughter of an old scholar.
2023-2024 Association Members:
President
Danielle White (Caruso) (1995)
Vice President
Jane Lee (1970)
Treasurer
Millie Maitland (2012)
Secretary
Neve Curtis (2017)
Old Scholars Engagement Coordinator
Emily Rocca (2002)
Committee Members:
Reshma Berggren (2017)
Jaimee Lee Charlton (2002)
Hayley Edwards (2011)
Rhiannon Giles (1996)
Preeya Goel (1999)
Lorraine Gormly (Irving) OAM (1957)
Sophie Howe (2014)
Mellissa Larkin (Rainsford) (1995)
Pooja Newman (Goel) (1995)
Ketrah Parsonage (Eaton) (2004)
Kirsty Wallman (1995)
Annual General Meeting The Annual General Meeting of the Association is held in June each year. All members of the Association are welcome to attend.
If you would like to learn more about the Committee and opportunities to get involved, please email the Old Scholars' Engagement Coordinator.
Wilderness is our old scholars’ second home. As the Misses Brown always said to the girls leaving school, ‘If ever you wish to come to The Wilderness tomorrow or in 10 years’ time, that wish is your invitation, and you can feel sure of your welcome’.
Each Wilderness girl is grafted into the family tree upon graduation, automatically receiving membership to the Wilderness Old Scholars’ Association, a network of over 6,000 vibrant members who span the globe. Encompassing decades from 18 years of age and including several centenarians, our old scholars represent a multiplicity of experiences and backgrounds across personal and professional pursuits.
An enduring bond with the School and other past students enriches and nourishes the Wilderness spirit and we highly value the contribution our graduates bring to our community and to the generations that follow them.
Our long standing and thriving old scholar community is partly attributed to the many events and opportunities offered throughout the annual calendar. These occasions allow past students the opportunity to stay connected and continue to contribute to and enrich the life of the School.