At this year’s Year 12 Farewell Dinner, we were honoured to welcome back Past Pupil Dr Veronica Kelly (Grad. 2002) as our guest speaker. Veronica shared her inspiring journey from Lourdes Hill student to doctor, mother, and proud Lourdanian, reminding our graduating class that the spirit of Lourdes Hill, courage, compassion, and community continues to shine long after school days end. We would love to share her wonderful speech from the evening with our community below. 

Guest Speaker, Dr Veronica Kelly: 

Good evening, Principal Kay Gleeson, Teachers & Staff, Proud Parents, and most importantly, the True Stars of the night — the Senior Graduating Class of 2025.

My name is Veronica Kelly, and it’s such an honour to be here tonight. I want to take a moment to also thank the Past Pupils Association for inviting me. 

“You know, it’s funny — I actually remember sitting at my own Senior Farewell Dinner, back in 2002, listening to a former Lourdanian share her own inspirational journey with us.”

I remember thinking, “What could I possibly do that would make me inspirational enough to come back and share my story with future Lourdanians?”

Standing here tonight, looking out at all of you, it feels a little surreal — a full-circle moment that makes me grateful, a little nervous, and quietly thrilled to share my journey. I’m flooded with memories from my time at Lourdes Hill — back when there were still boarders, fewer buildings, PCs, no laptops, and mobile phones were strictly for playing Snake, making calls, and sending SMS messages.

I stand before you today as a proud Lourdanian, Mother, Doctor, and Sister of this wonderful community. The one thing that hasn’t changed is the spirit of community that makes Lourdes Hill so special. Whether you were a boarder or a day girl, we were all part of something bigger — a place that nurtured courage, compassion, and a deep sense of belonging. Seeing how the College continues to evolve while holding onto those values makes me incredibly proud to call myself a Lourdanian.

Since those purple-gated days — well, they were a bit more green back then — life has taken me on quite the adventure. I’ve studied Biomedical Science with Honours, travelled to over 30 countries before 30, and represented Australia in Handball at two World Championships — all whilst completing my Bachelor in Medicine and Surgery. I’ve since completed my Advanced Diploma in Obstetrics and am currently finishing my Fellowship in General Practice at Yulu Burri Ba, an Aboriginal Medical Service in Capalaba — a role that constantly reminds me why I chose to care for people.

And somewhere in between all that, I became a mum to three incredible children — Elliott, Vincent, and Maeve — who keep me grounded, honest, and just a little bit sleep-deprived!

Speaking of parenthood, I want to take a moment to thank all the parents here tonight. Thank you for the love, patience, and support you’ve poured into your daughters’ lives — from late-night assignment rescues (I hear ChatGPT might be helping with this now!) to cheering at sports and music events, and for guiding them into the strong, capable young women you see before you. Tonight is as much a celebration of your dedication as it is of their success.

When my eldest started primary school last year, I felt a mix of excitement and anxiety — wondering if I’d know anyone in the school yard pickup. I was quietly surprised to run into nine former Lourdanians, six of whom were from my graduating class. That moment reminded me of something special: the sense of belonging and enduring connection that Lourdes Hill instils in all of us.

Later, I was fortunate to run into Mrs Kath Perrier, my former Science Teacher, who was at our local school’s ANZAC Day march. In her warm, unmistakable way, she invited me to have a yarn at the College’s Careers Night. I had such a wonderful time reconnecting with fellow Lourdanians — women I hadn’t seen in over two decades — hearing about their careers, families, and journeys, meeting and being inspired by Lourdanians who had graced the halls long after me and also meeting our current students. I loved it so much, I came back again this year… and that’s where I bumped into two other former Lourdanians — the women I’d spent the last 8 months chatting to at my daughter’s toddler dance class about tantrums and toilet training, without realising we shared the same Lourdes Hill roots.

It’s moments like these that remind me the Lourdes spirit has a way of finding you — even between school drop-offs, pirouettes, frozen playlists, and the occasional rogue tutu. You might not see each other every day, but there’s an invisible thread that connects all of us — through kindness, gratitude, and respect.

Now, I’ll be honest — when I left high school, I didn’t keep in touch with the Past Pupils Association. Life got busy, as it does, but finding my way back has been one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve made. It’s not just about nostalgia; it’s about connection. It’s about celebrating the women we’ve become — and the young women you are about to be.

Graduating can feel a bit like boarding a plane for the first time — thrilling, a little uncertain, but heading toward destinations you’ve only ever dreamed of. Life doesn’t come with clear instructions, but here’s something to consider as you step forward: three questions I often ask my young patients to help them think about their future:

1. What kind of impact do you want to have in this life?

2. What problems do you want to solve?

3. And last but not least, how can you retire your parents in 10 years as a way to thank them for all their hard work and dedication to you?

As Audrey Hepburn wisely said, “Nothing is impossible — the word itself says, I’m possible.”

Through every challenge, remember this: Lourdes Hill has given you a foundation and equipped you with everything you need — not just to survive, but to thrive, beyond 2025. 


And as Eleanor Roosevelt reminds us, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” So as you walk out into the world, take that Lourdes light with you — the one that taught you to lead with compassion, courage, and confidence. Believe that anything is possible, because it truly is.


And when you’re ready — whether that’s in five years or fifteen — come back. Join the Past Pupils Association. Reconnect. This community, this sisterhood of Lourdanians, celebrates every milestone, every triumph, and every act of resilience. Let your journey inspire the future Lourdanians who will one day sit where you are tonight. You are — and always will be — part of something extraordinary.

May you continue to dream boldly, live kindly, and inspire the next generation, just as those before you have inspired me.

Congratulations, Class of 2025 — the world is waiting for you to show your magic!

Thank you.