2021 Virtual Shining Light Awards Celebration

St Mary’s (1974-1980), St Paul’s (1981), Tenison College (1982-1986)
 

Sunita Gloster completed all of her primary and secondary education at St Mary’s, St Paul’s and Tenison College from 1974-1986, after immigrating to Australia from Bombay in 1974 with her parents at age 4.
Sunita thrived at school and was a strong contributor to school life and the Catholic community. A passionate public speaker, Sunita represented Tenison College in debating and public speaking competitions throughout the State, achieving numerous accolades during her senior years. Sunita was Deputy School Captain and SRC Chairperson in Year 12 and the youth representative on the Pastoral Council for St Paul’s Church. Sunita championed the ethos of the school and was recognised for her spirit, character and leadership in Year 11 (Damian O’Neil Award) and Year 12 (Dean Travers Award for Senior Girls).
After school, Sunita went on to complete a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Marketing, at the University of South Australia. Graduating in 1991, Sunita was awarded the Young & Rubicam Advertising Talent Development Prize, in the form of a graduate traineeship. This saw the beginning of a long career in professional services, almost 30 years in the advertising, media and marketing industry, nationally and internationally.
Throughout her career, Sunita has held many leadership roles in Australia, London and across Europe. With an extensive list of accolades and global recognition for her professional achievements, Sunita continues to forge an impressive Executive career. Only last week Sunita secured a National Women in Media Award – taking out the Social Change Maker category – an honour centred on her work with UN Women Australia for gender equality.
Twice voted 'Top 35 Business woman under 35' in the UK by Management today and voted Europe's 'Top 40 Marketing Professional under 40' in 2003. Since returning to Australia, she has been ranked in B&T's Top 30 Powerful Women in Media for the last 8 years (the most recent just last month, where she was ranked third on the list). She is a regular public speaker, a panellist on Australian ABC TV show - Gruen and a columnist across the media and marketing sector. Sunita advocates for the empowerment of women and girls and the acceleration of progress against gender inequalities. She is the founder of Gloster Advisory and is also a Senior Advisor for Accenture Australia and UN Women Australia.
Over the years, Sunita has continued her commitment and faith to the Catholic Church and has actively supported the St Vincent De Paul Society. In 1998, she was fortunate enough to spend time with Mother Theresa in Calcutta while on a Mission experience in India. These experiences helped shape Sunita’s beliefs, values and her leadership style; embodying authenticity, integrity and fairness.
Sunita is also the proud mother of three children who fill her life with love and laughter.
 

St. Mary’s Primary School (1959 - 1961) Marist Brother’s College (1962 - 1969)

Rob Lucas was born in Kure, Japan, in 1953 before moving to Mount Gambier with his family and attending St. Mary’s Primary School and Marist Brother’s Agricultural College. Rob began at St. Mary’s in 1959 where he completed Years 1 – 3 and then moved to Marist Brother’s in 1962 for Years 4 – 11. He successfully completed his schooling at Leaving Honours level in 1969. Rob excelled academically and athletically during his time at school. He was a class leader every year except one at Marist Brother’s College. Rob was a high achiever, winning a Commonwealth Scholarship, participating as a member of the Debating Team and was awarded Dux of the College in 1969. Rob enjoyed his sport and participated in school football, cricket, basketball and athletics and, in particular, tennis where he was a regular member of a very successful College team. He was College champion in each of his age groups and came third in the Under 14 Tennis State Championship. After completing Year 12 at Mount Gambier High School, Rob moved to Adelaide to study a Bachelor of Science, and then completed a Bachelor of Economics, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the University of Adelaide. Before his election to State Parliament, Rob was employed by the South Australian Division of the Liberal Party as the Assistant State Director. Rob was elected to the South Australian Legislative Council in 1982 and was Leader of the Opposition from 1989 to 1993. He was appointed the Minister of Education and Children’s Services in 1993 and became the Treasurer in 1997 for the remainder of the term of the then Liberal Government (2002). Following this, Rob served as the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, Shadow Treasurer, Shadow Minister for Industry and Trade, Economic Development, Science and Information Economy and Police at varying stages during the period 2002 – 2018. Currently, Rob is the South Australian Treasurer in the Marshall Liberal Government (since 2018) with responsibilities for Finance, Industrial Relations and the Public Sector. He is also Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council. Rob announced after the 2018 election that he will retire at the 2022 election, after almost 40 years in Parliament. Rob has four children to wife Marie and now four grandchildren.
 

Mater Christi College (1963-1970)

Anne Foale was born in Mount Gambier in 1953 and was the first of seven daughters and three sons. In 1963 Anne commenced her schooling at Mater Christi College in Year 4. A quiet student, Anne revelled in music and singing and remained at the College until 1970, completing Year 11. Two of Anne’s brothers attended Marist Brothers College and some of her sisters attended St Mary’s, St Paul’s and Mater Christi over the years.
After school, Anne completed her nurse training at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Following this, she spent two years working as a Lay Missionary Nurse for the Broome Diocese, before following her family to Perth where she studied midwifery at the King Edward Hospital in Subiaco. Anne moved back to South Australia in 1978 to join the Sisters of Mercy in Adelaide.
Anne was mostly engaged in community nursing as a midwife and in 2000 she went to work in Timor-Leste for two years with the Mercy/ Jesuit Refugee Service. On her return to Australia, Anne moved to Port Augusta to support refugees at the Baxter Immigration Detention Facility. Once that closed she stayed on in Port Augusta as part of the Aboriginal Family Birthing Program until 2016.
For the past five years Anne has been working for Mercy Works, based in Sydney. Mercy Works aims to improve the lives of vulnerable people in Australia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and the Philippines. Anne manages development projects and relief in those countries as well as programs supporting Aboriginal projects across Australia. The COVID pandemic has been especially challenging in this respect with on-going travel restrictions.
 

St Paul’s School & Marist Brothers Agricultural College (1948-1959)

Born in Mount Gambier in 1943, Barrie George Holmes attended St Paul’s School from age 5 and was taught by the Sisters of Mercy from Years 1-3. He then moved to Marist Brothers Agricultural College, finishing Year 10 (intermediate) in 1959.
In 1960, Barrie started work at O.A. Dickson’s merchandise store in Mount Gambier, eventually becoming a wool skin buyer for the business. In the late 1960’s Barrie began working at WFC Contracting Co for his Father-in-law, which he later bought in 1987 and operated until his passing in 1999.
Barrie continued his association with Marist Brothers College and Tenison College long after he was a student. With a strong love for basketball, Barrie was passionate about providing sporting opportunities for students. Together with Bob Brown, Barrie established basketball as a sport at Tenison College in 1983. Barrie coached and managed teams, travelling around the South East region and Adelaide for 15 years. His love for the game was infectious and students couldn’t help but share in his enthusiasm.
Perhaps Barrie’s biggest achievement within the College was his leadership and drive in the establishment of the Multipurpose Hall, today known as the Barrie Holmes Stadium. From the mid-80s, Barrie and a group of parents, along with the Tenison College Parents and Friends Committee (in which he was the chairman at the time) worked hard during an economically troubled climate for the school to have plans passed for a Multipurpose Hall. After two years of persistence, the building plans and funding were approved in October of 1986 and together with a large group of generous volunteers from across the community, Barrie had the hall erected over a matter of months. The Hall officially opened on 19 November 1988 and its completion and success is a testament to Barrie’s drive and his want to provide the best for others.
Barrie married Gloria in 1966 and they have 9 children, all of whom attended Tenison College. Most of their grandchildren are also students or have been students of Tenison Woods College.
 

About the Shining Light Awards:

Tenison Woods College and its predecessors, St Paul’s School, Tenison College, Marist Brothers Agricultural College, Mater Christi College, St Mary’s School & St Joseph’s College, value the contributions of all students past and present. The “Shining Light” Awards recognise significant contributions by former students, staff or catholic community members to the local and global community. By recognising these outstanding citizens, the College hopes to inspire current and future students, as well as celebrating the rich history of Catholic education in South East South Australia. Each year in October, we celebrate a group of shining lights who have been nominated and selected as worthy recipients.

Nominations

If you would like to Nominate an old scholar or member of our College community for a Shining Light Award, please click here for the nomination form.