At Kambala, empowering our students with confidence is central to who we are. Beyond the Tivoli Gates, our girls are equipped with the skills, resilience and curiosity needed to navigate the opportunities and challenges that life may bring. The influence of inspiring female leaders within our community plays a powerful role in shaping this mindset.
On Friday 6 March, we were delighted to welcome three guest speakers to our community at our International Women’s Day Breakfast, this year’s theme being Balance the Scales.
Lydia Garside, Isabella Pettiford ’07 and Sascha Ryner ’05 shared their stories with students, staff and mothers, reflecting on the paths that have shaped their careers so far. As part of our celebration of International Women’s Day, their insights encouraged our community to consider how we can continue to strive for equity and support one another in achieving our goals.
- Isabella Pettiford ’07 – Director, Distribution & Investor Relations at Five V Capital
- Dr Lydia Garside – A UK-trained paediatrician specialising in paediatric forensics and Head of Department at the Child Protection Unit at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick
- Sascha Ryner ’05 – Head of Communications at Australian Athletics
While each speaker’s journey was unique, a common thread ran through their stories: challenges, setbacks and important decisions are all inevitable parts of life, but it is perseverance and courage that will get you through each challenge. Sascha encouraged students to embrace every opportunity that comes their way, even when the path ahead may feel uncertain.
Another key message shared was that it is not necessary to have everything figured out at once. Life unfolds over time, shaped by the experiences we gather along the way. One day, those experiences may even lead our students back to Kambala to inspire the next generation just as our Old Girls did.
The importance of surrounding yourself with a supportive network was another strong theme throughout the discussion. Having people who encourage, challenge and uplift you can make all the difference when navigating life’s complexities.
Both Sascha and Isabella also reflected fondly on their time at Kambala, sharing how the confidence and sense of possibility they developed here played an important role in shaping their achievements and aspirations.
We hope our students left feeling inspired by the remarkable women who stood before them and reminded that their own journeys hold just as much potential.