105 Stories for 105 Years

Julia Samson (Lazarus ’26, Head Girl)

Scholar. Egyptologist. Trailblazer.

Scholar. Egyptologist. Trailblazer.

1909 – 2002

Long before she became one of Australia’s most respected Egyptologists, Julia Samson was a bright and engaging St Mary’s girl whose curiosity reached well beyond the classroom. Her path from Head Girl to internationally recognised archaeologist reflects a lifelong commitment to learning, discovery and the human stories that shape civilisation.

Julia attended St Mary’s from 1923 to 1926, where she excelled academically, earned several prizes and served as a Prefect and then Head Girl in her final year.

In 1928, Julia relocated to London, a move that helped her realise her lifelong dream of studying at the Institute of Archaeology at University College London, beginning a career that would position her at the forefront of Egyptological research.

Her fascination with ancient Egypt had begun much earlier, sparked during a family holiday and formalised when she joined the Egypt Exploration Society at just fifteen. She would remain a member for an extraordinary 77 years.

Julia became a distinguished Egyptologist, field archaeologist and author, contributing widely to the understanding of ancient Egyptian civilisation. She was an Honorary Researcher at the Petrie Museum in London, home to one of the world’s largest and most important collections of Egyptian and Sudanese archaeology.

Her sharp mind, generous spirit and ability to bring history vividly to life made her a treasured presence in academic and social circles alike.

‘Julia’s belief that the human intellect and imagination were the most creative forces in the world and central to all cultural progress was the core of her life and work, and of her extraordinary wide range of interests in the natural sciences and the arts. Her forceful yet humane character, her magnetic personality, her highly individual conversational powers, her radiant smile and warm capacity for human friendship were an inspiration to all her knew her.’ From The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology Vol.88, 2002

Julia’s contribution to her field, along with her remarkable presence and dedication, earned her a place on the St Mary’s Old Girls’ Honour Wall. Her life stands as a testament to the power of ambition and imagination, and the enduring impact of early inspiration.

Dr Nikki Panotidis (’92)

Paediatrician. Advocate. Educator.

Paediatrician. Advocate. Educator.

Dr Nikki Panotidis has built her career on strong advocacy, clinical expertise and a commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people. Her work spans specialist practice, medical education and state-level policy, placing her at the forefront of developmental paediatrics in Western Australia.

Nikki studied medicine at the University of Western Australia, beginning the journey with a close group of school friends who became known to the wider cohort as “the St Mary’s girls.” She trained in paediatrics with dual specialisation in General Paediatrics and Community Child Health, completing postgraduate training in Perth and interstate. During advanced training and research in Melbourne, she found her enduring interest in developmental paediatrics.

Her experience includes tertiary hospital practice, private multi-disciplinary work and a formative period providing paediatric care to Indigenous children in remote Northern Territory communities. This strengthened her commitment to addressing inequity in child health and supporting children with neurodevelopmental differences.

Nikki is now a Senior Consultant Paediatrician with the WA Child Development Service. She divides her time between training paediatric trainees within the Medical Education Team and working as a Senior Clinician on the Metrowide Autism Assessment Team. She has more than a decade of clinical experience supporting children with ADHD, complex behavioural presentations and diverse developmental and learning needs.

Medical education remains central to her work. As a Senior Lecturer with the UWA School of Paediatric Medicine, she has contributed to curriculum development, assessment frameworks, specialist examinations and student mentoring.

Known for her ability to bridge health and education, Nikki works closely with schools, to support student wellbeing and learning. In 2025, the School Curriculum and Standards Authority engaged her to prepare a Board‑requested report on equitable access to assessment.

Nationally, Nikki is a founding member of the Neurodevelopmental and Behavioural Paediatric Society of Australasia and has contributed to professional development and national guideline discussions. She has also volunteered with the WA Autism Diagnosticians Board, chairing working groups and informing responses to national diagnostic standards.

Nikki’s ties to St Mary’s remain strong. The lifelong friendships she formed in Junior School continue today, and her commitment to the School now extends to her role on the Board of Governors, following in the footsteps of her father, Van, who served on the Board for nearly a decade. Her family’s connection runs even deeper: her grandfather, Richard Broad, played a significant role in scoping the Karrinyup campus site – a legacy she carries forward with pride as a St Mary’s Old Girl.

Bec Climie (’99)

Outback postie bringing community spirit to remote families, one mailbox at a time

Outback postie bringing community spirit to remote families, one mailbox at a time

Across the vastness of outback Queensland, where mailboxes sit kilometres from front doors, and the landscape can be as harsh as it is beautiful, Bec Climie has created something rare: a sense of community stitched together one mail delivery at a time.

What began as a rural mail run has grown into a lifeline of connection, creativity and cheer for the people who live along her 600-kilometre mail route.

Twice a week, Bec sets out from Julia Creek, a small outback town 1600 kilometres north-west of Brisbane. Her deliveries extend far beyond parcels and letters.

“There’s been chooks and guinea fowls, and a poddy lamb. If it’s the middle of mustering and people need food, they rely on the mail to bring them groceries, or if they break down, then there’s a part coming in the mail,” said Bec.

Bec has 38 stops on her twice-a-week mail run, and she’s found a way to make every one special. She has introduced book clubs, morning teas, Secret Santa exchanges and even ‘mail run lotto’ – small initiatives that have grown into meaningful traditions for the families along her route.

Her most beloved creation is the annual Mail Run Show Day, born from the realisation that Julia Creek lacked a traditional agricultural show.

“There are a lot of people on the mail run who are very arty and crafty and very good at making things, and so I thought we could have our own show,” she said.

“We award the Best in Show and all those kinds of things that you would actually get at an agriculture show, but it’s just done via the mailbox.”

Now, residents compete via their mailboxes in categories ranging from best photography to cutest pet. Last year, she even swapped out her regular postie van for an ice cream truck, delivering the mail and soft serve to everyone on her route.

Bec highlights her close-knit rural community on her podcast, “More Than Mail”, where she chats about all things living and working in remote Queensland.

Life in the bush can bring its challenges, from droughts and floods to isolation, but Bec’s presence and dedication have become a source of joy and connection for an entire rural community.

Adaena Sinclair-Blakemore (’11)

Human Rights Lawyer

Human Rights Lawyer

Adaena has spent her career at the intersection of law and the protection of human rights, whether contributing to cases arising from international conflict, supporting press freedom or researching the protection of fundamental human rights. Her journey, spanning several countries and legal systems, reflects both her intellectual ambition and her resolve to use the law to serve others.

Adaena attended St Mary’s from 2007 to 2011. After graduating, she completed a Bachelor of Arts in French and Italian at the University of Western Australia, before moving to Melbourne to undertake a Juris Doctor at the University of Melbourne. She began her legal career as a solicitor in Melbourne before working as an Associate to a Judge of the Federal Court of Australia, an experience that strengthened her interest in public and international law.

Her academic achievements earned her both a Cambridge Commonwealth Trust Scholarship and a Cambridge Australia Scholarship, enabling her to pursue a Master of Laws at the University of Cambridge. There, she specialised in international law and human rights law, setting the direction for her future work.

Adaena later moved to Strasbourg, France, to work for a Judge of the European Court of Human Rights. In this role, she assisted with a range of significant cases, including matters concerning Russia’s occupation of Georgia and the detention of journalists in Turkey following the attempted coup d’état in 2016. Her time in this role deepened her resolve to work in the protection and advancement of human rights.

She currently works for the British Institute of International and Comparative Law in London, undertaking research in human rights law. In July 2026, she will return to Australia to serve as an Associate to a Justice of the High Court of Australia before commencing practice as a barrister specialising in human rights and international law.

Throughout her career, Adaena has continued to reflect on the impact St Mary’s had on her journey. Attending an all-girls’ school gave her the confidence to express her views with clarity and conviction, an attribute she carries into her work today. St Mary’s strong languages program was also pivotal; her knowledge of French, first developed at school, enabled her to secure her role at the European Court of Human Rights, where fluency in both English and French is essential. The School further supported her academic ambitions by awarding her the Lynne Thompson Overseas Study Scholarship, which helped make her studies at Cambridge possible.

Adaena looks back on her time at St Mary’s with gratitude for the opportunities and encouragement that shaped her aspirations and her career.

Mary (Maimie) Aitken Brown (’22) MBE(M)

From London’s fashion scene to wartime Captain

From London’s fashion scene to wartime Captain
1905 – 1993

When Maimie joined St Mary’s as one of our first students in 1921, no one could have foreseen the remarkable path her life would take – from London fashion circles to military hospitals in wartime, and ultimately to being honoured with an MBE for her leadership and service. Her story is one of adaptability, courage, and an enduring sense of responsibility to others.

Soon after graduating from St Mary’s in 1922, she moved to London to study at the London Academy of Dressmaking, quickly establishing herself in the city’s fashion scene. Welcomed into London’s social circles, she built a reputation for artistry, poise and professionalism. But with the outbreak of the Second World War, her life took a dramatic turn.

Returning to Perth, Maimie enlisted for voluntary service at Lucknow Hospital in Claremont before later joining the Australian Army Medical Women’s Service. Her work spanned Western Australia and the Middle East between 1941 and 1943, where she supported military hospitals under intense wartime conditions.

Upon returning to Australia, she rose quickly through the ranks, becoming Commandant of the 115 Military Hospital in Victoria and later Company Commander of the 110 Military Hospital in Perth. In 1944, she was promoted to Captain. Her leadership earned her the Member of the Order of the British Empire (Military), awarded for her exceptional discipline, compassion and dedication to the welfare of the women under her command.

Maimie later authored two books: The Bending Road, recounting her years in London, and On and Off Duty, detailing her wartime service. Her World War II medals remain on display at the Army Museum of Western Australia, a testament to her service and impact. She is honoured at St Mary’s through a place on the Old Girls’ Honour Wall, recognising a life defined by service, resilience and leadership across vastly different worlds.

Jessica Gethin (’97)

From First Music Prefect to International Stages

From First Music Prefect to International Stages

When Jessica became St Mary’s first-ever Music Prefect, she had no idea it was the beginning of a career that would take her onto international podiums and major orchestral stages and into leadership roles at the highest levels of Australian music. Left with a conviction that leadership and creativity belong side by side, Jessica’s love of music grew into a life devoted to conducting, collaboration and championing artistic excellence.

After graduating in 1997, Jessica returned to St Mary’s the very next year to teach music, a ten-year stint that shaped her passion for mentorship and reinforced her belief in the importance of confident, visible female leadership in the arts. From there, her trajectory accelerated rapidly.

Today, Jessica is one of only a small number of full-time professional conductors in Australia, working across symphonic, ballet, opera, film and cross-genre repertoire. She is Principal Conductor of the West Australian Ballet, Artistic Advisor to Orchestra Victoria and Head of Orchestral Studies and Conducting at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.

Her previous leadership roles include serving as the Founding Chief Conductor of the Perth Symphony Orchestra from 2011 to 2019, during which time she guided the orchestra through a period of bold artistic growth and heightened national recognition.

Jessica has conducted all of Australia’s major symphony orchestras and The Australian Ballet, performing everywhere from the Sydney Opera House to outdoor festivals and major national tours. Internationally, she has appeared with ensembles including the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Dallas Opera. Her collaborations span a remarkable range of artists, including Harry Connick Jr., Ben Folds, Sir Bryn Terfel, Michael Bolton, Chrissy Amphlett and Tim Minchin.

Her contribution to the arts has been recognised through numerous honours, including the Brian Stacey Emerging Australian Conductor Award and a Churchill Fellowship, and her appointment as the inaugural Hart Institute Fellow with the Dallas Opera. She has been named a finalist for West Australian of the Year, inducted into the 2024 WA Women’s Hall of Fame, listed among the Australian Financial Review’s 100 Most Influential Women, and twice acknowledged in Limelight Magazine’s Top 20 Australian Artists.

Though her career has spanned continents and artistic disciplines, Jessica credits St Mary’s with instilling the confidence to back her own vision. Friendships formed at school, and early encouragement to blend leadership with creativity, remain touchstones she carries into the rehearsal room, onto the podium and into every new musical collaboration.