Making Her Mark - Carolyn Such (TC '69)

Carolyn’s extraordinary passion for our School, and ensuring its legacy continues to grow and develop from generation to generation, is one that can only be described as inspirational.

Carolyn has held many roles at Toorak since commencing as a student in the 1960’s including parent, staff member, board member and most significantly as President of the Collegians Committee. Her contribution has been wide and varied and includes her time as a P.E teacher in the late 70’s and early 80’s when she acted as Liaison Manager for the design and construction of the Marjorie Williams Centre. She later became Head of the P.E department where she was instrumental in developing the rowing program within the school and spearheading the development of the Patterson Lakes Rowing Centre.

Continuing her ties to Toorak as a parent with her daughter, Georgina, commencing as a student, Carolyn moved away from teaching in the late 80’s allowing her to immerse herself in the Mt Eliza community. During this time, she became involved in Rotary and purchased the local embroidery shop, holding classes for 200 people every week. This decade also saw her appointed as President of the Collegians Committee for the first time.

The 1990’s saw her return to Toorak as a board member, where she volunteered her time to assist with the strategic direction of the School to ensure its continued growth and strong reputation.

Carolyn was then appointed President of the Collegians Committee for the second time, a role which she has now held again for the past eight years.

Under Carolyn’s leadership, the Collegians Committee has significantly developed engagement among our alumni community, built on the School’s archival collection, launched our bequest program, The Hamilton Society, and raised important funds for scholarships and infrastructure projects. Penny Bowman (Bourke TC’01), summed up Carolyn’s disposition perfectly, “She is a truly selfless person, with the ability to rally those around her, motivated by sharing in the success of the community she loves.”

As a Collegian, wife, mother, grandmother, Rotarian, gardener, and friend to many residents on the Peninsula, Carolyn’s drive, passion and selfless leadership has positively impacted countless members of our School and local community. She is truly dedicated to Toorak and always has the best interests of the Collegians and our School at the forefront of her thinking.

Her enormous contribution to ensuring Toorak College’s ongoing strength and vibrance is an imprint we can all only hope to leave.

Thank you to Kristy Kendall, Chris Such, Penny Bowman (Bourke TC’01), and Pam Hall (Wilkinson TC’75) for their contributions to this article.

Carolyn’s extraordinary passion for our School, and ensuring its legacy continues to grow and develop from generation to generation, is one that can only be described as inspirational.

Carolyn has held many roles at Toorak since commencing as a student in the 1960’s including parent, staff member, board member and most significantly as President of the Collegians Committee. Her contribution has been wide and varied and includes her time as a P.E teacher in the late 70’s and early 80’s when she acted as Liaison Manager for the design and construction of the Marjorie Williams Centre. She later became Head of the P.E department where she was instrumental in developing the rowing program within the school and spearheading the development of the Patterson Lakes Rowing Centre.

Continuing her ties to Toorak as a parent with her daughter, Georgina, commencing as a student, Carolyn moved away from teaching in the late 80’s allowing her to immerse herself in the Mt Eliza community. During this time, she became involved in Rotary and purchased the local embroidery shop, holding classes for 200 people every week. This decade also saw her appointed as President of the Collegians Committee for the first time.

The 1990’s saw her return to Toorak as a board member, where she volunteered her time to assist with the strategic direction of the School to ensure its continued growth and strong reputation.

Carolyn was then appointed President of the Collegians Committee for the second time, a role which she has now held again for the past eight years.

Under Carolyn’s leadership, the Collegians Committee has significantly developed engagement among our alumni community, built on the School’s archival collection, launched our bequest program, The Hamilton Society, and raised important funds for scholarships and infrastructure projects. Penny Bowman (Bourke TC’01), summed up Carolyn’s disposition perfectly, “She is a truly selfless person, with the ability to rally those around her, motivated by sharing in the success of the community she loves.”

As a Collegian, wife, mother, grandmother, Rotarian, gardener, and friend to many residents on the Peninsula, Carolyn’s drive, passion and selfless leadership has positively impacted countless members of our School and local community. She is truly dedicated to Toorak and always has the best interests of the Collegians and our School at the forefront of her thinking.

Her enormous contribution to ensuring Toorak College’s ongoing strength and vibrance is an imprint we can all only hope to leave.

Thank you to Kristy Kendall, Chris Such, Penny Bowman (Bourke TC’01), and Pam Hall (Wilkinson TC’75) for their contributions to this article.