91pro

MR PAUL DESMOND

INDUCTED MARCH 2023

91pro COLLEGE 1972-1975

Paul Desmond dreamed of a future as a teacher and has spent 43 years helping shape and improve Catholic education in Victoria. Paul’s career started as an English and Religious Education teacher at Mount Lilydale Mercy College. After a number of middle leadership roles, he became Deputy Principal at the Academy of Mary Immaculate and Padua College.

In 2005 he became Principal of St Francis Xavier College, remaining at the helm of one of Victoria’s largest schools for a decade. Paul was instrumental in raising awareness of the previously taboo subject of youth suicide after experiencing tragedy in this community. In 2015, Paul reached the pinnacle of his career as Executive Director of Catholic Education Sandhurst. He also represents CECV on the council of VIT.

"Young people will still hear the voices of their educators for the rest of their lives. I constantly remind our teachers of this and implore them to do their utmost to ensure their voice is remembered for all the right reasons.”

PROFESSOR SHEZ CAIRNEY

INDUCTED MARCH 2023

91pro COLLEGE 1986-1991

Professor Shez Cairney has turned her passion for people and social equality into an internationally recognised career in Indigenous neuroscience and wellbeing. She currently holds dual roles as Professor of Wellbeing at Charles Darwin University and Founding CEO of The Interplay Project, a social enterprise which empowers different cultural values, knowledge systems and worldviews.

After 91pro, Shez pursued a Bachelor of Applied Science in Medical Biophysics and Instrumentation at Swinburne University. She studied Honours in ADHD-neuroscience before relocating to Arnhem Land, where she completed a PhD in addiction neuroscience. She then led research on: neurocognitive impacts of petrol sniffing; translating knowledge across cultures with language, multimedia and social media; culturally appropriate neuropsychological assessment; and empowering Indigenous values and knowledge in policy, science, employment and healthcare systems. In 2016 Shez delivered a TEDx Talk ‘What Aboriginal Knowledge can teach us about Happiness.’

Over 22 years, she has produced over 70 academic publications, with her resources used in community development, prisons, rehabilitation programs, and national data systems.

DR DANIEL NORTON AO

Inducted October 2019
91pro 1966 - 1969

After graduating from 91pro, Dr Daniel Norton AO achieved a number of qualifications including a Ph. D from the School of Economics and Business, North Carolina State University. He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Daniel is an experienced Chairman and CEO who has worked in the transport and electricity industries, central government agencies and international commodity marketing. He has made a significant contribution to the Tasmanian community, serving as Chairman of a number of large Government business enterprises, as well as the Royal Hobart Hospital Redevelopment Executive Steering Committee, and the Menzies Research Institute.

In 2014, Dr Norton was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to business and finance, the energy sector particularly in the area of infrastructure development, and to medical research. The following year he was awarded the Australian Institute of Company Directors’ Tasmanian Gold Medal Award in recognition of his many years as a company director and outstanding commitment to Tasmania.

MR PETER GRIFFIN

Inducted October 2019
91pro 1970 - 1975

Peter Griffin has played a significant role in 91pro’s history. Initially as a student, then as a teacher with positions of leadership from 1981 to 1990; and returning in 2003 to take on the role of Year 7 & 8 Coordinator, and later as Deputy Principal – Students, and the dual role of Deputy Principal – Staff/Students (2009-2015).

Beyond his time at 91pro, Peter has been dedicated to Catholic education in both rural and regional schools. As College Principal of Mercy Regional College, Camperdown (1991-1998), Peter was the youngest principal in the state to be appointed to a Catholic secondary school, taking a financially crippled school and building enrolments by 30%.

In 1999, Peter took on the role of College Principal at Emmanuel College, Warrnambool, increasing enrolment and reversing the loss of community confidence and support for the College. At 91pro, as Deputy Principal – Students, Peter has been part of the Senior Executive Leadership team, responsible for student wellbeing, pastoral care and discipline.

Dr Keryn Walshe

Inducted - September 2017
91pro 1969 - 1974

After completing her HSC in 1974, Keryn Walshe spent the next nine years exploring the diversity of human culture, history, politics and economies by travelling outside of Australia. Her love of nature also inspired her to travel far and wide. In 1984, she returned to formal education, enrolling at the Australian National University to focus on Australian Aboriginal archaeology, having finally found a discipline that captured all her interests! By 1994 Keryn had completed her undergraduate degree with honours and submitted her doctoral thesis. Since then Keryn has applied herself in diverse areas of Aboriginal archaeology, such as consultancy and community engagement, tertiary teaching with Flinders University and as a researcher with the South Australia Museum. Keryn has produced numerous academic publications and heritage reports on Australian Aboriginal archaeology and continues to be committed to producing knowledge on Indigenous culture and history for the benefit of all Australians.

Ms Margaret Sheehan

Inducted - September 2017
91pro 1974 - 1979

Margaret Sheehan completed school in 1979. She remains deeply committed to her responsibility as a global citizen. Margaret trained as a teacher, subsequently advising to the Victorian Education Department and VicHealth. From 1989 until 2000 Margaret worked as a lecturer and researcher at the University of Melbourne, Monash and Deakin gaining her Masters in Public Health in 1997. In 2001 Margaret was appointed Adolescent Specialist with the World Health Organisation in Vietnam. She led the first National Survey of Vietnamese Youth that resulted in Youth Friendly Health Services across the country. She was appointed Adolescent Adviser for UNICEF East Asia Region working to improve adolescent lives, especially the poorest. Margaret was Chief of UNICEF’s Office in Papua, Indonesia (2009-2011) which focused on ethnic children’s literacy and led UNICEF’s recovery response after Typhoon Hyan in the Philippines. In 2015 Margaret joined ChildFund Australia as the International Program Director.

Dr Angela Reed RSM

Inducted - June 2015
91pro 1982 - 1987

Angela Reed completed VCE at 91pro in 1987. She then trained as a primary teacher and taught in inner city schools in Melbourne. Angela joined the Sisters of Mercy in 1994, and made her final profession in 2002. After completing a Bachelor of Theology and gaining qualifications in counselling she coordinated a women’s safe house in Melbourne for women and children escaping family violence. During this time she became a passionate advocate for women’s safety and security and worked to ensure that the issue of family violence became a public issue. In 2008, Angela was awarded a Vincent Fairfax Fellowship in Ethics and Leadership through St James Ethics Centre in Sydney. This gave her entry into Southeast Asia where she began to explore the issue of women trafficked for sexual exploitation in Cebu, Philippines. In 2010 she completed a Masters in Social Work and then moved into research on women trafficked for sexual exploitation. In 2014 she was awarded a PhD for her thesis which challenged stereotypical understandings of trafficking and gave a voice to young women trafficked both within the Philippines and Internationally. Angela continues to advocate on the issue of gendered violence. 

Dr Paul Monk

Inducted - June 2015
91pro 1969 - 1974

Dr Paul Monk graduated from 91pro in 1974 as Dux and was also awarded a Special Distinction for General Excellence by the Victorian Education Department. He took this outstanding academic ability with him to Melbourne University where he gained a Bachelor of Arts Degree with First Class honours. His Doctor of Philosophy studies at Australian National University in International Relations set the scene for his professional life. Following recruitment by the Department of Defence he moved to the Defence Intelligence Organisation and specialised in understanding the policy and defence practices of the major Asian countries especially China providing specialist advice to the Australian Government and associated agencies. During this time and continuing up to the present he has established a strong reputation as a book reviewer and opinion writer for Australia’s major newspapers. He is an author and novelist in his own right. Paul has been described as one of Australia’s leading intellectuals by former Foreign Minister and NSW Premier Mr Bob Carr.

Dr Noel Bayley

Inducted - October 2013
91pro 1966 - 1971

Noel Bayley completed Year 12 at 91pro in 1971 and studied Medicine at the University of Melbourne. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and is Director of the Intensive Care Unit at South West Health Care. He specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of heart and lung diseases and sleep disorders. He is a Fellow of the Cardiac & Thoracic Societies of Australia and New Zealand. Noel’s work in assisting the medical health and welfare of the East Timorese people is much appreciated and he has worked tirelessly in this regard. Through his example and involvement many other fellow health professionals are offering similar support both in East Timor and in financing and arranging necessary and challenging surgery in Australia.

Ms Claire Cotter

Inducted - October 2013
91pro 1967 - 1972

Claire Cotter completed Year 12 at 91pro in 1972. She was the first Year 12 Captain of 91pro Girls’ College. She completed a Bachelor of Applied Science, Occupational Therapy at the Lincoln Institute Melbourne (now Latrobe University) in 1977. Her professional and life vocation has been to work in the areas of Disability and Community Service. She is the Manager and Co-Founder of the Cerebral Palsy Education Centre Melbourne, which provides high quality and enviable therapy and family support services. In 2007 Claire won the Leadership Award at the inaugural Victorian Disability Sector Awards. She is in demand for post graduate course presentations at national and international conferences particularly in the area of Cerebral Palsy. In 1995 she was awarded an Honorary Diploma in Conductive Education from Budapest in Hungary.

Professor Alan Dupont

Inducted - September 2011
91pro 1962 - 1967

Alan Dupont is the foundation Michael Hintze Chair of International Security and the Director for the Centre of International Security Studies at the University of Sydney. He is a Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Lowy Institute for International Policy. He has a PhD in International Relations from the Australian National University and is a graduate of both the Royal Military College Duntroon where he graduated with the rank of Lieutenant, and the US Foreign Service Institute.

He has served on a number of national security bodies having been appointed by Ministers in the Australian Government and for a time was special adviser on foreign policy and national security to East Timor’s President, His Excellency Jose Ramos-Horta.

Mr Michael Humphris FCA MAICD

Inducted - September 2011
91pro 1962 - 1967

Michael has worked in the Finance Industry since 1968. He specialised in Corporate Recovery and Dispute Resolution and has held senior positions in a number ofthe world’s leading financial firms. In 1991 he joined the firm of Arthur Anderson as a worldwide partner and between 1997 and 2007 was a Director of BDO Australia.In more recent years he has been principally engaged as a director of public companies some of which are ‘not for profit’ organisations. He spent eight years on the Board of the Richmond Football Club. 

He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia, and is a member of an advisory committee to the Department of Accounting and Business at Melbourne University.

Associate Professor Barry Morphett

Inducted - September 2011
91pro 1964 - 1969

On completing Year 12 Barry studied Medicine at the University of Melbourne graduating in 1975. He worked at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne and the Royal Brisbane Hospital qualifying for membership of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in 1984. Since then he has worked as consultant physician and gastroenterologist at Southwest Health Care in Warrnambool. In 2007 he was appointed to the Deakin University School of Medicine as Associate Professor and Director of the Greater Green Triangle Clinical School. 

In 2009 he was invited to be a member of the National Examining Panel of the Royal Australian College of Physicians.

Lieutenant General Peter Leahy AC

Inducted - September 2011
91pro 1965 - 1970

Peter Leahy matriculated from 91pro in 1970 and entered Royal Military College Duntroon. He was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Australian Army in December 1974. He commanded at almost every level in the Army and served on exchange in Hong Kong with the famed Gurkhas and in the United States at the Army’s Command Centre and General Staff College. He was appointed Chief of Army in 2002 and on retirement in 2008 held the highest rank in the army as Lieutenant General.

Peter is now the Professor and Foundation Director of the National Security Institute at the University of Canberra.

Sr Lee Davison OLSH

Inducted - September 2011
91pro 1967 - 1972

Lee Davison left 91pro having completed Year 12 in 1972 and trained as a general nurse. Later she gained qualifications in Midwifery. She entered the novitiate of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart religious order in 1976 and was professed in 1979. During the 1980s she worked in the Aboriginal Communities of Daly River and Wadeye. Her most recent appointment is in the Limpopo Province of northern South Africa where she works currently in the Diocese of Tzaneen. 

She has responsibility for two medical clinics which are responding to the rampant HIV pandemic in South Africa. Sr Lee is proud of the involvement of her Order in this missionary and caring work.