From Panama Hats to Interior Design: Tina Kent (Fairholme Old Girl 1999)
March 24, 2025
Tina Kent | 1999 | Black House | Day Girl
'One of the things I loved about Fairholme was the emphasis on encouragement, empowering each other and celebrating each others’ achievements.'
For Fairholme Old Girl and successful interior designer, Tina Kent (1999), these seemingly small rules were more than just guidelines; they were a way of teaching the importance of maintaining a strong, consistent presence, both personally and professionally. She says in the same way the emphasis on kindness and respect at Fairholme wasn’t just about being polite, ‘it was about representing our values in everything we did, no matter the situation.’
‘The creative side of Interior decorating is equally as important as the communication side,’ she says. ‘I have to be able to communicate my ideas, the look of the room and practically how it will function to the client. At Fairholme, I remember being encouraged to speak on assembly, and have my own opinions in class, with the Principal and teachers.
‘I think Fairholme gave me the training to be able to speak about an area of knowledge with confidence. I also think having a go and being kind were two big messages that came out of school.’
When Tina walked out Palm Drive for the last time in 1999, she earned a Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics degree and spent a decade working in the industry… until her passion for interior design gradually took centre stage. What began as a seed of interest in pretty and practical wares and fashion, soon evolved into a fully-fledged career shift, as she discovered a love for creating beautiful, functional spaces. Driven by her creative vision and a desire to bring aesthetic harmony to the environments around her, she embraced the world of interior design, where her unique perspective and attention to detail would flourish. Her brand, LCA (Lady Chatterley’s Affair), has gained such popularity among interior enthusiasts, she has recently expanded to include not only interiors, but home decor, homewares, fashion, accessories and workshops.
‘LCA started when Mum had an idea to design and manufacture beautiful coloured shopping baskets inspired by a vintage basket her grandmother had. We began wholesaling our LCA Baskets into boutiques and gift shops all over Australia. After the baskets were successful, we started adding other fashion accessories - leather bags, jewellery, children’s clothes, hats and shoes.’
But it was one ostensibly innocuous interaction with her Geography teacher in 1997 that has perhaps had the most impact on her career.
‘My Geography teacher, Mrs Sulewski (who was also my favourite teacher!) was incredibly practical but used to wear high heels to school every day. When I was in Year 10, I remember her saying, ‘Look at the demographic trends and choose a career that will be highly sought after.’
In 2010, Tina did indeed look at the demographic trends and started an online shop selling fashion accessories and soft furnishings. ‘I wonder if Mrs Sulewski knew just how huge ecommerce would become?’
‘I started my online shop before any of the major shops were online, and we used to send parcels all over Australia. Many of my customers were based in regional areas of Australia. Life was very busy and full with two babies and a small business. I was decorating our home and customers used to ask about soft furnishings and so over time I started to professionally decorate their homes… Interestingly, many of these customers are Fairholme Old Girls.’
This Fairholme Old Girl network support has proven to be a powerful and invaluable asset when it comes to growing her business. Tina says the strong, supportive community of past students, bound by the shared history and a deep commitment to one another, has provided a unique platform for collaboration and opportunity. In regional Australia, where connections can be somewhat limiting, the Fairholme Old Girl network has become a vital lifeline, fostering both professional growth and personal connections that have helped her business thrive.
‘At the time I didn’t realise how extensive the country girl network was in regional Australia. Since having an online shop and using mainly social media for marketing I can now see how valuable that network is.
‘Many of my customers are Fairholme Old Girls that I didn’t know at school, yet started supporting my business in its early days. Clients like working with people they know and feel comfortable with, and I find rapport with country women – and Fairholme Old Girls - very easy.’
Tina credits part of her success to this tenant; the power of women supporting one another in business, and in life. ‘One of the things I loved about Fairholme was the emphasis on encouragement, empowering each other and celebrating each other’s achievements,’ she reflects.
‘I was always very motivated by friends who were clever at school and, in turn, they cheered me on to achieve. At school, I felt like we were all encouraged as individuals to achieve, and then we celebrated the achievements as a group. There were so many activities and options at Fairholme for girls to be good at different things. I’ve had support and backing throughout my career from excellent females and it has been so valuable.’
The interhouse rivalry at the swimming carnival and dance competition, fundraising for Interact, the musicals with Toowoomba Grammar School, and the friendships between Day Girls and Boarders are all touchstone memories for Tina, and she hopes current students create their own lasting memories, finding joy in the friendly competition, the spirit of giving, and the bonds formed both in and outside the classroom.
‘Fairholme for me was about building confidence. I left school confident I could achieve at university, confident to be able to meet with, and speak to, people in all social situations, confident to make lasting friendships, and confident that I could achieve at anything I dedicated time and effort to.
‘I would encourage the current Fairholme cohort to get involved in as much as possible at school and try all of the things. A career can twist and turn and take on many different paths, but the skills of making friendships, finding the joy in what you do, and empowering fellow females are invaluable - and lasting.’
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Off the back of her selection in the Queensland team, set to compete at the Australian Schools Swimming Championship in Brisbane in July, Year 8 student Mia Geise talks about her record breaking journey in the face of adversity. How did you get into swimming, and have you always swum competitively? When I was two years old my older brother Henry was taking learn to swim lessons at Fairholme, and I used to go along with my parents and was wanting to join in. It is funny to think back, that as a two-year-old I started learn to swim lessons with Mrs Dickinson and she used to tell the instructors to, ‘watch out for Mia as she will jump in the pool when you’re not looking’. I had no fear and just wanted to get on with it. All the instructors and swim coaches were aware that I had received a liver transplant when I was not even 4 months old. They were very supportive of me, and I went through the learn to swim grades. I commenced swimming competitively at meets when I was about 7 years old and swam for the Junior School at Andrews Cup. In Year 4 my health took a turn, and the doctors told my parents that I needed another transplant. The family moved to Brisbane to prepare. As I got sicker, I had to give up my favourite activities, including swimming which was really hard. I had a second transplant in Year 5, and six weeks after that, I was feeling healthy again, back at swim squad, but not competing. I returned to Fairholme at the beginning of Year 7 where my THRIVE teacher Mrs Aleesa Barton mentioned to me that I might be eligible to compete in multi class sport events. When I talked to Dad, he thought it was a great opportunity for me and got me registered to compete in multi class swimming and athletics. I was swimming in Fitness Squad at the time and with the encouragement of the Development Coach Mr Michael (Mick) Winton I returned to swim squad under his guidance. That was about nine months ago, and in November 2024, I resumed swimming competitively after more than a three year break. My goals at my first meet was to set new times to simply enable me to swim in multi class events at the Queensland Swimming Championships in December last year. The unexpected happened... I not only set some new times which allowed me to swim at the Queensland Championships, but I set National qualifying times. This was the start of what has been an extraordinary past six months where I have achieved more than I ever thought was possible. What does your weekly training schedule look like? I currently swim up to three times a week with the Development Squad under the guidance of my coach, Mr Mick Winton, and I also participate in two lighter sessions with the Fitness Squad. In addition to swimming, I incorporate a gym session at school to focus on strengthening. During the cross country and track and field seasons, I adjust my training by reducing the number of swim sessions and replacing them with two running sessions to maintain my conditioning. What do you love about swimming? It isn’t all about training and competition. I have made lovely friendships with my squad members and the young women I compete against. Do you have a favourite stroke? Breaststroke is by far my best stroke and is definitely my favourite. I enjoy the feeling when going through (almost cutting) the water when I am swimming breaststroke. You are off to Nationals in July, do you have any goals for this meet? I am selected for multi-class 50m and 100m Breaststroke and 200m Mixed Medley Relay Team A (Breaststroke). Even though I am at the younger end of the 13-15 age group if I swim personal best times, I will be competitive in my individual events. My goal is for personal bests and top 6 finishes, anything better than that will be a bonus. In the Mixed Medley, we have a real chance of a top 2 finish. It is going to be an exciting 3 days for Coach Mick and me; I am looking forward to it! Do you have any long-term sporting goals? My dad says that slow and steady wins the race when it comes to long-term progression in sport and to not get ahead of myself. We take every training block and swim meet as stepping stones to continue with setting personal best times that will in the future hopefully make me the best junior multi-class breaststroker in Australia. If I achieve this, it has potential to open pathways to gain selection in junior teams to compete internationally. Is there anyone particular who inspires you? Alexa Leary – A multi-class swimmer and Paralympics gold medallist, and world record holder. Four years ago, while training for triathlon Alexa had a horrible crash on her bike that left her with brain damage and weakness down her right side. Alexa’s courage and determination to learn to speak and walk again and go on to swim for Australia at a Paralympics is extraordinary. It gives me the chills. MEDALS Australian Age and Multi Class Age Championships Bronze: 12–13 Years 50m Breaststroke Queensland Representative Schools Championships Bronze: 13–15 Years 50m Breaststroke Bronze: 13–15 Years 100m Breaststroke Queensland Championships Silver: Open 100m Breaststroke Bronze: Open 50m Breaststroke Silver: 12–14 Years 50m and 100m Breaststroke Silver: 12–14 Years 50m and 100m Backstroke Queensland Sprint Championships Silver: 12–14 Years 50m Breaststroke RECORDS Australian Records Long Course: Open: 50m, 100m, and 200m Breaststroke (three records) 13 Years and Under: 50m, 100m, and 200m Breaststroke (three records) Short Course: Open: 100m Breaststroke and 100m Medley (two records) 13 Years and Under: 50m and 100m Backstroke, 50m and 100m Breaststroke, 100m Medley (five records) Queensland Records Long Course: Open: 50m, 100m, and 200m Breaststroke; 50m and 100m Backstroke (five records) 13 Years: 50m and 100m Freestyle, 50m and 100m Breaststroke, 50m & 100m Backstroke (six records) 12 Years: 50m and 100m Freestyle, 50m, 100m and 200m Breaststroke, 50m and 100m Backstroke (seven records) (Note: No Queensland Short Course records are maintained for Multi Class)
To find your calling in life—and to feel a deep connection to a vocation—is a special thing. For Sophie Byatt, that calling has always been clear: she knew from a young age that she wanted to care for and serve others. A career in healthcare is calling her. Now in Year 11, Sophie is undertaking the Health Services Advanced Pathway Program through Fairholme’s Health Hub—a fully equipped, on-campus simulated hospital ward with an Allied Health station. The Fairholme Health Hub is a unique offering in skilling our next generation of health professionals. For girls like Sophie, it has provided the opportunity to learn and explore a job in healthcare in real time. After successfully completing Certificates II and III in Health Support Services, Sophie has enrolled in the STATIM Micro-credential Program. This unique initiative allows her to gain hands-on experience by taking shifts in hospitals and aged care facilities under the guidance of registered nurse mentors. Learning on the job is giving Sophie—and other students like her— the skills and confidence to get a head start in their healthcare careers. Sophie’s mother, Tamika Byatt, says the program has opened countless doors and given Sophie the clarity that a career in health is the right path for her. Through her work caring for the elderly, sick, and vulnerable in the community, Sophie has also connected with Fairholme Old Girls and former staff members. These experiences have deepened her sense of purpose and commitment to serving others. Looking ahead, Sophie plans to study a Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Southern Queensland in 2027, with aspirations to specialise in paediatrics or midwifery. Well done to each of our Year 11 and Year 12 students who have recently completed the STATIM Micro-credential Program: Sophie Byatt, Serah Vimal, Olivia Kennedy and Lucy Schwennesen. For more information, visit Fairholme Pathways Program .
As a regional centre, Toowoomba has long been known for its charm, heritage and lifestyle – but in recent years, it has also become one of Queensland’s most exciting and dynamic growth corridors. After listening to demographer, Simon Kuestenmacher, recently, Toowoomba has a growing importance as Australia’s second largest regional hub, reflected by both population growth and economic data. For families choosing to live and educate their children in this region, there is much to celebrate – and a great reason to be optimistic about the future. Over recent weeks, I had the great honour of attending the ICPA (Isolated Children’s Parens’ Association) State Conference in St George – an inspiring gathering of parents, educators and community leaders passionate about ensuring equity in education for rural and remote students. What struck me most was the deep commitment to connection – to building strong pathways for children no matter where they live, and to strengthening the regions that sustain them. This theme could not be more relevant. Our city continues to experience significant population growth, attracting families not only from metropolitan areas but also from across Northern New South Wales. As the gateway to the Darling Downs and the south-west, Toowoomba services a vast catchment and this demand is driving impressive investment in infrastructure and opportunity, particularly in the health sector. Healthcare is currently the largest employer in the Toowoomba region, accounting for one in every five local jobs. That’s 20% of our regional workforce engaged in caring for others (Toowoomba Regional Council Economic Profile, 2023/4). This is only growing. With the new Toowoomba Hospital on the horizon (Queensland Government Darling Downs Health, 2025) and an ever-increasing demand to service areas throughout Queensland and Northern New South Wales, the need for dedicated, well-trained health professional has never been more urgent. And yet, as health services expand, there is a growing shortage o f workers – particularly in nursing, allied health, mental health and aged care. The good news is that regional students who study and train locally are far more likely to stay, live and work in those same communities (Regional Universities Network, NA). They – the young women in our classrooms now – are the future of our region. That is why I am so proud of the work happening in our College’s Health Hub. This innovative space is more than just a classroom – it is a launch pad. It’s where curiosity meets compassion and where students begin to imagine how they might make a positive impact. In 2024, Health was the single largest study area for our students – a strong sign that our young women are listening to the needs of their community and leaning into service. Our partnership program with Mater Education and on-the job options with STATIM Regional Health Solutions is already providing students with real work learning opportunities and micro credentialling to give them a head start with their future pathways. I recently received one of the loveliest letters I have e ver received in my time as an educator, from a grateful son whose mother had been provided care by one of our girls during work experience. He shared that ‘although this student’s genuine kindness is exceptional to our mind, I have no doubt that it is indicative of the values that are instilled in your Fairholme students more generally.’ With over a dozen of our current Year 12 girls eagerly preparing to sit their medical entry exams through UCAT preparations, this touching tribute to our students and staff could not be more fitting. With a rapidly changing world, there is no doubt that health remains one of the most stable and essential sectors – both now and into the future. But more than that, it is a deeply human profession. Whether our graduates go on to become doctors, nurses, paramedics, allied health professionals or researchers, we know they will be making an impact that matters. Toowoomba is not just growing - it is thriving. And as educators, we are excited to be helping shape a generation who will contribute meaningfully to that growth. Our College is proud to stand at the intersection of education, innovation and community service. To each of our families - thank you. Thank you for the sacrifices you make, the values you instil and the trust you place in us. The ICPA reminded me once again of the strength that exists in our rural and regional families - and of how important it is that our schools honour that strength with opportunity. The future looks bright – and I have every confidence it will be even brighter with our graduates at the helm. Have a restful break and I look forward to seeing you and your daughters back for an exciting and inspiring second semester. Dr Leigh Hobart Principal
