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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It has been nothing short of extraordinary, a testament to the dedication of our students, staff and families who make our school such a vibrant and inspiring place to learn and grow. There are many memories from this term in my first year that will linger for a time to come. The Year 6 Graduation was a beautiful celebration of our Junior School girls stepping confidently into the next chapter of their educational journey. Their music and presentation reflected maturity beyond their years and their enthusiasm about what is to come was infectious. Similarly, the Junior School Presentation Assembly showcased the incredible talent and effort of younger students. These awards remind us that success comes in many forms. At the other end of the spectrum, our Year 12 external exams ended with our glorious Valedictory dinner and assembly honouring the graduating class of 2025. These young women have left an indelible and positive mark on our school. Their leadership and camaraderie went beyond being known as our 100%ers and we know they will continue to shine brightly in their chosen paths. Beyond the classroom, our students have embraced opportunities to challenge themselves and excel. This year, our team garnered national recognition in the Future Anything showcase, where their innovative ideas placed them among the country’s best young entrepreneurs. Likewise, our Junior School Lego League newcomers impressed everyone with their creativity, research and problem-solving skills, proving that age is no barrier to innovation. Sporting achievements this month were equally inspiring. Eden Broksch claimed the title of State Tetrathlon Champion for her age bracket – a feat that speaks to determination and versatility. These successes remind us that education is not confined to textbooks. It flourishes on sports field, stages and in collaborative spaces where passion meets perseverance. The November edition of At Holme is brimming with stories that reflect the heart and soul of our community. You will read about our amazing Mrs Nichol, whose dedication to our youngest Kindy students earned her the prestigious National Excellence in Teaching Apple Award. She is a shining example of the impact great educators have on young lives. Miranda Mann, our Head Boarder, shares insights into the unique experience of living and learning on campus, offering a glimpse into the bonds that make boarding life so special. We also celebrate Mariam Nabizada who was named Lion’s Youth of the Year for the Wilsonton club, a recognition of leadership and service that embodies our school values. These individual achievements, alongside team triumphs, weave a narrative of excellence that is both humbling and inspiring. What makes these accomplishments truly meaningful is the sense of community that underpins them. Parents, teacher and friends have all played a role in nurturing talent and encouraging ambition. Whether cheering from the sidelines, guiding through challenges, or simply offering words of support, our collective efforts have created an environment where every student can burn yet flourish. As we close the chapter on 2025, on behalf of the entire staff, I extend my heartfelt thanks to our families, Old Girls and broader community for your unwavering support and partnership. It is through value of collaboration that we continue to build Fairholme as a school where character is nurtured alongside a commitment to excellence in whatever we do. I wish each of you a Merry Christmas and restful summer break, as the festive season approaches. May this holiday bring time for relaxation, laughter and connection with loved ones. We look forward to welcoming you back in the new year, ready to embrace fresh opportunities and challenges with the same spirit that has made 2025 so memorable. Here is to a bright and exciting 2026! Dr Leigh Hobart | Principal
As we welcome a new year, 2026 Head Boarder Miranda Mann talks about her ambition for her time in the role, reflects on her formative years and looks to what the future holds beyond the tartan. Miranda represents the sixth-generation of cattle graziers from Hillgrove Station, north of Charters Towers. With a deep connection to the land and a heart full of compassion, Miranda brings a grounded, inclusive, and community-focused ideal to the Head Boarder role in 2026. Beginning at Fairholme in Year 7, when she first arrived from her family’s historic Brahman cattle station, established in 1861, before the founding of Townsville. The transition from rural life to boarding school was significant, but it was the unwavering support of her fellow boarders and the dedicated boarding staff that helped her find her place. “An experience that has shaped me to who I am today is the support I received from fellow boarders and staff during tough times,” Miranda reflects. “It’s a great feeling when you know the people around you care for you and want you to succeed. That drives me to do the same for others, because the impact can be significant.” As Head Boarder, Miranda is most excited about working closely with students and staff throughout the year, especially during key events that bring the community together. “I want to make the most of my time left at Fairholme, it’s going to fly by,” she says. “My goal is to leave an everlasting impact by building a more connected and respectful boarding environment. I want every girl to feel comfortable and to enjoy the boarding space even more than they do now.” Miranda’s hope is that her leadership style is rooted in empathy and action. She encourages younger boarders to embrace every opportunity: “Get involved with others and join in on activities around the boarding house, even something as simple as a game of touch. It really makes the term more enjoyable and creates everlasting memories. And don’t be afraid to try new extracurriculars, even if you haven’t done them before.” With her strong sense of community, deep appreciation for her roots, and a genuine desire to uplift those around her, Miranda Mann is set to make 2026 a memorable and meaningful year for the Fairholme boarding family.
Friendship, connection, and a beautiful handover afternoon tea. At the beginning of this year, our Boarding Wellbeing Audit highlighted one message loud and clear: strong peer support is one of the most powerful influences on boarder wellbeing. In response, we set out with intention to strengthen and expand the ways our older girls walk beside and uplift our younger ones. In Term 2, we introduced our Middle Sisters program: a group of dedicated Year 11 Boarders who stepped in to support our Year 7s as the Year 12 academic demands increased. Over the past three terms, the Year 7s and Year 11s have shared plenty of laughs, chats, and practical support, building bonds that have enriched daily boarding life. Wanting our Year 8s to experience the same connection, we extended the initiative to include Year 10 Boarders who were interested to take on a similar role. This group has done a wonderful job running relaxed, group-style mentoring over shared dinners—something the Year 8s have thoroughly enjoyed. A big thank you to Year 11 Boarder, Bella Quinn, who has taken the lead in organising our next group of peer mentors. She has brought together our current Year 9s, who will step into mentoring roles in 2026, supporting today’s Year 7s as they move into Year 8, continuing the cycle of connection and care. Bella hosted a lovely afternoon tea to mark the handover. It was a chance for our Year 11 Middle Sisters to introduce their Year 7s to the new Year 9 mentors who will walk alongside them next year. The Cameron Room was filled with chatter, laughter and the beginnings of friendships that will carry through many years of boarding life. It was a reminder of what makes our community so special: girls supporting girls, encouraging one another, and finding strength in connection.
