Meet Melissa
MEET
Melissa
“You can’t wear that green uniform for that many years and not learn something about standing out and standing up for what you believe in.”
LISTEN TO MELISSA’S STORY
Melissa Downes
SOMERVILLE OLD GIRL AND MEDIA TRAILBLAZER
A familiar face to the people of Brisbane, Melissa Downes is the week night newsreader on Channel 9 and has covered some of the biggest stories to affect Queenslanders.
Melissa exemplifies everything a Somerville House education can lead to: a successful person in her chosen career and a tireless supporter of numerous charities and the greater Brisbane community.
Radiating confidence, yet with a natural warmth and down-to-earth personality, Melissa is most appreciative of her time at Somerville House. She attributes it to instilling in her resilience and independence. “You can’t wear that green uniform for that many years and not learn something about standing out and standing up for what you believe in,” Melissa said.
“What I love about Somerville is that it doesn’t matter what your forté is; whatever it is, it is encouraged. It can be art, sport or academics. Whatever you love doing, Somerville supports you and encourages you to create your own story.”
Melissa’s hope for both her daughters’ education is that they develop a sense of belonging and a sense of grounding that will enable them to develop their own sense of self, such that it will carry them through life. She also hopes they will learn to love learning because that’s something that will endure, no matter what career path they take.
“You can’t wear that green uniform for that many years and not learn something about standing out and standing up for what you believe in.”
LISTEN TO MELISSA’S STORY
Melissa Downes
SOMERVILLE OLD GIRL AND MEDIA TRAILBLAZER
A familiar face to the people of Brisbane, Melissa Downes is the week night newsreader on Channel 9 and has covered some of the biggest stories to affect Queenslanders.
Melissa exemplifies everything a Somerville House education can lead to: a successful person in her chosen career and a tireless supporter of numerous charities and the greater Brisbane community.
Radiating confidence, yet with a natural warmth and down-to-earth personality, Melissa is most appreciative of her time at Somerville House. She attributes it to instilling in her resilience and independence. “You can’t wear that green uniform for that many years and not learn something about standing out and standing up for what you believe in,” Melissa said.
“What I love about Somerville is that it doesn’t matter what your forté is; whatever it is, it is encouraged. It can be art, sport or academics. Whatever you love doing, Somerville supports you and encourages you to create your own story.”
Melissa’s hope for both her daughters’ education is that they develop a sense of belonging and a sense of grounding that will enable them to develop their own sense of self, such that it will carry them through life. She also hopes they will learn to love learning because that’s something that will endure, no matter what career path they take.
Other notable Somerville House Old Girls
Below is a small selection of our Alumnae.
Margaret Olley, Artist
Victoria Lambourn, Acclaimed Soloist
Rhana Devenport, Director of the Art Gallery of South Australia
Dr Alice Chang, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Dr Abigail Allwood, NASA Scientist
Jess Black, Award-winning Children’s Author
The Honourable Justice Anthe Philippides, Retired Supreme Court Judge
Lisa Curry, Olympic Swimmer and Entrepreneur
Jackie French, Author
Marion Grasby, Journalist and Cook
Lindy Morrison, Musician
Libby Trickett, Olympic Swimmer
Amanda Boxtel, Foundation Executive Director
Jillian Kingsford Smith, Journalist
Susan McNeil, Barrister and finalist 2017 Queensland Lawyer of the Year
Rhyl Hinwood AM CF, Sculptor
Emma & Amy Sheppard, Musicians
Julia Price, Australian Cricketer
Below is a small selection of our Alumnae.
Margaret Olley, Artist
Victoria Lambourn, Acclaimed Soloist
Rhana Devenport, Director of the Art Gallery of South Australia
Dr Alice Chang, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Dr Abigail Allwood, NASA Scientist
Jess Black, Award-winning Children’s Author
The Honourable Justice Anthe Philippides, Retired Supreme Court Judge
Lisa Curry, Olympic Swimmer and Entrepreneur
Jackie French, Author
Marion Grasby, Journalist and Cook
Lindy Morrison, Musician
Libby Trickett, Olympic Swimmer
Amanda Boxtel, Foundation Executive Director
Jillian Kingsford Smith, Journalist
Susan McNeil, Barrister and finalist 2017 Queensland Lawyer of the Year
Rhyl Hinwood AM CF, Sculptor
Emma & Amy Sheppard, Musicians
Julia Price, Australian Cricketer
