Women of Kinross Wolaroi: Shaping Futures, Making a Difference

At Kinross Wolaroi School, we believe education is about far more than academic achievement - it is about shaping character, nurturing courage and inspiring young people to pursue lives of purpose.

On International Women's Day, our community is proud to celebrate three remarkable women whose journeys reflect resilience, integrity and ambition. Their stories remind us that leadership takes many forms - in hospitals, in boardrooms and on the international sporting stage - and that confidence built at school can carry far beyond it.

We hope their experiences inspire our current students to step forward boldly, support one another and pursue their goals with conviction.

Timothy Kelly

Principal, Kinross Wolaroi School

Dr Rebekah Kwa (Class of 2013)
Medicine, Music and a Life Dedicated to Others

Since graduating from Kinross Wolaroi in 2013, Rebekah Kwa’s journey has woven together medicine, music and service.

After completing a Bachelor of Music (Cello) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, she went on to graduate in Medicine from the University of Sydney in 2020. Now based at Nepean Hospital, she is training to specialise as an anaesthetist.

Her medical training has taken her across Australia and overseas. During electives in Samoa, she worked amid an international aid effort responding to the devastating 2019 measles outbreak.

“It was an eerie precursor to the pandemic,” she recalls.

Beginning her career during COVID-19 was one of her greatest challenges. “Being a junior doctor at that time meant an enormous workload. We witnessed isolation, anguish and overwhelmed colleagues.” Support from close friendships and time in nature helped her navigate the emotional toll.

Despite the demands of medicine, Rebekah continues to nurture her love of music and the outdoors. She performs with the NSW Doctors Orchestra when she can and recharges through hiking and travel.

Reflecting on her school years, she remembers a life filled with orchestra rehearsals, sport, cadets and strong friendships. “I left Kinross Wolaroi brimming with confidence. I had worked hard and been rewarded for it. I felt that with continued hard work, all the pieces would fall into place - all that remained was to step out into the world.”

Looking back now, she reflects on the lasting impact of those years. “I live a very full life. Kinross was an important part of my well-rounded education.”

Inspired by the strong women in her family, Rebekah believes celebrating women’s achievements remains essential. “Sticky floors and glass ceilings still exist. As they say, you can’t be what you can’t see. Being able to imagine yourself achieving something is one less barrier to getting there.”

Christine McIntosh (first female Chair - Kinross Wolaroi School)
Leadership with Values and Purpose

Christine McIntosh’s professional and leadership journey spans more than three decades across law, governance and community service.

After studying at Australian National University, she joined Mallesons Stephen Jaques, specialising in banking and finance law. Her career took her to London and Sydney, where she worked within teams that valued performance, respect and collaboration. Later, after declining partnership to marry and move to a farm near Molong, she pioneered flexible remote work long before it became common practice, managing international projects from her farm office.

“I struck gold with the team I worked with and the mentors who supported me,” she says.

Christine’s leadership extended beyond the legal profession. She led Landcare initiatives, chaired community environmental groups, served as President of the Orange Picnic Races, and later joined the Kinross Wolaroi Board. She served for 11 years, including five as Chair - becoming the first woman to hold the role. “I was humbled by the opportunity and proud to have broken what once seemed like a glass ceiling.”

Encouraged by others to step into leadership, she accepted roles where she believed issues needed to be addressed. “What is exciting about leadership is the opportunity to set strategy and influence long-term outcomes.”

Her leadership philosophy has been shaped by decades of experience:

• Lead by example through hard work and perseverance
• Ask questions and challenge respectfully
• Build strong teams with the right expertise
• Stay true to your values
• Recognise change takes time
• Work constructively with difficult personalities
• Keep your sense of humour

She acknowledges that leadership brings criticism and competing viewpoints. “As long as you stay true to a considered long-term vision, believe it is the right thing to do, and you're backed by a fully informed board, do not waver.”

Christine credits her mother and grandmother for instilling the importance of education and financial independence and believes celebrating women’s contributions remains vital. “We must celebrate how far we have come, while recognising many women globally still lack the freedoms and educational opportunities we take for granted.”

Phoebe Litchfield (Class of 2021)
From School Sport to the World Stage

Since leaving Kinross Wolaroi School, Phoebe Litchfield has been living the dream of countless young athletes - representing the Australian women's national cricket team on the world stage while juggling part-time study toward a communications degree at the University of Sydney.

“Life’s pretty simple,” Phoebe laughs. “A lot of travel, hitting a few cricket balls, and chasing a dream I’ve had since I was a little kid.”

Her love of sport began early, nurtured by her PE teachers and coaches, and fuelled by her competitive spirit. From handball courts to lunchtime basketball games, Phoebe challenged herself constantly - often playing alongside boys and proving she could match their skill and determination.

“I believed I was one of the boys,” she says .“Playing with them made me better and made me feel like I truly belonged.”

Her dedication and early sacrifices set her on a path to elite sport. Long training hours, intense competitions and prioritising sport over other things were all part of her teenage years. “I wouldn’t change it for the world,” she reflects, “but there were times when the sacrifices of training and travel were tough.”

Phoebe also speaks candidly about the challenges of professional sport. Constant travel, time away from family and friends, and the physical and mental demands of elite cricket require resilience. Yet, for her, the joy of representing her country outweighs the sacrifices.

“My mum - known to the Kinross Wolaroi community as Mrs Litchfield - has been my greatest supporter, along with my sister,” she says. “They’ve kept me grounded and reminded me what matters. And having a mentor like Ellyse Perry has been incredible - someone I could look up to as a kid and now share coffee and life stories with as a teammate.”

Phoebe credits her school experiences for shaping more than her sporting abilities. Cadets, drama and collaborative projects taught her persistence, teamwork, compassion and confidence. “School gave me a sense of self I still carry today. Those long days on cadet camps, or even performing my first monologue in drama class, taught me more about myself than any other experience.”

Looking ahead, Phoebe hopes her story inspires the next generation of students.

“I’m fortunate to grow up in an era where women are celebrated in sport and beyond. I hope girls today realise they can strive for more than ever before - to dream big, work hard and know they belong in any arena they choose.”

Inspiring the Next Generation

Together, these three women embody the strength, resilience and possibility nurtured within the Kinross Wolaroi community. Their journeys remind us that leadership is not confined to one path. It is expressed through care, courage, integrity and determination - and through the willingness to step forward and make a difference.

As we mark International Women’s Day, their stories encourage young people to imagine boldly, work hard and lead with purpose.

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