I could never have guessed where my life would take me when I graduated from Ivanhoe Girls’ in 2004, having spent all of my education in the warm embrace of the School. But looking back, my schooling gave me all the tools I needed to forge my own, authentic, unpredictable, and incredibly rewarding path.

I could not have imagined that 20 years later I would end up living in Tasmania and working as a senior public servant on a huge range of social policy issues for the Premier and Cabinet, with my wonderful partner (soon to be wife) Anne, four stepchildren, two grandchildren, and two highly strung but adorable schnauzers, in a house overlooking the Derwent River.

My pathway to this point has taken me overseas, through marriage and divorce, and a career that has seen me move from working in public libraries, to Senior Political Advisor to the Minister for Education, to the roles of Deputy Secretary and Chief Reform Officer in the Department of Premier and Cabinet working across a wide range of reform areas.

I have now lived in Tasmania for over a decade, and whilst I will always be a Melbournian at heart, I am a passionate advocate for the amazing island where I live and nurture my family. Tasmania is beautiful and brutal, wild and contained, conservative and radical all at once. It’s an incredible place to work in the public service, where you are always so close to the community you serve and where you can see the real life impacts of your day to day work.

At 38, I’m not sure what is around the next corner, but courage and authenticity has guided me to where I am now, and I couldn’t imagine a better place to be.

Ivanhoe Girls’ gave me a deeply held belief that I could speak for myself, not let others define me, and go after my aspirations with integrity, purpose and tenacity. This has led me to some crazy situations: negotiating Tasmania’s NDIS agreement with the Australian Government, meeting former Prime Ministers and Ministers, welcoming artists and creatives to Tasmania, briefing the commander of the United States Antarctic Marine Command, working with three different Premiers, being appointed to national boards, and advising on mask mandates in schools during COVID. So many different things - not to mention an incredibly productive vegetable garden!

This has not always been easy - and it won’t always be easy professionally or personally. Like many women, I face the daily challenges of balancing work and family – and meeting all of the needs in my life, whilst taking care of my own health and wellbeing. But like the long line of Ivanhoe Girls’ that came before me, I forge ahead committed to making positive difference in my own way.

Courtney Hurworth
Class of 2004

From my earliest days at Ivanhoe Girls’, I was drawn to the idea of making a difference - though I never imagined just how many directions that path would take me. At school, I knew I wanted to work in a caring profession, but over time that care has extended far beyond any one role.

After leaving school, I completed a General Arts degree in Psychology, which laid the groundwork for what would become a richly varied career. I later moved into occupational therapy, and today, I work as a Workplace Mental Health and Wellbeing Specialist - a role that allows me to draw on everything I’ve learned, from studies to life experience. That said, I haven’t followed one straight line, and I’ve never been afraid to take a detour. I often found myself pivoting as new opportunities - or sheer curiosity - led me elsewhere. One thing has remained constant: a drive to do meaningful work alongside good people. That foundation was laid during my time at school, and it continues to shape everything I do.

How times have changed! When I first walked through the gates of Ivanhoe Girls’ in 1983, the Junior School had bought its very first computer. By the time I finished the junior years, computers had found a place in every classroom, quietly transforming how we learned. Fast forward to Year 12 and technology was already beginning to weave itself into daily school life, from word processors to clunky desktop terminals. It’s astonishing to think how far things have come - from floppy disks and dial-up to the digital ecosystems students use today.

But beyond the tech advances and textbooks, some of my most vivid memories come from the experiences that took me beyond the classroom. Travelling to China in 1994 with a group of fellow students was unforgettable - not just for the cultural immersion and language practice, but for the feeling of independence and discovery. Another special highlight was playing in the school orchestra each Celebration Night, performing on the Hamer Hall stage with the lights in our eyes and excitement in the air. These moments gave me confidence, perspective, and community - and reminded me how much we could achieve together.

One of the greatest joys of my school years - and life since - has been the friendships that started in those classrooms. I’m still close friends with someone I started with in Prep! She stood beside me as a bridesmaid decades later, and I still call her when I need a laugh, a reality check, or a reminder of just how far we’ve come. That enduring friendship is only one example of the incredible community I found at school - particularly the amazing women whom I was lucky enough to learn and grow alongside. Even then, I was struck by their strength, humour, and warmth. It’s been a lifelong source of inspiration, and a big reason I care so deeply about what this school gives to the next generation.

Now, being part of the School Board feels like both a full-circle moment and a small way of giving back to a place that shaped so much of who I am. I bring to it not just professional experience, but a personal commitment to the values of inclusion, care and opportunity. And every time I walk past Prep, I still feel a little burst of pride - and a reminder that those first steps really can take you places.

If I could share one message with current students, it’s this: take the opportunities when they arise, even if they’re not what you expected. Try different things. Follow your interests. Don’t pigeonhole yourself - the world is changing at a fast pace, and sometimes the best thing you can do is go with it.

Holly Simonetti
Class of 1995

Editor's Note: Holly was appointed Treasurer of the School Board at the Annual General Meeting in May 2025.