The value of education is immeasurable, and for many, it is not just about academic learning. The significance of education can be seen in the personal and professional growth of an individual, in shaping who she becomes and what she accomplishes in life. For Erin-Marie O’Neill, Loreto Toorak played a significant role in her development. Sr Ruth Winship and Sr Deirdre Rofe were not only outstanding leaders but dear friends to Erin-Marie. She often thinks of them and imagines their guidance, even years after graduating. In her early years at the School, Erin-Marie and her classmates thought they were entrepreneurial geniuses with private knickerbocker sales. They were quite concerned with scary stairs in the mansion, long socks, and their flannel sports uniforms. But as they grew older, they enjoyed dancing classes, visiting the elderly, and “new” subjects like Economics!
In Year 12, students were encouraged to "do good and do it well." This message stuck with Erin-Marie as she went on to attend Monash University and enter the corporate world. From ANZ Banking Group to PwC and IBM consulting, she enjoyed her experiences and made lifelong friends. Her work career and personal life highlights were always accompanied by people she respected, learned from, and who inspired her.
However, Erin-Marie's life took an unexpected turn when she moved to the Yarra Valley with her husband John and started producing wine. While it wasn't something she had anticipated doing, her Loreto education taught her the value of tenacity, courage, and the importance of community. The Black Saturday fires swept through their small vineyard, but they decided to stay, rebuild, and handpick grapes for their first pinot noir a few years later.
Erin-Marie and her husband John have successfully established Nine One Six in Steels Creek. The grapes are hand-picked from a specific area of the vineyard, fermented separately, aged in select barrels and each bottle bears a unique serial number indicating where in the vineyard that bottle comes from. Whilst not a cellar door, when visiting the wine region in the Yarra Valley, pop into www.nineonesix.com.au on Steels Creek Road and be sure to let Erin-Marie know you’re from the Loreto Community.
To her younger self at Loreto Toorak, Erin-Marie advises embracing every moment of the experience, learning from the wonderful teachers in that beautiful environment, and creating lifelong friendships. For her, the significance of her Loreto education is something she will always cherish.
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