Preshil Alumni

While still in her final year studying Architecture at RMIT and just 24 years old, Zahava Elenberg co-established architecture firm, Elenberg Fraser.

Her first project was the 26 level Liberty Tower. She later created two successful new businesses and balances a busy career with motherhood.

Preshil gave Zahava the determination, initiative and belief in herself to aim high.

Dr Gideon Boas worked for the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia for nine years and was the Court’s principal lawyer on the Milosevic case.

Among his many achievements, he has published six books and many articles on International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law.

It is our pleasure to highlight the remarkable achievements of one of our alumni, Louise Davidson.

Many of you will already know Louise as the mum of Kaye, Lily and Rosie at Preshil but may not be aware of her role in establishing and managing the Mothers Day Classic Walk/Run for Breast Cancer Research.Having lost her mum to breast cancer.

Louise led the establishment and growth of the Mothers Day Classic event, a phenomenon that has raised over $5.7 million for the National Breast Cancer Foundation since 1998 and attracted 80,000 participants nationally in 2009.

In 2008 Louise was inducted onto the Victorian Honour Roll for Women in recognition for her work on the Mothers Day Classic.Louise currently works for Cbus, the industry superannuation fund for the building and construction industry, as ESG Investment Manager. In this role she is responsible for the integration of Environmental, Social and Governance issues in Cbus’ investment processes.

Louise has worked in the superannuation industry for 20 years. Louise is also Secretary of the Investor Group on Climate Change, Deputy Chair of ESG Research Australia, a member of the Steering Committee for the Carbon Disclosure Project in Australia, National Chair of the Mothers Day Classic and National Secretary of Women in Super.

With a love of learning that was fostered at Preshil, Ben Cleveland found his passion for education. An experienced primary and secondary school teacher, Ben’s research focuses on the design of learning environments that support contemporary educational philosophies – such as those found at Preshil.

Lauren created sporting history when she won the first Olympic medal for Taekwondo at the Sydney Games.

Lauren is a Naturopath Nutritionist (BHSc), a highly sought-after speaker and runs her own business – ‘Love Your Planet’ – an eco-friendly Zip Bag business.

Preshil helped Lauren develop the focus and determination necessary to become an Olympic champion, and when asked about her time here shares a beautiful sentiment, “I loved Preshil and the wonderful friendships I developed”

Anton is a Melbourne based fine furniture designer and maker who cites his influences as Biedermeier, Shaker and Art Deco.

After leaving school and studying at the Melbourne School of Woodcraft, Anton gained experience working for other furniture makers before starting up his own business, now located in Victoria Road, Hawthorn.

His work is a mixture of private one-off commissions, architectural fit outs and batch production work that he wholesales to architects, interior designers and retailers.

Many of his designs feature highly figured veneers, however he prefers to work in solid timber, both Australian and imported. Contrasting timbers and inlay details also feature often in his work. Anton is all about high quality construction and finish and loves to harness the full power of jigs and top end technology to achieve his aims.

Anton has had work accepted for Design Book Six published by Fine Woodworking Magazine and is a regular contributor to the Australian Wood Review magazine. Over the 17 years he has been exhibiting, his work has won him numerous awards including the Natural Feature in Furniture Award, one of the most prestigious awards for furniture design in Australia. One-off exhibition pieces have been purchased and are held in many private collections throughout Australia.

Anton’s love of creation began at Preshil where he discovered a passion and unquestionable skill for woodworking.

Awarded Prix de la Photographic, Steph has won various national and international awards for her unique art. She is best known for her pinhole work (panoramic montages taken with a camera made from a biscuit tin), and has exhibited her work worldwide, including in Parliament House, New York City and the Ballarat International Foto Biennale.

We were delighted to hear Clare winning Best Female Artist at the ARIAs in 2006.

Co-founder and Creative Director of Melbourne’s Sleepers Publishing, Zoe Dattner has enjoyed a distinguished career. She passionately believes in the capabilities of the small press sector to give a voice to new writers and storytellers.

A gift that was nurtured at Preshil has taken Lisa Gorton on a spectacular path.
Studies in literature led her to a Rhodes Scholarship at Oxford University where she completed a Doctorate in Literature. Her first poetry collection won the Victorian Premier's Prize for Poetry. She is also the author of Cloudland and published in three countries.

Kaya is known for her roles in The Saddle Club and Neighbours.

Anita Klein studied at Chelsea and the Slade schools of art in England. She is a fellow and past president of the Royal Society of Painter Printmakers (RE) and her work is in many private and public collections in Europe, the USA and Australia, including Arts Council England and the British Museum. She divides her time between studios in London and Anghiari, Italy.

In her own words:
“I was at Preshil from the age of 5-11, from 1965-70. Preshil was a magical place for me. I have so many happy memories of making tree-huts, singing in the hall, choosing books in the library, playing with friends in the “new rooms” (these were built in 1969 I think) and even watching the first moon landing on a black and white tv with the whole school crowded into a room in Mug’s house! But there are 2 abiding memories that were so important to me that I have managed to re-create them in my working life; Listening to Mug read a story every afternoon, we were allowed to continue with craft activities while we listened. In the final year we were each allowed to weave the seat of a small stool (I still have mine!) during this time, but I also remember knitting and paper folding on the purple carpet. Giving busy fingers something to do was such a typically Preshil thing, allowing us to listen better without fidgeting and giving us the freedom to choose even within that activity. Now, in my everyday work, I paint while listening to podcasts and stories. Giving my thinking brain something to listen to and freeing myself to paint without thinking too much. This is my favourite way to spend the day and I owe it to Preshil. The other really important Preshil memory for me is finger-painting. Colours on a shiny white table to play with, and putting a painty hand up when a picture was ready to print. And here I am, over half a century later, painting with my fingers on a plastic sheet and printing monotypes onto paper. I also make linocuts, woodcuts and etchings, and the first “reveal”, when pulling back the paper on a new print, takes me straight back to the smell of peppercorn trees and the sunshine of Preshil.”