Hundreds of past students of St Joseph’s School are scattered throughout Australia and around the world, working across every industry. We’re proud of our past students and their achievements – big and small. In future newsletters, we will be highlighting a past student and sharing what they have been up to since leaving the Joey's gates. 

BRIGID LYNCH 

What year did you graduate?

I was a student at St Joseph’s School from Year 1 (1981) through to Year 9 (1989).

What were your favourite subjects at St Joseph’s School?

English and History.

Can you tell us about your time at St Joseph’s School? Is there anything you especially remember?

I really liked having classes in the old convent when I was at high school. There was a cupboard under a staircase that had some great graffiti from students long past. 

Fr Lino Valente was such a warm and kind parish priest, and he was an integral part of the school community.

I also remember the tuckshop at Primary School. It had a fairly limited lunch menu;  mince rolls or hotdogs in Winter, salad rolls or ham and salad rolls in Summer. We could buy a cup of cordial (red or green) for 5 cents! 

What has been your journey since finishing school? Briefly outline your career path and what you are doing now. Have you always wanted to pursue the kind of career you have embarked on?

I had no idea what I wanted to do when I finished school. I studied Human Movement Studies when I was at university, but I didn’t want to be an exercise physiologist or PE teacher. After finishing uni I started working at Cancer Council Queensland, and that’s where I ‘discovered’ epidemiology.  Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of disease at the population level.  I really enjoyed working in epidemiology, so I completed a PhD in this research field. 

After finished my PhD I moved to Calgary, in Canada, for two years to do a postdoctoral fellowship in cancer epidemiology. I then moved to Melbourne for a second postdoctoral fellowship, before moving into my current role.

I am a Principal Fellow in the Cancer Epidemiology Division at Cancer Council Victoria, and Honorary Principal Fellow in the Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Melbourne. Most of my research is about exercise and cancer risk, biological mechanisms underlying risk, and health outcomes for cancer survivors. 

I have developed my own programme of work that will (hopefully) improve the lives of others. I also like research as I get to work with some amazing people from around the world, and I have lots of opportunities to travel to interesting places.

What do you believe St Joseph’s School has shown you/given you as a person?

The environment at St Joseph’s School was like an extended family, and students knew everyone throughout the school. My children attend a similarly small and tightknit school in Melbourne (St Dominic’s, Camberwell East) because I appreciate the benefits of this kind of setting.

What piece of advice would you have for current students at St Joseph’s School?

There is a great quote attributed to Churchill;  “You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks.” Focus on yourself and what you can achieve; don’t pay too much attention to what others are saying about you.  And don’t throw stones at any animal – it’s not nice.