Events
2021 Founder's Day Luncheon
We were sorry when we couldn't host a luncheon in 2020, however this year's event was a chance to celebrate Victoria’s 63rd Founder’s Day luncheon on Friday, May 7, 2021, at the William Angliss School of Catering.
A Covid-Safe luncheon was attended by 75 members who enjoyed being free from our state-wide lockdown for the past year. The atmosphere was happy and up-beat with everyone renewing friendships and delighted to be meeting face to face rather than on ZOOM.
We were sorry when we couldn't host a luncheon in 2020, however this year's event was a chance to celebrate Victoria’s 63rd Founder’s Day luncheon on Friday, May 7, 2021, at the William Angliss School of Catering.
A Covid-Safe luncheon was attended by 75 members who enjoyed being free from our state-wide lockdown for the past year. The atmosphere was happy and up-beat with everyone renewing friendships and delighted to be meeting face to face rather than on ZOOM.
This year was also the 90th Anniversary of
Beta Sigma Phi internationally.
Victoria Council President, Julie Lehmann started the official proceedings off by welcoming everyone and reading the Founder’s Day Pledge. The Greeting from the National Council of Women Victoria was given by Beta member, Ronniet Milliken who is now President of this organisation. Council Vice President, Tina Oataway proposed the toast to 90 years of Beta Sigma Phi.
Following the main course, Beta Sister,
Mary Jean Hansen, was introduced as the
guest speaker.
Mary Jean has been a Beta member for 58
years. She joined in 1963 in South Dakota
as a Nu Phi Mu member when she was still
at University. She married an Australian
foreign student and in 1971 the couple moved to Australia. A fledgling Tau chapter invited Mary Jean to transfer to their chapter when she moved to Melbourne and she has been a member of this chapter through all of its progressions with the final one being Torchbearer Alpha.
Mary Jean Hansen, was introduced as the
guest speaker.
Mary Jean has been a Beta member for 58
years. She joined in 1963 in South Dakota
as a Nu Phi Mu member when she was still
at University. She married an Australian
foreign student and in 1971 the couple moved to Australia. A fledgling Tau chapter invited Mary Jean to transfer to their chapter when she moved to Melbourne and she has been a member of this chapter through all of its progressions with the final one being Torchbearer Alpha.
Mary Jean was asked to compile the history of Beta Sigma Phi in Victoria and after several months of research she had put together a comprehensive dialogue complete with photos. The story turned into the speech that Mary Jean presented at the luncheon with the added bonus of a printed book for every Victorian member. The books were distributed at the conclusion of the event and hopefully will bring back many happy memories.
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The Victorian Girl of the Year for 2021 was announced by President Julie, and a VERY SURPRISED Mary Jean Hansen was honoured to accept this award. Carol Heenan, Girl of the Year for 2020 was also acknowledged. Carol received her award via ZOOM at the AGM last November. |
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Heather Heil was honoured with her Diamond Circle Ritual in acknowledgement of her 60 years of membership.
Jill Stephens was honoured with her Golden Circle Ritual for her 50 years of membership.
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Renate Boutlis was unable to attend the Founder's Day Lunch to receive her Golden Circle Ritual so Julie & Dot performed her Ritual at her chapter's meeting.
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Congratulations to Heather, Jill and Renate.
We have lots of photos showing our happy Sisters:
We have lots of photos showing our happy Sisters:
Thanks to Julie Lehmann and her Executive – Tina Oataway, Dot Marshall, Wendy Basham, Jan Perry and Janet Park – for organising such a lovely day for us.
Thanks once again to the wonderful William Angliss chef, staff and the waiters for an excellent day.
My personal thanks to Eleanor Holden and Rae Alexander for supplying the photos of the day. (I thought I might be too nervous to take photos this year and I was right!)
My personal thanks to Eleanor Holden and Rae Alexander for supplying the photos of the day. (I thought I might be too nervous to take photos this year and I was right!)
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Mary Jean Hansen, Webmaster
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Victorian Council
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Mary Jean joined Beta Sigma Phi in July 1963 in South Dakota, USA as a Nu Phi Mu (which is the first degree for those between 18 & 22 years old). Mary Jean’s chapter was Phi Lambda. In 1964, while still attending University, she was President of this young chapter as well as being the Registration Chair for the Sioux Falls Convention. Her chapter honoured her by making her their Girl of the Year. In 1965 Mary Jean attended the Convention held in Rapid City, South Dakota and in 1966 her chapter progressed to the Ritual of Jewels degree and became Alpha Omega. She was President again in 1967 as well as City Council Rep and her chapter’s Girl of the Year. In 1968 Mary Jean was City Council Vice President and members of her chapter were the Hospitality girls at the State Convention in Sioux Falls. In 1969 Mary Jean was Chair of the Social Committee, Decorations Chair for the Founder’s Day Banquet, Chapter Girl of the Year and achieved a 5 year Perfect Attendance award. In 1970 she was Extension Officer and attended the Founder’s Day celebrations in Sioux Falls.
Mary Jean and her husband moved to Australia in November 1971 and she took a Leave of Absence until she could find a chapter in her new home country. There were no chapters in Brisbane, however when they moved to Melbourne in mid 1972, Mary Jean was invited by Elisabeth Golding, a member of the newly formed Tau chapter in Black Rock, to join their chapter.
Over the past 49 years of being an Aussie Beta, Mary Jean has progressed along with that chapter to Xi Omicron, Preceptor Mu, Laureate Iota, Kappa Master and just last year to Torchbearer Alpha.
In her chapter Mary Jean has held every office and served on every committee several times, always with distinction. She has been an absolute pillar of her chapter for all these years. Every year she assembles and prints the Chapter’s Year Books, complete with photos of the members. She has been the chapter’s historian and record keeper throughout the years which has enabled the chapter to reminisce about their history. Mary Jean compiles a booklet for every member when they reach their 40th anniversary of membership. This booklet includes a precise of their activities within the Chapter and at Council level and includes many photos.
In 1979 Mary Jean received her Order of the Rose. She became a Life Member in 1989, received her Silver Circle in 1991, was made E.S. Council Girl of the Year in 2000 and in 2013 received her Golden Circle as well as qualifying for her Torchbearer Degree.
Mary Jean has simultaneously worked tirelessly for the Victorian Council, with her first time as a Council rep in Australia being in her first year in Melbourne in 1972.
Some of her notable Victorian Council contributions include:
Recently Mary Jean was asked to compile the history of Beta Sigma Phi in Victoria and after several months of research she put together a comprehensive dialogue complete with photos. It was a labour of love for several months. The story turned into the speech that Mary Jean presented at the 2021 Founder’s Day Luncheon with the added bonus of a printed book for every Victorian member. The books were distributed at the conclusion of the event and hopefully will bring back many happy memories.
In her “spare” time Mary Jean worked for an international manufacturing company. Her career spanned 33 years and covered a wide variety including nine different jobs in six different divisions, 16 different direct reports and eight different Managing Directors. She was instrumental in getting many tasks computerised and was a pioneer of presentation slide creation using an early version of chart software and a plotter. With jobs such as assisting new employees “with potential” to controlling the capital expenditure for the company to the Safety managerial duties, Mary Jean ensured that New York office knew Melbourne was working well.
When she was promoted to Insurance Manager her jobs started to take on the characteristics of a snowball. Risk management, Business Continuity, Records Management & Archives, and Compliance. Mary Jean received the President’s Award for implementing self-insurance in Victoria. She provided Records Management training to all employees in Melbourne and all of the interstate offices. Her dedication paid off when the New York legal team conducted a discovery project. They were very complementary about how organised the document discovery was facilitated. Mary Jean also travelled internationally representing Australia and conducted business continuity simulations with the Board in Australia as well as overseas.
Mary Jean represented her organisation in the Australian Risk & Insurance Managers Association (ARIMA). She served on the Victorian Chapter Committee as Activities Officer, National Liaison and Publicity. She served as a National Director and was responsible for public relations through the Corporate Risk magazine as well as being Chairperson for the National ARIMA Melbourne Conference in 1998. Mary Jean was also a member of the Victoria Women in Insurance Association and was on the organising Committee for this association.
As well as being a corporate professional and a dedicated chapter member, she is the devoted and proud mother of a daughter and a son and grandmother to six beautiful children. She annually enjoys making wonderful photo books documenting the lives of each of them. She is also a dedicated genealogy student and has delighted her grandchildren with information about their “Viking” heritage.
Mary Jean’s life has been full and happy with her family, her professional career and her sorority. She truly has a “determination to give the best to her sorority” and to be our “keeper of the flame.”
Congratulations, Mary Jean on being awarded the 2021 Girl of the Year award.
Mary Jean and her husband moved to Australia in November 1971 and she took a Leave of Absence until she could find a chapter in her new home country. There were no chapters in Brisbane, however when they moved to Melbourne in mid 1972, Mary Jean was invited by Elisabeth Golding, a member of the newly formed Tau chapter in Black Rock, to join their chapter.
Over the past 49 years of being an Aussie Beta, Mary Jean has progressed along with that chapter to Xi Omicron, Preceptor Mu, Laureate Iota, Kappa Master and just last year to Torchbearer Alpha.
In her chapter Mary Jean has held every office and served on every committee several times, always with distinction. She has been an absolute pillar of her chapter for all these years. Every year she assembles and prints the Chapter’s Year Books, complete with photos of the members. She has been the chapter’s historian and record keeper throughout the years which has enabled the chapter to reminisce about their history. Mary Jean compiles a booklet for every member when they reach their 40th anniversary of membership. This booklet includes a precise of their activities within the Chapter and at Council level and includes many photos.
In 1979 Mary Jean received her Order of the Rose. She became a Life Member in 1989, received her Silver Circle in 1991, was made E.S. Council Girl of the Year in 2000 and in 2013 received her Golden Circle as well as qualifying for her Torchbearer Degree.
Mary Jean has simultaneously worked tirelessly for the Victorian Council, with her first time as a Council rep in Australia being in her first year in Melbourne in 1972.
Some of her notable Victorian Council contributions include:
- Chair of the 1977 Mini Convention
- Served on Founder’s Day Lunch Committees multiple times
- Council Representative for her chapter over many years
- Recording Secretary for Senior Council in 1983
- Treasurer for the Melbourne Convention 2000 Committee from 1995 until its very successful conclusion.
- President of E.S. Council in 2001 when it was Senior Council
- Treasurer of Council for three years
- Art & Craft Coordinator for the 2016 Melbourne Convention
- Served as the Archivist for Council for many years.
- Attended many Friendship Day events
- Attended all Conventions in Melbourne and most interstate ones as well
- Launched the Victorian Council Beta Sigma Phi website in 2010 and has maintained it ever since.
Recently Mary Jean was asked to compile the history of Beta Sigma Phi in Victoria and after several months of research she put together a comprehensive dialogue complete with photos. It was a labour of love for several months. The story turned into the speech that Mary Jean presented at the 2021 Founder’s Day Luncheon with the added bonus of a printed book for every Victorian member. The books were distributed at the conclusion of the event and hopefully will bring back many happy memories.
In her “spare” time Mary Jean worked for an international manufacturing company. Her career spanned 33 years and covered a wide variety including nine different jobs in six different divisions, 16 different direct reports and eight different Managing Directors. She was instrumental in getting many tasks computerised and was a pioneer of presentation slide creation using an early version of chart software and a plotter. With jobs such as assisting new employees “with potential” to controlling the capital expenditure for the company to the Safety managerial duties, Mary Jean ensured that New York office knew Melbourne was working well.
When she was promoted to Insurance Manager her jobs started to take on the characteristics of a snowball. Risk management, Business Continuity, Records Management & Archives, and Compliance. Mary Jean received the President’s Award for implementing self-insurance in Victoria. She provided Records Management training to all employees in Melbourne and all of the interstate offices. Her dedication paid off when the New York legal team conducted a discovery project. They were very complementary about how organised the document discovery was facilitated. Mary Jean also travelled internationally representing Australia and conducted business continuity simulations with the Board in Australia as well as overseas.
Mary Jean represented her organisation in the Australian Risk & Insurance Managers Association (ARIMA). She served on the Victorian Chapter Committee as Activities Officer, National Liaison and Publicity. She served as a National Director and was responsible for public relations through the Corporate Risk magazine as well as being Chairperson for the National ARIMA Melbourne Conference in 1998. Mary Jean was also a member of the Victoria Women in Insurance Association and was on the organising Committee for this association.
As well as being a corporate professional and a dedicated chapter member, she is the devoted and proud mother of a daughter and a son and grandmother to six beautiful children. She annually enjoys making wonderful photo books documenting the lives of each of them. She is also a dedicated genealogy student and has delighted her grandchildren with information about their “Viking” heritage.
Mary Jean’s life has been full and happy with her family, her professional career and her sorority. She truly has a “determination to give the best to her sorority” and to be our “keeper of the flame.”
Congratulations, Mary Jean on being awarded the 2021 Girl of the Year award.
CONGRATULATIONS, RONNIET
Your Beta Sigma Phi Sisters are proud of you!
Ronniet Milliken has been elected President of the National Council of Women of Victoria, NCWV, for 2021. NCWV is a non-party-political, non-sectarian, not-for-profit, umbrella organisation with broadly humanitarian and educational objectives. It seeks to raise the awareness of women as to their rights and responsibilities as citizens and encourages their participation in all aspects of community life.
Ronniet is a Graduate of Monash University with a BA LLB. She is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Ronniet Milliken has been elected President of the National Council of Women of Victoria, NCWV, for 2021. NCWV is a non-party-political, non-sectarian, not-for-profit, umbrella organisation with broadly humanitarian and educational objectives. It seeks to raise the awareness of women as to their rights and responsibilities as citizens and encourages their participation in all aspects of community life.
Ronniet is a Graduate of Monash University with a BA LLB. She is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
She has had extensive experience as Executive Manager, Company Secretary and Corporate Counsel in the private, public/government business enterprise and not-for-profit sectors across a range of industries – including utilities, logistics, manufacturing, retail services, sport and community. She has worked with boards and nominee directors as Company Secretary to boards of iconic Australian and international organisations.
Ronniet was a Board Member of Women’s Information Referral Exchange Inc (WIRE) a Not for Profit community service organisation that provides face to face, telephone and online advice to women across Victoria.
Ronniet was Vice President of the Women Lawyers’ Association of Victoria, a Councillor of the Law Institute of Victoria, and a member of the Corporate Lawyers Association of Victoria.
She has also been an active member of the international sorority, Beta Sigma Phi, for 35 years. Ronniet served as a member of the 2000 Melbourne Convention Committee and was been involved with organising Friendship Day and Founder’s Day celebrations for Victorian Council. She also provided legal expertise that guided the Council through the 2012 amalgamation of Western and Eastern Southern Councils into the Victorian Council. She sifted through the legal red tape and assisted Victorian Council with compliance to the regulations governing the acceptance of the new Model Rules for Incorporated Associations required by the government. Ronniet facilitated the postal ballot of all Victorian chapters to ensure the transition was successfully completed. Ronniet was named Beta Sigma Phi Victorian Girl of the Year in 2016.
Ronniet was a Board Member of Women’s Information Referral Exchange Inc (WIRE) a Not for Profit community service organisation that provides face to face, telephone and online advice to women across Victoria.
Ronniet was Vice President of the Women Lawyers’ Association of Victoria, a Councillor of the Law Institute of Victoria, and a member of the Corporate Lawyers Association of Victoria.
She has also been an active member of the international sorority, Beta Sigma Phi, for 35 years. Ronniet served as a member of the 2000 Melbourne Convention Committee and was been involved with organising Friendship Day and Founder’s Day celebrations for Victorian Council. She also provided legal expertise that guided the Council through the 2012 amalgamation of Western and Eastern Southern Councils into the Victorian Council. She sifted through the legal red tape and assisted Victorian Council with compliance to the regulations governing the acceptance of the new Model Rules for Incorporated Associations required by the government. Ronniet facilitated the postal ballot of all Victorian chapters to ensure the transition was successfully completed. Ronniet was named Beta Sigma Phi Victorian Girl of the Year in 2016.
Victorian Council Girl of the Year for 2020
Carol Heenan
Carol Heenan was proclaimed "Girl of the Year" for 2020 at the AGM via ZOOM in October by Council President, Julie Lehmann. Carol has been an outstanding member of Kappa Master - now Torchbearer Alpha Chapter for 21 years. She has held all chapter executive positions and has participated in the activities of the Chapter’s standing committees. She has also represented her chapter and Victoria at Beta conventions in Melbourne, Adelaide & Geelong as well as a Canadian Convention in Calgary. She regularly attends Friendship Day and Founder’s Day luncheons.
Carol has been a Chapter Representative at Eastern Southern and Victorian Councils. She served as a member of the 2008 Geelong Convention Committee for two years as the Craft Room Coordinator. She was E.S. Council Recording Secretary in 2009.
Carol became the Victorian Council Memorium Book Scribe in 2011 and has shown great care and attention to detail in the entries commemorating our past Sisters. Her dedication to this task has ensured current members are able to show their respect to past members when the Memorium Book is on display at functions. Adding photos to the pages is a bonus when our memorys need a bit of assistance with putting a face to a name. In 2014 Carol received her Order of the Rose.
Carol trained as a teacher and taught in the Catholic primary school system until her retirement. Her young students benefitted from her creative talent and caring nature.
Carol also hosted many overseas students in her home during their studies here in Australia. Many of these students still invite Carol to visit them in their home countries. She provided the same love and support to these girls as she did to her own children. Carol has demonstrated her empathy by providing temporary sanctuary to local women who have experienced domestic issues. Her spare bedroom is always available for those less fortunate.
After retiring from full-time teaching, Carol continued to use her teaching skills as an English tutor for refugees through the Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project (BASP) which is a Melbourne-based initiative of the Brigidine Sisters. Carol worked for four years with asylum seekers in the community through the teaching English program, where she provided friendship and support to three asylum seeker families along with personalised assistance in everyday English.
Carol is an excellent artist and has honed her skills at U3A Pastels classes. Many of her Secret Pals have benefitted from her talents when they have received her paintings at Christmas time. She is very active in her Church activities and often travels with her Church group overseas and within Australia. She is also a member and membership assistant of the Brighton Central Probus group.
Somehow Carol also finds time to volunteer at the St Vincent de Paul society and she feels privileged to be a small part of an organization that has changed the way of life for many needy people in Australia. This organization mirrors Carol’s empathy for others.
Carol exemplifies the Good, the True and the Beautiful of Beta Sigma Phi.
Congratulations, Carol on being awarded the 2020 Girl of the Year award.
Carol has been a Chapter Representative at Eastern Southern and Victorian Councils. She served as a member of the 2008 Geelong Convention Committee for two years as the Craft Room Coordinator. She was E.S. Council Recording Secretary in 2009.
Carol became the Victorian Council Memorium Book Scribe in 2011 and has shown great care and attention to detail in the entries commemorating our past Sisters. Her dedication to this task has ensured current members are able to show their respect to past members when the Memorium Book is on display at functions. Adding photos to the pages is a bonus when our memorys need a bit of assistance with putting a face to a name. In 2014 Carol received her Order of the Rose.
Carol trained as a teacher and taught in the Catholic primary school system until her retirement. Her young students benefitted from her creative talent and caring nature.
Carol also hosted many overseas students in her home during their studies here in Australia. Many of these students still invite Carol to visit them in their home countries. She provided the same love and support to these girls as she did to her own children. Carol has demonstrated her empathy by providing temporary sanctuary to local women who have experienced domestic issues. Her spare bedroom is always available for those less fortunate.
After retiring from full-time teaching, Carol continued to use her teaching skills as an English tutor for refugees through the Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project (BASP) which is a Melbourne-based initiative of the Brigidine Sisters. Carol worked for four years with asylum seekers in the community through the teaching English program, where she provided friendship and support to three asylum seeker families along with personalised assistance in everyday English.
Carol is an excellent artist and has honed her skills at U3A Pastels classes. Many of her Secret Pals have benefitted from her talents when they have received her paintings at Christmas time. She is very active in her Church activities and often travels with her Church group overseas and within Australia. She is also a member and membership assistant of the Brighton Central Probus group.
Somehow Carol also finds time to volunteer at the St Vincent de Paul society and she feels privileged to be a small part of an organization that has changed the way of life for many needy people in Australia. This organization mirrors Carol’s empathy for others.
Carol exemplifies the Good, the True and the Beautiful of Beta Sigma Phi.
Congratulations, Carol on being awarded the 2020 Girl of the Year award.
