Lizzy Stewart

Lizzy Stewart’s (nee Davey, ’08) advocacy for diversity and equality of women in STEM, and how her Loreto education provided her with the confidence and skills to pursue her dreams

This month, LOSA highlight’s Lizzy Stewart (nee Davey, ’08) and how her her studies and travel experiences since leaving Loreto, has enabled her to become a strident advocate for diversity and equality for women in STEM. Lizzy also reflects on how women in time to come will do much and how she is thankful to her Loreto education for the providing her with the confidence and skills to pursue her dreams.

Lizzy in her own words:

“The road from graduating at Loreto in 2008, to where I am now has been a long and unexpected excursion – yet I still take comfort in the words of Mary Ward, that: “women in time will come to do much” … and I definitely took my time!

I spent thirteen years at Loreto College Marryatville, enrolling in 1996 in the enchanting Mrs Shelly’s Reception class, and graduating in 2008 with a cohort of vibrant, resilient, intelligent women, many of whom I am privileged to call my friends to this day.

It came as quite the surprise to be asked to write a piece for the LOSA Old Scholar Stories. Whilst I look back fondly on my time at the school, I was not the most academically focused pupil. In fact, I am still on the road to completing further tertiary education and pursuing my dream career. But the one thing I am forever thankful to Loreto for was the foundation of education and confidence attained whilst I studied there. Loreto ensured I graduated knowing that anything I wanted to pursue was achievable, and over the next few years I did just that.

After enrolling in a Bachelor of Laws/International Studies and then Arts at the University of Adelaide, I realised that my interests lay elsewhere. I took the rather dramatic leap to a Bachelor of Animal Science, knowing my strengths had always been in language and arts subjects.  Upon completing this Bachelor of Science, I decided to pursue my childhood dream and enrolled in a Bachelor of Veterinary Bioscience. I am now in my penultimate year of my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, with the intention to graduate and specialise in Small Animal Medicine, Anaesthesia, or Ophthalmology (learning never stops!)

While the narrative is slowly changing, there is a myth that STEM is tedious and confined to laboratories, however this has not been the case for me so far. I have been fortunate to travel widely during my studies. In 2015 I spent time in South Africa on a Veterinary Internship along the magnificent East ‘Wild’ Coast. My most fond memory was assisting in tagging and relocating several African Buffalo during a game capture. Hanging one armed out of a helicopter with a dart gun in the other, is a “research” experience I will never forget.

During my bachelor’s degree I spent time in Indonesia with the University on a Livestock Production Tour.  The insight into our livestock production and trade relations was eye opening and has ensured I make ethical decisions in my relationship with meat products. And at the beginning of this year I was in India (pre-Covid) completing a clinical placement at an animal shelter in Gujarat. It was an experience that allowed me to consolidate and implement my medical training, for animals that would have otherwise not received any care. Whilst my time was confronting and challenging, the kindness of the people and the opportunities to learn skills (i.e. limb amputations, desexing procedures, prophylactic care) was incredible.

During my travels and time studying I have become a strident advocate for diversity and equality for women in STEM. I am delighted to be studying alongside other Loreto graduates (from both Marryatville and Kirribilli) in my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. There is an immediate sense of connection and belonging upon noticing someone wearing their Loreto graduation ring.

In my personal life my husband and I managed to pull off a COVID wedding in August this year (in between exams and second semester). Our 150-person invite list went down to 5 – but with the easing of restrictions we were able to celebrate with an intimate 13 guests at a beautiful private residence on North Terrace. Although it wasn’t the wedding we envisioned it was beyond perfect, and we now get to plan a big party in the coming year to celebrate. Of course, as an animal lover my two giant dogs were front and centre on the big day, joining us for photos (picture for reference).

Women in time will come to do much – and whilst it may take some a little more longer, Loreto provided me with the skills and confidence to recognise I could achieve anything I wanted to, allowing me to make a difference in the lives of animals and contribute to meaningful scientific research.

Lastly, and most importantly; Ooh ahh go McGrath!”