A Path to Passion and Storytelling: Amanda Barwick (Fairholme Old Girl 1993)

‘The importance of women supporting each other cannot be overstated. When women come together to support and empower one another, we create a ripple effect of strength and inspiration that extends far beyond the workplace. It’s about lifting each other up, sharing knowledge, and fostering a culture where everyone can thrive.’ Dietitician and Fairholme Old Girl, Rhiannon Stone (2013), walks the talk, exemplifying the power of women supporting women. This year, Rhiannon returned Holme to mentor Senior girls who were about to walk down Palm Drive for the last time, offering guidance, encouragement and wisdom as they approached a pivotal moment in their lives. It was a testament to her commitment to fostering a community where young women feel empowered, supported and ready to step confidently into the next chapter of their journey. ‘I was once told that “Mentors aren’t there to make us better—they’re there to help us uncover the greatness that’s already within us”.’ Rhiannon said the true value of mentorship lies in the knowledge of those who have walked the path before us. ‘They’ve encountered the speedbumps along the way, and while their insights can’t eliminate every challenge, they offer us the tools to navigate them with greater confidence and purpose. Mistakes, after all, are invaluable lessons. Reflecting on those experiences and using mentorship to forge your unique path is what shapes your identity and empowers you to thrive in any field. By embracing mentorship, Fairholme students can gain not just knowledge, but the courage to write their own extraordinary story.’ She says what truly sets Fairholme apart is its remarkable ability to foster lifelong connections and a true sense of belonging. ‘Even though it’s been 11 years since I graduated, the relationships I built there feel as fresh and meaningful as if I had left yesterday.’ Fairholme, in tandem with the Old Girls’ Association, is deeply committed to mentoring current students, inviting past students to return and share their experiences, insights, and wisdom with the Senior girls as they prepare to step into the next phase of their lives. Rhiannon was one of a number of Old Girls who returned to school this year to take part in a mentoring luncheon. ‘Walking back into the school and being greeted by familiar teachers or chatting with students who share nearly identical experiences to my own creates an unbreakable bond,’ Rhiannon said. ‘The shared traditions, the mutual support, and the understanding that we’re all part of something greater make it truly unique. There’s a profound sense of connection that Fairholme instills in every student, one that continues to inspire and uplift long after graduation.’ Rhiannon, who has built a thriving dietetics business in Toowoomba, Balance Nutrition, said her pathway since school was shaped by many small yet meaningful experiences. ‘It all started with my love for sport, which was a big reason I came to Fairholme in the first place. I knew I wanted a career in health and fitness, but a Year 10 work experience placement quickly taught me that anything involving bodily fluids wasn’t for me—I fainted at the sight of blood! ‘That’s how I landed on dietetics, a health-focused path that aligned perfectly with my passions.’ Concurrently, Rhiannon saw how nutrition directly impacted her performance in sport, which in turn fueled her desire to learn more. ‘Reflecting on it now, I think another key driver was my personal experience as a teenager trying to navigate the often confusing and conflicting messages about food. Like many young women, I was bombarded with advice from magazines and social media about what to eat and what to avoid. This curiosity—combined with a desire to cut through the noise and help others, particularly young women—became the foundation of my career in dietetics.’ When Rhiannon returned to the Homestead for her mentoring session with current girls, she was suffused with a deep sense of pride and fulfillment, knowing that her journey had come full circle and that she could now offer the guidance and support she had once received. ‘While I often work with Fairholme students to help them understand nutrition and fuel their bodies for success in school, sport, and life in a more clinical setting, returning to the college to offer mentorship was different,’ Rhiannon explained. ‘It was an opportunity to share my journey, the influences that shaped my career, and the parts of my job I truly love. What made it even more meaningful was the chance to remind the girls of something I’ve learned since leaving school: what you aspire to now doesn’t define you forever. ‘The pathways we traditionally think of after school don’t have to be the ones you follow. Life is incredibly short, and the best choices are the ones that truly fill your cup—not the ones you feel you ‘should’ make. For example, I took a gap year at 23. Was that traditional? No. Was it one of the best decisions I’ve ever made? Absolutely. Life is full of career opportunities, and the key is to pursue the one that brings you joy.’ But what if that changed down the track? ‘That’s okay, too!’ Rhiannon said. ‘Mentoring the girls reminded me of how important it is to guide and inspire the next generation, showing them that the possibilities are endless and that their journey is uniquely their own. Giving back to Fairholme in this way was an incredibly rewarding experience.’ Rhiannon’s connection to Fairholme extends well past mentoring. Some of her best friends today are from her school days. ‘I absolutely keep in contact with friends from school, and those connections are truly special,’ she explained. ‘We share in the big milestones—weddings, babies, career achievements—but it’s the smaller moments, too, that really matter. The everyday challenges where you just need a friend to talk things through.’ Boarding, in particular, gave Rhiannon friendships that she says are unlike any other. ‘It’s a unique bond built on shared experiences and long-lasting memories, and it’s something I’ll always cherish. ‘These friendships are more than just school ties—they’re forever connections, and I’m eternally thankful for the opportunity to have formed them.’ ___________ Rhiannon is an Accredited Practising Dietitian with Balance Nutrition, with over six years of private practice experience. Upon finishing Boarding school at Fairholme and relocating from Roma, she completed a Bachelor of Nutrition & Dietetics at Griffith University in 2017. After living and working in London, Rhiannon returned home in 2020 to work with Balance Nutrition, where she continues to develop her clinical practice alongside her personal values of compassion, curiosity and mindfulness. In 2021, Rhiannon completed further training to become an Accredited Sports Dietitian and has since become a qualified eating disorder clinician through ANZAED. Rhiannon loves connecting with women who are going through times of change in their lives, such as during adolescence and as young adults. A believer in taking a practical, no-nonsense approach in guiding clients towards better health, Rhiannon is skilled at building relationships with those who may be overwhelmed and seeking to simplify their approach to nutrition.