Deb Dalwood Leading Educator and Forward Thinker

Deb Dalwood
Leading Educator and Forward Thinker 

Every thought is a seed – Bill Meyer.

Deb Dalwood plants seeds of thought within the entire community at Pulteney Grammar School, where she’s Deputy Principal – Advancement. From the students who are captivated by her every word, to the parents who feel connected and included in their child’s education, and the leadership team who are part of something far bigger than just a job. Deb is a progressive leader, educator and great listener… and has the kindest of hearts.

Deb and Melinda’s relationship is twofold – she has been Principal throughout Oranje’s work with St Andrew’s School AND throughout all of Melinda’s son Willem’s primary years at the School. They connected over their passion for education, both within themselves and their communities. Being able to see both sides of this kind, forward-thinking woman certainly made her one of the Women Who Inspire Oranje.

In an industry that could perhaps be characterised as averse to change, Deb is more than happy to charge toward it, provided it’s the right choice. She was open to and an advocate for the reinvigoration of the St Andrew’s School brand, when Oranje presented the “Where bright futures begin” campaign, in 2015.

The campaign is still going strong to this day. This is due, in part, to the fact that Deb worked with her team and developed the expectation among the entire School cohort that they ‘live’ the values of the School marketing and brand, with consistent messaging and communication.

Deb is a facilitator of relationships and has ensured past students still feel connected to their education. She revitalised the St Andrew’s Old Scholars Association to now have a committee, an annual Founder’s Day celebration and an Alumni Reunion Program. This sense of belonging has encouraged a strong ethic of philanthropy for the School which Melinda and our team have worked together with Deb to successfully promote and develop.

“Relationships are key to the educational process and a sense of belonging,” says Deb. And she lives by this every day. She calls every child by name.

We’re so thankful for our relationship with Deb and how this supports an inspiring community.

Apples have been connected with education for centuries, and Deb is certainly a good apple.

Rose Lacoon Williamson Executive Director, Non-Binary Entrepreneur and Innovator 

Rose Lacoon Williamson
Executive Director, Non-binary entrepreneur and Innovator 

When your purpose is on track, you’re always moving toward your mission. That’s the case with Rose Lacoon Williamson. Melinda met her over 10 years ago when Rose was managing hospitality in the East End before a massive career shift led her to her current role.

Rose is a charismatic people person. She was always en route to do great things by helping others. It was inspiring yet unsurprising when Rose began working with unique students as Executive Director of Youth Inc. Learning Exchange. Youth Inc. is an independent senior secondary school in the Adelaide CBD. Its focus is creating safe and supportive learning environments for disengaged and diverse young people, who may feel left behind by traditional systems.

Rose holds a Bachelor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Ever purpose-driven, she has led programs to develop the SA Purpose Economy and Social Sector and also serves as a volunteer on the Social Impact Investment Network SA Board. Rose is also Founder and Director of Topsoil Garden Project, a horticultural therapy garden and health offering in the Adelaide Hills, tackling the social isolation of people with psychosocial disability.

Rose approached us in early 2021 to develop the Youth Inc. and Youth Inc. Exchange websites. To bring-in our “Oranje-power” as Rose calls it. We ended up creating one of our favourite pieces of work and refreshing Youth Inc.’s brand.

Now Rose is undertaking more projects aiming to develop new, innovative learning pathways for marginalised youth. These include: Tauondi Aboriginal College – seeking to establish an innovative Aboriginal school design for young people looking for a new way to learn; and now, New Urban Green School at the former Le Cornu site – a future-focused school campus that has regenerative education at its core. The green school will bring students to the Forestville site as active citizens engaged in hands-on, real-world education and employment as they chart a life that is meaningful to them.

And Oranje is thrilled to be on the journey. As a Youth Inc. supporter, we’re creating collateral for many of these projects, at our giving-back fee. We believe part of our purpose is to support women in creative industries, leading to better outcomes for all.

On working together, Rose said, “That is the nature of women and non-binary entrepreneurs, we are highly networked and ultimately opt to provide opportunities for each other.” We couldn’t agree more and are excited for what the future holds alongside Rose.

Rebecca Starling Education Leader shining the light on everyone she meets

Rebecca Starling
Education Leader shining the light on everyone she meets

Sometimes in life, there’s an inexplicable light in someone that draws you to them. This is partially what happened when Melinda crossed paths with Rebecca Starling. Rebecca marries 24 years of teaching experience with her work as a family therapist and systemic practitioner to help schools and families think differently about the complex challenges they face.

It’s through her son’s schooling that Melinda was fortunate to meet Rebecca and see this light in her. What closely followed was a realisation that many of both Melinda’s and Rebecca’s past experiences and passions had been mirrored. Both had studied arts and music degrees, classical voice and performance. Both had worked with, or studied drama and acting with, the formidable Ann Peters at SA Casting. Both also share a fierce drive to show the positive affects of what happens when creativity meets education, to advocate a light to help learners and clients reimagine ways of thinking.

Amongst her many achievements and efforts toward supporting a better education system, Rebecca joined Bower Place as the Practitioner Lead for Bower Schools in 2022. The Bower method is a multidisciplinary approach, blending systems thinking from psychology, counselling, family therapy and conflict resolution with practical classroom strategies to address the central problem of inequality – the greatest constraint to change.

Melinda has been inspired by Rebecca’s empathy and warmth since the day they met – but her recent work with Bower Schools as a leader, a practitioner in Complex Needs Clinics, research and curriculum design – has left all of us at

Oranje Creative in awe. Oranje is now coming on board to further develop the Bower Schools brand and to promote it’s unique and innovative teaching methodologies. We can’t wait.

You are a light to so many people Rebecca, and we’re thankful you choose to shine it on everyone you meet.

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