Trafalgar School for Girls

Debbie Travis, designer, author, television personality and producer addressed over 225 students, alumnae and friends of Trafalgar on Friday, October 16 at 10:00 a.m. at the school. Breaking with the tradition of a formal lecture, Debbie Travis was interviewed by CBC News Montreal co-anchor Jennifer Hall. Ms. Travis spoke openly and candidly about her career and the challenges of creating a profession and raising a family.

	L to R: Principal Geoffrey Dowd, Debbie Travis, Head Girl Jenna Omassi, CBC co-anchor Jennifer Hall
	A lively discussion on Traf's stage.

One of the school's most celebrated activities linking past and present is the Trafalgar-Ross Lecture. Donald Ross stipulated in his will that an annual lecture be given at the school "...on suitable subjects, in science, history, literature, and religion..." The Lectureship was re-established in 1981 to perpetuate the memory and intention of our founder, Donald Ross, "to bring before a large audience of students, Old Girls, parents, staff and friends of the school, a speaker of prominence and personal distinction, whose address will prove of lasting influence and inspiration for our students." Now called the Trafalgar-Ross Lecture, outstanding Canadians such as Maureen Forrester, Marc Garneau, David Suzuki and Adele Wiseman are invited each year to address the school during the month of October. Click here for the complete list of past speakers.

Debbie Travis is one of the world’s most beloved home decorating icons, turning her down-to-earth approach to decorating into a multi- faceted business empire. Debbie has produced and hosted three successful television shows: Painted House, Facelift and From the Ground Up.

Always at the leading edge of creativity, she has created and is executive producer of many of today’s reality-based shows including Buy Me, The Property Shop, Income Property, Chuck’s Day Off, Instant Beauty Pageant and many others. Another major component of the Debbie Travis brand is her design studio, DT Branding, with a paint and product line at Canadian Tire.

Travis is the prolific author of eight best-selling decorating books and writes a weekly newspaper column, syndicated internationally with 6 million devoted readers across North America. Her ninth book titled Not Guilty - My Guide to Working Hard, Raising Kids and Laughing Through the Chaos, is an hilarious and poignant account of her rise to the top while balancing a rapidly growing business with a demanding family life.

Travis’ accomplishments have been recognized with eleven Gemini nominations, four Gemini Awards, the Crystal Award for Creative Excellence, The Person of the Year Award from McGill University, and the Libris Award for Book of the Year.

In 2008 and 2009 Debbie Travis has been proud to be the national spokesperson for the CURE Foundation Breast Cancer.

Click here for a more detailed biography.

Visit her website.