Zac Soutar shares about life in the fast lane, as study finds alumni programs beneficial for all
Alumni who keep in touch with their schools can inspire other students, a study has found, as a race car driver shares his insights.
Geelong
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Staying connected to your high school after graduation can inspire the next generation, a new report has found.
A study released this week, Positive Outlooks, Stronger Community Ties, surveyed educators in Australia, Kenya, Pakistan and the United Kingdom whose schools are involved with organised alumni programs and networks.
Geelong’s Western Heights College were among those surveyed.
The study found 93 per cent of educators said alumni networks gave them access to inspirational role models for their students.
It also found the majority of educators said the network increased their capacity to enrich the curriculum and student learning (86 per cent) and gave them access to professional expertise they did not have time to access otherwise (84 per cent).
OurSchool is assisting public high schools in Victoria establish alumni programs.
The Geelong Advertiser caught up with some of the region’s recent graduates to find out what they’ve been up to.
Christian College Geelong alumni Zac Soutar is among those who have gone on to interesting careers, now professionally competing as a racing car driver.
Soutar said his experiences at school helped him shape his life.
“Attending Christian College helped me to develop the people skills required to succeed in motorsport,” he said.
“In order to survive in motorsport, it’s important that you have great networking and communication skills, and being at the college really helped me develop these skills before I headed out into the real world.
“I also made friends at Christian College that I work with in my racing team to this day, which is something that I’m very grateful for.”
Where are they now? Interesting careers of Geelong school graduates
From PhD students to business owners, doctors to race car drivers, Geelong school alumni have gone on to varied careers, each as interesting as the last.
Twenty-two former school students from Geelong and the Bellarine have revealed what they’ve been up to since leaving school.
St. Ignatius College
Dr Stephanie Cowdery, PhD, Class of 2009
Since completing her Bachelor of Health Sciences and a Diploma of Languages in Indonesian at Deakin University, Stephanie Cowdery is paving the way in skin cancer prevention research.
Passionate about giving back to her community, she volunteered at the Geelong hospital’s cancer centre, where she found an interest in oncology.
After completing her PhD and interning for a year at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, she is now working at the Cancer Council in Melbourne, researching skin cancer prevention and finding evidence to support SunSmart programs.
“It’s great to know you’re having an impact,” she said.
Georgia Cowdery, Class of 2009
Georgia Cowdery studied a Bachelor of Arts and a Diploma of Languages in Indonesian at the University of Melbourne and is now the assistant director at the National Disability Insurance Agency.
Ms Cowdery said she had the value of giving back to her community instilled in her at high school.
“They had a really strong social justice focus at St. Ignatius and it’s always been something that I really enjoyed,” she said.
Working at the NDIS, she is assisting to develop public policy for the federal government.
“I get to meet people in the community and talk to them about their problems and how we can face them,” Ms Cowdery said.
“The work we do really is making a difference.”
Western Heights College
Maddison Temelkovski, Class of 2009
Maddison Temelkovski founded her own business in 2016. The Aesthetic Skin Clinic now has a team of 12 employees and continues to grow.
“We are moving into a new space that we just renovated and launching a new skin care line in a few weeks,” Ms Temelkovski said.
The impact of Covid-19 saw Ms Temelkovski pivot her business strategy to include her own line of skincare.
“I wanted something else that could be sold online and target global clients,” she said.
Ms Temelkovski said she loves giving people the confidence to feel comfortable in their own skin and helping clients heal their skin conditions.
Belmont High
Mitchell Falzon, Class of 2013
Mitchell Falzon graduated from high school having no idea he would go down the real estate path.
He travelled the globe competing in body building and owned his own personal training business before wanting to find a different passion.
“I printed off 100 resumes and started to hand out them out to real estate agencies,” Mr Falzon said.
After taking a year off recently, he realised that it was the smaller things that made life special.
The best part of the job for Mr Falzon is knowing that he has providing his clients with the best possible experience.
“I love it when I’ve sold a home and I get a five star review on real.estate.com – that beats any paycheck.
Lucy Cooper, Class of 2020
Lucy Cooper uses the leadership skills she learnt at Belmont High every day as a manager at Kmart.
“I had a lot of leadership opportunities at school,” she said.
Ms Cooper now leads the team that manages the kids department at the Waurn Ponds store.
As a VCAL student in high school, Ms Cooper completed placement each week at TLC aged care facility which earnt her Trainee of the Year 2019 through Gforce.
Matthew Flinders Girls Secondary College
Jessie Christiaans, Class of 2014
Ms Christiaans has a strong passion for sport and injury management.
In 2020, she co-established an occupational therapy business, My Health Space, which serves the Greater Geelong region.
Ms Christiaans loved the more holistic approach to health that occupational therapy offered and has worked in a range of clinical settings as an OT.
She has a Bachelor of Applied Science and Master of Occupational Therapy from LaTrobe University under her belt.
“I always had a keen interest in people and helping people achieve their own goals,” Ms Christiaans said.
Ashley Hall, Class of 2016
Ashley Hall is the head of the wellbeing team at Northern Bay College. She completed Certificate IV in Community Services during her time at Matthew Flinders and went on to study her Diploma at the Gordon.
She is now studying a Bachelor of Social Work at Deakin University.
Ms Hall knew she wanted to go down the social work path from a young age.
“My dream job was to be a school wellbeing officer because I relied heavily on the wellbeing support at school,” Ms Hall.
Ms Hall comes back regularly to Matthew Flinders to talk to students through their alumni program.
“I put emphasis on the girls that they can do whatever they want, just because they are female or young isn’t a barrier that can stop them.”
Covenant College
Nathanael Stubbings, Class of 2011
It has been full circle for Nathanael Stubbings who was a student at Covenant College and now teaches legal studies at the Bell Post Hill school.
He previously worked in finance for nine years and owned a para-planning business for three years.
The impact that his teachers had on him during high school made him consider going down the teaching pathway.
“I just wanted something where I would have a direct impact on the younger generation,” Mr Stubbings said.
“Coming back to Covenant as a teacher, I have an even bigger appreciation for the staff and how they care for the students.”
Lara Secondary College
Isaiah Graham, Class of 2014
After graduating in 2014, Isaiah Graham studied a double degree in teaching and science and received his first teaching role in 2020.
From a young age, Mr Graham knew that he wanted to be a teacher purely from the impact that his own teachers had on him.
“It was the teachers that I had … they were fantastic,” he said.
Mr Graham now teaches maths and science at his old stomping ground, Lara Secondary College.
Newcomb Secondary College
Dr. Carly Gordyn PhD, Class of 2006
Carly Gordyn studied a Bachelor of Arts majoring in International Relations and Indonesian language at Deakin University.
She found her passion for Indonesian during her time at school, where she was encouraged to continue learning the language by her former teacher, Bu Ellis.
“I can’t imagine what my life would look like without the language,” Dr Gordyn said.
She taught English in Indonesia and worked in the detention centres on both Christmas Island and Nauru Island.
Dr Gordyn completed her PhD at Australian National University, furthering her research into Australian and Indonesian management of irregular migration.
She is currently working on publishing her prize-winning thesis as a book.
Bellarine Secondary College
Jayne Fendyk, Class of 2014
Jayne Fendyk studied a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Melbourne, majoring in Politics and International Relations as well as completing her Diploma of Languages in Indonesian.
“I went down the arts pathway and explored a range of different types of subjects,” Ms. Fendyk said.
She also completed a semester abroad at the University of Bristol in the UK in 2018.
Having a fierce passion for the education system, Ms. Fendyk had various roles at the Australian Government Department of Education and is now a senior policy officer at the department.
This year, she has jumped back into her passion for Indonesian studies after receiving a scholarship from the Westpac Trust to complete her Masters of Asian and Pacific Studies at the Australian National University.
St Joseph’s College Geelong
Shannan Gove, class of 2007
Shannon Gove has used the confidence he gained from St Joseph’s in the business world.
Mr Gove has created two successful platforms; Event Workforce, which connects students to work in the sports and events industry while they study, and Rosterfy, a technology solutions company that connects organisation communities.
“Out of (Event Workforce), we realised we needed a tech solution to manage the workforce and give students a better experience on our website,” he said.
“We realised the impact this tech could have on organisations around the world, needing to connect to their communities better.
“Now, we work with some of the world’s largest organisations like the FIFA World Cup and the British Heart Foundation.”
Mr Gove said “having a crack” at finding solutions to problems was his key to success.
Ignatius Rudd, class of 2013
Since graduating from St Joseph’s as Dux, Ignatius Rudd has followed his interests into the field of medicine.
Straight out of high school, Dr Rudd landed a spot in his undergraduate degree, which he completed over six years.
He then travelled to the Solomon Islands on a placement, and he said that solidified his interest in his chosen specialty – obstetrics.
“In a general sense, I was always interested in maths and science at school,” he said.
“I always wanted to do something in that.
“Obstetrics, it’s the biology – I find it really interesting, from conception to birth.
“It’s a really exciting time.
“Lots of other areas of medicine can be quite draining, but obstetrics is quite fun.”
Dr Rudd said he enjoyed being able to help women through the process of pregnancy and giving birth.
He is currently an obstetrics resident at Mercy Hospital for Women in Melbourne.
Kardinia International College
Will Birkett, class of 2011
College captain in his final year, Will Birkett has also chosen to enter the medical field.
Currently and anaesthetic registrar at Monash Health, Dr Birkett has been working as a doctor for the last six years.
He said his chosen speciality allows for a lot of excitement on any given day.
“Anaesthetics gives me the opportunity to interact with patients, put them at ease before an operation, and see them through the other side of it,” Dr Birkett said.
“I think the things that excite me, is the diversity.
“You never quite know what’s coming through the door at the hospital.
“I also like that in my job, I work with every speciality.”
Dr Birkett said his interest in science, as well as more social activities including debating and his time as school captain, helped him reach his career goals.
Jack Norris, class of 2013
Jack Norris has gone on to a career as an archaeologist, anthropologist and historian since leaving high school.
Projects he has worked on include the Melbourne metro tunnel, and the Bendigo GovHub.
Mr Norris has also worked in curating in the museum sector, and is currently at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom
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“I’ve always been passionate about history, archaeology, and art, and so I decided to carve myself a career within that, following my interests because you live only once,” he said.
“n my career I can shed new light on Australia’s history.
“The work I’m currently doing I’m finding very exciting, which involves tracking down Australian objects and collections in museums in the UK and Europe, where I am attempting to reconnect them with their story and their communities of origin.”
He said his “inquisitive mind” was encouraged by many teachers at the College.
Northern Bay College
Steph Whale, class of 2011
Since graduating in 2011, Steph Whale has gone on to travel overseas before landing a job at V/Line.
Ms Whale said a customer suggested her career path when she worked in hospitality.
“A customer actually suggested I work for V/Line because of how great the company was to work for,” she said.
“Once I was lucky enough to get a position as a Station Assistant opening the new Wyndham Vale station I had my sights set on climbing the career ladder within V/Line and constantly challenging myself within the business.
“My day is never the same as the day before.
“My role requires dynamic problem solving with ever changing tasks and goals which keeps me mentally stimulated and thinking outside of the box.”
Ms Whale now works as a train controller for V/Line, and said she enjoyed the challenges of her job, and getting passengers safely from point A to B.
Ramatullah Husseini
After leaving school, Ramatullah Husseini – a refugee – studied at The Gordon and completed an advanced diploma in Computer System Engineering.
He has also worked as a Multiculture Education Aide (MEA) to support Multiculture Youth students, and is now an IT Specialist Technician in Bellaire Primary School and Northern Bay College P-12.
Mr Husseini said he has always loved to try new things, which has extended to his professional life.
“When I come to Australia and did IT in high school, I really enjoyed it,” he said.
“So I thought to myself an IT career would be the best career to choose as I was interested in technologies.
“IT was one of my dream careers as I would have the opportunities to put my hand on new technologies and work with them.”
Christian College Geelong
Zac Soutar
Zac Soutar has gone on to a career in the motorsports industry, as a racing car driver and performance driving coach.
His first taste of success was finishing in second place in the Australian Formula Ford Championship.
Mr Soutar and his dad run a car and compete as a privateer team, Team Soutar Motorsport.
“Aside from the obvious of going fast and getting to push cars to their limits around a racetrack, I love being able to help other people improve their own driving around a circuit,” he said.
“There’s no better feeling than when it all “clicks” for a client out on track based on the coaching you’ve helped them with.
“When I’m racing, I also find working with my team to make the car as fast as possible really exciting. Racing door to door with other cars is pretty cool too.
“I’m also constantly travelling for my work, which is something that I really enjoy.”
Clonard College
Rachel Van Zetten, class of 2012
Rachel Van Zetten went on to completed a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at Monash University after finishing VCE.
Throughout her five year degree, she did placements across rural and regional Victoria, including in Traralgon, Swan Hill and Bendigo.
She said she had a unique spark to her interest in medicine.
“In my early teens I remember watching hospital-based TV shows and realised I found it really interesting and I had a strong stomach!” she said.
“Medicine combines my interest in human development and science and is a very people-centred career, which I love.
“Being a doctor and specifically a GP means you hold a very privileged insight into a patients health and life.
“I enjoy the continuity of care and building rapport and relationships with patients across the lifespan.”
Ms Van Zetten is now training to be a general practitioner in Western Australia.
Madison Williams, class of 2011
Madison Williams has taken a winding road to where she is now, running her own business, MEW Clothing.
The 2011 graduate completed a degree in journalism, then another in science, before backpacking overseas before the Covid-19 pandemic hit.
“I took the time in lockdown to find what really made me happy and found it was my creativity,” Ms Williams said.
“Now I run my own business designing tracksuits and selling jackets I upcycle from sleeping bags.”
She said her career chose her, in a way.
“I spent most of my twenties desperately seeking my purpose, but it wasn’t until I looked inwards that I realised my purpose is the journey of uncovering who I am,” she said.
“Now I walk this path, and my career is just a consequence of this – something I put out along the way.”
The Geelong College
Audrey Moore
Audrey Moore has travelled the world in pursuit of her career goals, spending time in Austria, France, and the Netherlands.
She is working at De Bondt B.V., Europe’s largest combined wholesaler and manufacturer of yarn and haberdashery, as a copywriter and editor in the new publishing team within research and development.
“I have always followed my passions and interests, and haven’t necessarily been career driven,” she said.
“I studied music because I loved learning bassoon at high school.
“I then chose to pursue a degree in linguistics because I’d also really loved learning French in high school.
“When I went on to study music, I knew it wouldn’t be the only thing I’d go on to learn after high school.
“Now being part of a publishing team working on crochet, knitting and craft patterns and publications, I see how following my passions rather than a specific career path has led me into a really unique and unexpected job that combines all the things I’m interested in, and includes room to learn and grow!”
Geelong Lutheran College
Annalyse Palladini
After leaving school and partially completing a Bachelor of Health and Physical Education at Deakin University, Annalyse Palladini realised it wasn’t the right fit.
She then pursued PwC Australia’s 2020 Higher Apprenticeship Program, allowing her to work full time in the professional services industry while completing a Certificate IV and a Diploma of Information Technology.
“I have the opportunity to connect with talented colleagues from Australia and around the world and hear about their innovative ideas and initiatives,” she said.
“There’s always something new to learn!
“My one piece of advice to others would be to approach new opportunities with a growth mindset and a positive outlook.
“Stepping out of my comfort zone and challenging myself has led to so many valuable learnings and experiences that I had never considered.”
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