Meet the OCC Executive

Describe your life in three sentences: one for family, one for career, one for fun! 

I have a small family, with my husband and a 10-year-old son. I cherish the moments spent with my family, who are my anchor and source of joy. I work in marketing and have always loved being able to be as creative as I want to be. I love exploring new places, trying adventurous activities, and spending quality time with friends. 

How does life look different from what you thought it would be when you were in Year 12? 

With grand hopes and dreams, I once envisioned leading a glamorous life, travelling the world and living in exotic places. Yet, I find myself still residing in the same suburb where I grew up. Despite this, I am incredibly happy and fulfilled with my family and life. 

What are some of your favourite memories of your time as a student at MLC? 

So many fond memories of school! The smallest memories are the best, like playing Four Square in the Junior School playground or playing in the tram. Marshmead was truly an unforgettable experience: living in a house with close friends made for countless nights of sneaking into one bedroom for epic sleepovers together. 

What advice would you tell your 17-year-old self? 

Listen to your intuition and trust your instincts. Create goals and strive towards them, however savour the journey, the experiences, and the people you meet along the way. 

Don’t be too hard on yourself; mistakes are part of learning and things will always work out, maybe just not the way you intended.  

What is your current favourite book or podcast you’d recommend? 

Celebrity Memoir Book Club is a fun podcast. The girls read celebrity memoirs so you don’t have to. I love their fun discussions of the books. They remind me of my friends when we get together and discuss topics. 

The You’re Wrong About podcast is great. You learn about a topic or phenomenon that’s been miscast in the public imagination. I find it so interesting how over time we can view an event in a totally different light.  

Describe your life in three sentences: one for family, one for career, one for fun! 

My close-knit family includes my supportive parents, my brother, and our beloved 12-year-old miniature schnauzer, Bronte. She’s not as playful as she used to be but brings us joy and laughter with her sweet and loving nature, especially her passion for food. 

As a senior product designer at Bendigo Bank, I’m passionate about driving impactful change in accessibility and inclusion across the business. Additionally, I enjoy applying these principles across our design practice, aiming to create more inclusive and user-friendly solutions. 

For fun, I’m a bit of a gym junkie, regularly attending BFT trainings on Saturday mornings. I love weightlifting and staying active, which helps balance out my time spent in front of the computer. Despite the occasional soreness, the benefits of staying active are well worth it. 

How does life look different from what you thought it would be when you were in Year 12? 

Life has turned out more dynamic and unpredictable than I envisioned in Year 12. Despite all the challenges I’ve faced (which I didn’t anticipate being this many) it’s been a journey that’s shaped me into a more adaptable and resilient person. 

What are some of your favourite memories of your time as a student at MLC? 

I have many cherished memories from my time at MLC. I particularly enjoyed art classes, where I found creative inspiration. It was special walking through the older buildings, knowing my Mum had once sat in those same classrooms and walked the same grounds during her time at school. I also loved being actively involved in sports, especially playing hockey and being part of the rowing team. Additionally, serving as a Prefect was a rewarding experience that allowed me to contribute to the school. 

What advice would you tell your 17-year-old self? 

I would advise my 17-year-old self to embrace curiosity and trust the process of personal growth. Don’t be afraid to take risks and follow your instincts, even when it feels daunting. Every experience, whether success or mistake, will shape your journey and provide valuable learnings that influence the next stages of your life. 

What is your current favourite book or podcast you’d recommend? 

I don’t always read books or listen to podcasts, but I stay inspired and informed through design articles, YouTube videos, and conferences whenever possible. 

Describe your life in three sentences: one for family, one for career, one for fun! 

I have a wonderful extended family including nieces and a daughter currently at MLC. I am a physiotherapist and have worked in public, private and university sectors – it has been a great career! I love baking with my daughter, and a walk/coffee with friends.  

How does life look different from what you thought it would be when you were in Year 12? 

I wanted to pursue a career in the sciences but had no idea what I wanted to do. I didn’t even know what a physiotherapist was! Luckily I discovered the course and profession when I was at uni and transferred over. 

What are some of your favourite memories of your time as a student at MLC? 

My favourite memories are: Krome House Music, Athletics and Drama. School Athletics. Concert choir and Son et Lumiere. The friends I made, many of whom I still see a lot. The teachers who inspired me: Ms Michelle (Maths) and Mr Comerford (History). 

What advice would you tell your 17-year-old self? 

You will never really know what you want to do ‘when you grow up’ – just keep doing things you enjoy with people you like. Say yes to every opportunity – you never know where it will lead. Travel as much as you can! 

What is your current favourite book or podcast you’d recommend? 

My favourite authors at the moment are Heather Morris, Jane Harper, Dervla McTiernan, Kate Morton, Kate Mosse and Richard Fidler.  

Describe your life in three sentences: one for family, one for career, one for fun!  

My family consists of my late dad and mum, and my loving extended family spread across the globe – no fur babies or significant other just yet! It’s never a dull moment in the business development and commercial lending space where I get a chance to meet business owners from different sectors and guide them to growing their whole of wallet both strategically and effectively. In winter, you’ll find me in a reformer Pilates studio, and in summer, by the beach after work or with friends. I love to travel so I always plan an adventure or two in between.  

How does life look different from what you thought it would be when you were in Year 12? 

The last ten years since leaving school, life has definitely thrown its challenges. There have been many triumphs as well as plenty of lows, which I would never have thought I had to deal with. Despite this, it has taught me that I am a confident, independent and resilient individual, which I’m grateful for.  

What are some of your favourite memories of your time as a student at MLC? 

There are too many favourites to choose from but to name a few: I joined MLC in year 10 and absolutely enjoyed meeting peers who have become my lifelong friends. I was selected for a women’s mentoring program and got a chance to be mentored by Karen Martini and even met Moira Kelly at one of the networking events. I visited Europe as part of the ‘Euro History Tour’ in Year 11 with my fellow classmates, we visited five countries in three weeks. 

What advice would you tell your 17-year-old self 

Don’t be afraid and live in the moment. Importantly, have a vision of who you want to be, align your goals towards that and everything will fall into place.  

What is your current favourite book or podcast you’d recommend? 

Who gets to be Smart, a book about privilege, power and knowledge.