What year did you graduate VHS?
Regrettably I did not graduate Year 12, I left school in 2007 to start working. I wish I had finished the HSC as this would have opened a lot more doors for me through my time with the Navy and the Department of Justice.
Where are you working now and in what role?
Currently I work for the Clontarf Foundation, Vincentia Academy as an operations officer working with the Year 9 & 10 cohorts.
What do you love about your job?
I love being able to give back to the community I grew up in by helping the younger Aboriginal boys through their schooling journey and ultimately graduating Year 12 and realising how much potential each and every one of them have.
Did anyone at VHS inspire you to follow your chosen career path?
Yes, my mum (Aunty Gai) she inspired me to want to do what I am currently doing by seeing how passionate she is about what she does for her community and how rewarded she feels when a student succeeds.
Did you have many challenges to get to where you are now?
I don’t think I had challenges but I definitely had to do a lot of growing up to get to where I am now. The Navy provided me with countless opportunities to develop, gain life experience and build character and resilience.
Do you have any advice for our current students?
Find your passion and direction, know where you want to go and how to get there. If you need help do not be afraid to ask for it. It’s too easy to be undecided on what you want to do and what direction to take which can lead to you ‘feeling stuck’ or ‘lost’.