I finished at Clonard at the end of 1981 and after the summer holidays of 1982, I easily found a full-time job in Brunswick St, Fitzroy working as a ‘Girl Friday’ (General Reception/Office Worker) whilst waiting to commence the Enrolled Nursing Course in March 1983 at the Geelong Hospital. After successfully completing my nursing training, I worked in Aged Care at Maryville Nursing Home in Geelong before moving up to Queensland where I continued working as a nurse at the Gold Coast Hospital. The following year, I moved over to England on a working holiday visa and worked as a nurse, nanny and in administration roles.

I returned home to Geelong, married, and we had two sons who are now in their early 30’s. I had always loved reading and learning and completed many short courses over the next 20 years. In 2005, I received a Distinction from Deakin University having completed a Bachelor of Nursing Degree. It was a challenging several years as a full time student, part time Enrolled Nurse, and as a sole parent to my primary school aged sons. Following my degree, I worked as a Registered Nurse with Barwon Health, completing my Graduate Nurse year and over the next 15 years working in the acute sector, mental health, drug and alcohol detox, aged care, education and community health.

I studied a Certificate IV in Youth Work at the Gordon TAFE in 2007 and was asked by my Health Programs Manager to enrol in the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment to become a teacher in Nursing and Aged Care. I completed the course and several years later, studied Life Coaching and ran my own health coaching/training business along with teaching at the Gordon over the next 12 years. A wonderful organisation in Norlane – Northern Futures – ran courses through the Gordon TAFE for under resourced locals and I was very fortunate to be asked to teach the Aged Care Course and other wellbeing programs at the Community Centre.

Always passionate to empower and support others, particularly those in disadvantage and living in under-resourced communities, I trained in the ‘Bridges out of Poverty Framework’ by Dr Ruby Payne and then facilitated the ‘Getting Ahead in a Getting by World’ Program with Northern Futures. The program was transformational for our students who then continued on with further learning and employment/career opportunities with life changing outcomes. I am currently an Associate Trainer delivering the Frameworks for Understanding Poverty and Bridges out of Poverty Workshops with educators, health providers, and others in the community who work with people in disadvantage.

Of course a few years ago we had COVID interrupt all our lives.  I joined the Victorian Government surge workforce as a Nurse Immuniser for the vaccine rollout.  At the same time, my partner and I became Accredited Foster Carers for Mackillop Services and we provided weekend respite care for a local child in need. Such a highly rewarding and special time for us all!

In October 2024, I completed the El Camino Frances – a pilgrimage whereby you walk from St Jean Pied de Port in France to Santiago de Compostela, Spain – 800km. With my backpack, I arrived at the Cathedral in Santiago after 32 days of hiking and received my stamped Compostela Passport and Certificates. There are many El Camino paths in Spain and all over Europe and for many people it’s a religious/spiritual experience. For hundreds of years, thousands of people have walked and travelled through the towns and cities of Spain. The Frances Camino is the way of St James and it’s truly impossible to describe in words this truly unique and beautiful adventure, and how the experience was for me.

I gained so much from my student days at Clonard – lifelong friendships and special memories that I remember so well. I feel very fortunate and grateful to have been a student and appreciate the wonderful teachers and staff from all those years ago. I still remember all their names and faces and I continue to enjoy being part of the caring Clonard Alumni Community, attending school organised events and reunions and my peer social media group catch ups also.

Clonard College taught me so much more than academic lessons. It was the values of: learning, community, connection, friendship, gratitude, empathy, forgiveness, health, care and love instilled in me then, that are still holding true today.

Colleen Delaney (Silcock)