I attended Clonard College from 2010 to 2016. One of my favourite subjects at Clonard was Art with Miss Gillard. It provided a creative outlet that was a refreshing break from subjects like English and Maths. I also really enjoyed classes with Mr. McCallum—his sense of humour and ability to make lessons fun, especially during the pressures of VCE, made a lasting impression. Lastly, Ms. Evans had a huge influence on me, particularly in helping me grow as a leader. Thanks to her guidance, I had the honour of becoming College Captain, which was a defining moment of my time at Clonard. This role allowed me to transition from being a student to taking on more adult responsibilities, leading a team, and seeing projects come to life.

After finishing at Clonard, I launched my own womenswear label, which was successful but ultimately didn’t align with my long-term goals. I then transitioned to a role as a diamond consultant at Diamond Exchange on Collins Street, where I developed strong communication and problem-solving skills. This experience led to a promotion as Assistant Manager.

During my time at Diamond Exchange, I dealt with some significant health issues, which eventually led me to a dietitian. That experience sparked my interest in nutrition, and I realised it was the career I wanted to pursue. At 21, I started a Bachelor of Health Sciences, majoring in nutrition and exercise science. After completing my undergraduate degree, I moved to Melbourne to pursue a Master of Dietetics while working at Nutrition Plus alongside Melanie McGrice.

I graduated last year and have recently finished my graduate year as a clinical, community, and food service dietitian at Colac Area Health. I absolutely love the work I’m doing now.

My biggest piece of advice is not to put too much pressure on figuring out your career path right away. Opportunities will arise, and it’s okay to explore different paths. I never imagined in school that I would end up as a dietitian, but taking time off after high school helped me discover what I truly wanted to do.