For how long have you been working/volunteering at Clarendon? Since graduating in 2018, I have volunteered at Clarendon as a coach within the rowing program. At the start of 2023, I transitioned into my current role at our Yuulong residential campus.
What does your current role entail? My role involves supporting our Year 9 students during their 8-week Yuulong experience. This includes partaking in a variety of outdoor activities including surfing, local excursions and hiking along the southern coast of Victoria. I assist in developing students’ soft skills within a communal living environment, focussing on further enhancing their self-management, communication and leadership skills.
What do you enjoy most about your role at Clarendon? The most rewarding part is having the opportunity to support students outside their comfort zone to achieve things they never thought possible. This can be seen in so many contexts within the program, whether it be students pushing themselves physically beyond what they thought they were capable of during a hike, or using their conflict resolution skills to navigate a challenging social interaction with a peer. It’s a real privilege to be part of their Yuulong journey and to witness their self-discovery and growth throughout the program. Also, having the opportunity to live in one of the most beautiful parts of Victoria is certainly a bonus!
Aside from your role at Yuulong, have you taken part in any other activities with the students? I have been involved in the rowing program as a junior, intermediate, and senior coach.
Tell us about your time as a student at Clarendon. I look back on my 15 years as a student at Clarendon very fondly. Over that time, I was afforded many opportunities and experiences that shape who I am today. A definite highlight of my time would have to be the variety of places I travelled to with the school, including King Island in Year 9, a trip to Cambodia in Year 12 and flying to Sydney for a rowing regatta. Although my coordination levels lacked, I also loved getting involved in a variety of co-curricular activities, from performing arts through to football, rowing, cricket and even volleyball. I was also fortunate enough to be School Captain in my final year.
What else do you do in your spare time? Living on-site means that on my days off, I get to enjoy exploring everything the wider Otway region has to offer. This includes some amazing beaches, waterfalls, and rainforests all within half an hour of the campus.
