Meet Nia Harrison

Yuulong Residential Assistant

Welcome back, Nia! You graduated from Clarendon in 2018 and are a familiar face to many of us. You are starting as the Residential Assistant at Yuulong in Term 1 this year. How exciting!

  1. Can you describe your role as a Residential Assistant at Yuulong?
    Nia: I am just getting into it, so it is all becoming more apparent to me as I spend time at Yuulong. However, essentially, I am part of a team of wonderful staff who mentor the students throughout their time at Yuulong. A big part of what we do is guiding them on exciting multi-day bushwalks and taking them out for experiences like surfing.
  2. That sounds like such a fulfilling role! Looking back, what were your most memorable experiences during your time at Clarendon?
    Nia: Being a part of the Girls Boarding House (GBH) is certainly at the top of the list. I have four brothers, so the GBH was my first proper experience of ‘sisterhood.’ Another standout experience was volunteering in Cambodia during Year 12. It was an incredible opportunity and I will always be grateful for it.
  3. Since leaving Clarendon, you’ve had quite the journey! Can you tell us what you have been up to?
    Nia: It has been a mix of study, work and a lot of travel! I completed a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communications and European Studies at The University of Melbourne. This led me to work in communications in Melbourne and at the Australian Open in a media role. But my love for exploring took over. I completed my Diploma in Teaching English as a Foreign Language and then spent 18 months backpacking through Europe, especially Norway and Scotland, as well as Nepal and India. I taught English along the way, but much of my travels were centred around hiking. That passion led me to New Zealand, where I completed a Graduate Diploma in Sustainability and Outdoor Education in Christchurch. I only just moved back to Australia last month!
  4. What an incredible journey! So, what drew you to outdoor education and, ultimately, this role at Yuulong?
    Nia: I have always been ‘outdoorsy’ and I have developed quite a passion for long walks and hiking! Initially, I studied outdoor education with the idea of getting into guiding work, but along the way, I realised I also love teaching. Yuulong is the perfect blend of both! When I was at Clarendon, students would frequently reflect on their wonderful experiences at King Island. I also attended the ‘School for Student Leadership’ in Year 9, so I know how impactful these programs are and I wanted to be part of that again!
  5. That’s fantastic. As a former boarder, how do you think that experience will help you support students in the Yuulong program?
    Nia: I know what it is like to live with people you don’t initially know very well and I understand the challenges of being away from family. Living in the GBH taught me how special it is to create a new kind of ‘family,’ and I hope to help students navigate through that experience at Yuulong.
  6. Outside of work, how do you like to spend your free time?
    Nia: I am known to flicker between outdoor endeavours. Over the past year, I have been into running, then I spent every weekend skiing and recently, I have taken up surfing which I am really enjoying! I am eager to get involved in most things when it comes to the beautiful outdoors.
  7. Sounds like you will fit right in at Yuulong. What are some of your goals for this new role?
    Nia: I am so excited about all the things I am going to learn! While I have my outdoor education qualification, one of my main goals is to gain more confidence in applying those skills. I want to be able to provide students with exciting and challenging outdoor experiences and really make the most of Yuulong’s unique environment. This role feels like a great opportunity to bring my various studies, work experiences and travels together into one position. I can’t wait to get into it!

With Yuulong’s Term 1 students arriving early next week, I wish you the best of luck, Nia. Enjoy all of the incredible experiences that Yuulong has to offer.