Catching Up With Our Inspiring Alumni

Jodene Garstone
Class of 2016 | Geelong Grammar School

Right now, I am in my final year of my Arts degree majoring in Peace and Conflict Studies. I have plans to continue studying in Canberra. I have applied and I am just waiting to hear back from the university.

This semester I started interning with Linda Burney as part of The Australian National Internship Program. It was just an amazing experience to get to know the ins-and-outs of parliament and to sit in on meetings, especially since the country has been in crisis management mode since Christmas with the fires and now COVID-19. It has given me anew perspective on the Australian Government and politics in general which has been an in valuable learning experience. Unfortunately, because of Coronavirus, my placement was cut short however I am still completing my 8,000-word research report for her from home.

I have flourished so much more since going to ANU and there were so many times that I just wanted to give up, but I have learnt that the longer you stay and the harder you try the more you are rewarded

Tye Bedford
Class of 2017
St Peter’s College, Adelaide

The past year I have been in Halls Creek working at the local high school. I decided to then move back to Adelaide at the start of this year 2020 to play Aussie rules. I have been doing pre-season training for the last couple of months in Adelaide but since the coronavirus pandemic shut down all sports,I made the decision to fly back home to Halls Creek. Once the Western Australia border reopens, I’ll be going back to Adelaide as soon as possible

Jamie Sampson
Class of 2011 | Farrer Memorial Ag School

I am currently relieving in the Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer role for School Services based at the Moree, NSW office. My substantive role is the Aboriginal Education Officer at Moree Secondary College. I also work full time as a Drug and Alcohol Worker at the Moree Aboriginal Residential Rehabilitation Service. I love both of my roles as I get to work with the future leaders of our community and also support our mob battling with trauma and addiction.

Georgia Bayles
Class of 2016 | Rockhampton Grammar School

I am currently studying Enrolled Nursing at CQU in Rockhampton. While studying I have a job out in the mines at Saraji – Dysart QLD driving dump trucks. It is something completely different to what I would normally do and I’m loving every bit of it!

Mahlia Peachey
Class of 2015 | Abbotsleigh

I have just returned to work as a Health Informatics Officer (data) at the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service after 7 months maternity leave. As challenging as it can be, motherhood has been the most amazing experience. I have also started studying at Monash University with the goal of becoming a doctor. I’m still deciding what I would like to specialise in.

Elizabeth Mahon
Class of 2015 | The Glennie School

The Aboriginal Medical Service that I work in (GP Clinic), has been tirelessly working through Coronavirus. Like many other clinics, we have implemented telephone consults, car park reviews and drive through flu clinics. The number of influenza immunisations that have been given in the past month has definitely exceeded last year’s figure, and it’s still rising. We are continuing to provide ongoing services to the Indigenous community to ensure they are well looked after in addition to Coronavirus.

On another note, I am able to see the finish line with my nursing degree as my last two placements have been allocated. Like most alumni and students (I’m assuming), the transition to completing studies online was tricky and hard to understand at first, but it’s now become easier.

This current period is a very trying and stressful time, however, we’re very resilient people and I continue to applaud everyone for their individual and collective efforts to persevere through.

Todd Ellis
Class of 2013 | Toowoomba Grammar School

I am currently working for the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment in the Crown Land area. We have not been too affected at the moment just working from home, which I am personally a huge fan of! Also, part of the job is a completion of a Certificate III in Business which has also continued through COVID-19. The time at home has been great with lots of lunchtime dog walks!

Mitch Whiteley
Class of 2012 | St Ignatius’ College, Riverview

I’m currently working as an executive in the JLL Western Sydney Industrial team. I seek to add value by providing the highest level of service, as well as creating effective and innovative strategies to achieve optimum results for my clients, working in divestment and leasing of industrial assets within Western Sydney.

In terms of face-to-face meetings and inspections within our market during the Covid-19 period, we have new processes to stay safe and social distance ourselves from others with a number of precautions taken to ensure our safety whilst at work. For example, JLL has a week A and week B team rotation to be physically present in the office which has brought some challenges, however it has also allowed me to go home to Geurie, NSW and enjoy some family time that I usually wouldn’t have during this time of the year; and for that I’m very grateful.

To the rest of the Yalari family out there, stay safe during this uncertain time and hopefully we can catch up very soon.

Jamika Kelly-Wirth
Class of 2018
The Glennie School/PLC Armidale

I am studying my Bachelor of Nursing at ACU in Sydney. I am also working as an Aboriginal Health Worker at Hornsby Hospital, where I look after the immunisation register for Indigenous kids. My work day consists of liaising with parents, doctors and the Australian Government. I have also been working casually as an assistant nurse and have helped during the Covid-19 crisis.

Molly Trindall
Class of 2018 | Presbyterian Ladies College, Armidale

I am currently living in Toowoomba, working for one of the biggest food processing companies, JBS Australia. I am working at their Toowoomba feedlot, called Beef City Feedlot. We also have our own abattoir on site. My role is part of the animal health and welfare team; our days can be as boring as you could think and as busy and exciting as anything.

We all have a minimum of three horses for work and we ride every pen of cattle every single day for our eight-day shift. We pull out sick or injured cattle and once all this is done, we put them through our “hospital” shed and they all get treated and transferred into hospital pens. I feel as though this is a very different industry than what many of my fellow Yalari friends have gotten into but it’s an industry I love. I am also studying a Bachelor of Agricultural Management and Production through the University of New England. It is a bit of a struggle keeping up with a full-time job and studying but it’s worth it.

On top of all that I am training a few of my own horses and have a few (too many!) client horses too, but training is my passion and I love doing it everyday