NOW & THEN
helping to change the injustices of the world.
Liz Kinchin What school did you attend for primary and senior? I grew up in Africa and went to school with my twin sister – were two little blondies! I attended St Mary’s until it closed down, it was the happiest time of my life. I even had a pet Zebra. For high school we were sent to boarding school St Michaels Anglican school for girls. Favourite subject? Art but a close second was drama and music. Yes I loved the choir too, I was a nerd. Least favourite subject? Latin – We chanted before each exam. Latin is a dead language, as dead as dead can be, it killed off all the Romans and now it is killing me. Favourite teacher? Sister Aloysius, a charismatic German nun who was an incredible musician, loved drama but she was also an avid humanitarian. She not only opened my eyes to the fabulous world of music, but also the injustices of the apartheid era and how people of colour were badly treated. Sister Aloysius taught me from the age of 7 to believe in people. She is a major catalyst for me being so interested in helping marginalised souls and
Best memory at school? I grew up in apartheid South Africa all children went to segregated schools depending on their race. This angered me even from a young age. My mother was Scottish and my father was German, so we were bundled off to SMS so we would have an unbiased upbringing. We boarded with diplomats children of all races. African, Chinese, we even had a class mate from Saudi Arabia. I learnt so much from my fabulous friends about different cultures, aspirations, and dreams. What did you want to be when you left school? I had my heart set on becoming a Hotel Manager. I love business, people and public relations. However my super strict caring, conservative German father forbid me to go to hotel school as he had spoken to a hotelier who said most women in the hotel industry become promiscuous. “Seriously!” Luckily years later I ended up working for the Hospitality Industries Training Board and helping many hoteliers so I lived out my dream through other hoteliers in a way. Is life how you thought it would be or better? Life is definitely not how I imagined it at all. I am so blessed to call Australia home. Especially the Gold Coast. I have met the most incredible people, magical, special people, and helped so many of them and their families through the years have a better healthier life. We have cried together, laughed together and cheered each other on. I am so privileged to have had the opportunity of living all over the world and finally calling Australia home. It is the BEST spot on the planet and we are even more privileged to call the Gold Coast home.
Nicola Buchanan What school did you attend for primary and senior? Holy Cross Primary School, St Dominic’s College in New Zealand and Merrimac State High School. Favourite subject? I loved art class and of course lunchtime. Favourite teacher? I don’t remember a particular but I do recall that I hated Sister Leonie with a passion. Best memory at school? I was lucky enough to be a Rotary Exchange Student for 3 months when I was in Grade 10. It was the best fun ever. Academic or sporting achievements? 400m running was something I was very good at and ended up winning at the Regional Championships. I also won an Accounting Prize in Grade 12 as well as my time as a Rotary Exchange Sudent. Did you love school and why? I loved most aspects of school – friends, art, anything that was creative. Maths was something I really hated though. What did you want to be when you left school? I wanted to work in advertising using my creative side. Is life how you thought it would be or better? Way better. SUMMER • 2021/2022 21
