NOW & THEN
Melissa Gilbert Where did you go to school for primary and senior? Both schools are in Brisbane - Albany Hills Primary School and Aspley State High School. Favourite subject? Mathematics and Art. Favourite teacher? Mrs McInnerney. Best memory at school? Being with my friends. Academic or sporting achievement? Academic – I received awards for art and maths. What did you want to be when you grew up? Lawyer but I switched to banking. Is your life now what you expected it to be? Yes, but I didn’t expect the hardships along the way. Life has been great mainly and has given me trips overseas, met some amazing people and been able to attend some amazing events. I am very fortunate to be able to have these opportunities. Most of all though the amazing friendships I have made and my beautiful family. I am incredibly grateful and thankful.
Emma Bain Where did you go to school? Faulconbridge Primary School (Blue Mts, NSW. Yrs K-6), Springwood High School (Blue Mts, NSW. Grade 7), Alfred Deakin High School (Canberra, Yrs 8-10), Lake Tuggeranong College (Canberra, Yrs 11-12) . Favourite subject and why? I had better say English as I’ve made a career out of words! But I was definitely partial to Drama….what 16 year old isn’t?!. Favourite teacher and why? I had a fantastic English teacher in Year 11, Mr Gannon. He treated all his students with an abundance of respect and allowed us to ask questions and really created a fun atmosphere for learning. Best memory at school? Addressing the graduating Year 12 class as Student Representative President. It’s a great age for optimism and possibilities, and the crowd was pumped. Academic or sporting achievement? I was awarded the Caltex Medal in Year 12, recognising all-round academic and sporting achievement. I played water polo all through school, representing at state and national level, culminating in being selected in the Australian School Girls and University teams. What did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a news reader, just like Sandra Sully, (who is still professionally aspirational today). Is your life now what you expected it to be? It’s funny, as you grow older you realise that all the dreams of your younger self really just add up to wanting to be happy. And if that is the measure, then I am grateful to report that life is turning out as hoped.
Jacqui Latimer Where did you go to school for primary and senior? Timbumburi Public School and Tamworth High School Favourite subject and why? English. I loved reading and writing and the how the written word can describe something so vividly. Favourite teacher? Mrs Vyner, my senior English teacher, was incredibly supportive and nurturing in her teaching and she taught my favourite subject. Best memory at school? My friendships particularly with my beautiful friend Karen. Despite living in different states and not seeing each other as much as we’d like, we’re still as close today as we were then. Academic or sporting achievement? I competed in
dressage throughout my childhood and teenage years. We travelled to competitions nearly every weekend and mostly to Sydney which was a 5-6 hour drive from Tamworth in those days. At 14, I won NSW dressage champion which as a country kid, was unheard of as typically a city kid would win.
What did you want to be when you left school? A journalist which I became up until I had children. Juggling children and journalism was hard as news never stops and neither do children. Is life how you thought it would be or better? I would have to say no. Growing up in country NSW, I never expected to be living on the Gold Coast. It was always a vacation spot so I’m thrilled this I where I ended up. As much as I had planned to continue with journalism, it wasn’t meant to be. I love marketing and communications, and I have an amazing job with a great company. Most importantly my two beautiful children are my world and I could never have expected to have such amazing children - I’m truly blessed. AUTUMN • 2022 21
