Skool Daze – Prominent Gold Coasters talk about school days

skool DAZE

Attending school and getting an education is an all-important part of shaping us for life’s journey. We asked some prominent women for their memories from their time in class during those formative years.

Tiffany Rigby

Talent Agent with Reel Management representing Models, Actors, Extras and Kids. Where did you go to school for primary and senior? ? Primary - Coogee South Public, Sydney NSW. High school - St. Clare's College, Waverley in Sydney which is an all-girls school. Favourite subject and why? Geography because I always wanted to travel the world, go on adventures and discover new places. And Ancient History as I was fascinated by the Egyptians and the Pyramids. Favourite teacher and why? The French teacher Sister Theresa because she spent all lesson with her back to the class writing on the chalk board, so my bestie and I could eat Twisties we had stashed in our pockets. Best memory at school? By far the lifelong friends I made. Especially the year 10 school trip to Canberra, where all the girls bonded over laughter, pranks and conversations of our high school boy crushes from our brother school Waverley College. Academic or sporting achievement? Sports was probably more important to me than academics, purely because it was more exciting. I was the House sports captain in primary school. In high school I was always competitive in swimming and athletics, regularly bringing home ribbons. I played representative netball and was a Surf Life Saver, completing my Bronze medallion and doing regular patrols at Bronte Beach in Sydney where I spent every weekend. I also learnt to surf and often went fishing with my father, bringing home the trophies in an all-male fishing competition. Anything to do with the ocean, I loved. What did you want to be when you grew up? At 16 I wanted to be an International Flight Attendant with Qantas. I still joke I don't know what I want to be when I grow up now and I'm sure I'll always be young at heart. To me success isn't how much money I make, it's more about family, friends and relationships along the way. My integrity and values and how I'll be remembered are what matter. Is your life now what you expected it to be? If so how? No, not at all. I always knew I wanted a big family. Fortunately for me I was lucky to have four children who are my world. Now my three sons are adults and my teenage daughter is the only one at school. Although I am fiercely loyal and expected to have only one marriage and live happily ever with my white picket fence, I now know that life can often throw you a curve ball. Forced to walk a different path, I am grateful for the challenges that have led me to living my best life, embracing change, passionate and excited for the future.

Byron Bourne

Hair and Makeup Artist Where did you go to school for primary and senior? Trinity Lutheran Primary School and Benowa State High School. Favourite subject and why? I really enjoyed Home Economics especially the sewing part. Favourite teacher and why? Miss Challenor (year 4 teacher) who was super kind and caring. I actually just reached out to her recently to let her know she was my favourite all time teacher. And she remembered me! Best memory at school? A year 12 ski trip especially blasting Millencolin, a popular punk band at the time, and everyone singing along to it. Academic or sporting achievement? Maths award for year 12 What did you want to be when you grew up? A marine biologist Is your life now what you expected it to be? No, but I’m not surprised with the industry into which I fell. I started dancing at the age of four and did that for years and years. The whole thing - dance competitions with all the hair and makeup. All through high school, I was always interested in makeup which then lead me to become a makeup artist after I dropped out of college. I’ve gone through some pretty traumatic times which I certainly didn’t expect. But it has taught me to be stronger.

Best memory at school? Every Music Night and school play - ABBA, Rhythm of Life, Grease, Toad of Toad Hall, many more. Of course I dressed up. Academic or sporting achievement? Voice of Youth, public speaking and debating. All the sports. I had too much energy. I beat the school brain in English in the HSC. What did you want to be when you grew up? A nosy reporter a la Lois Lane, complete with sharp suit and sharper tongue. Have worked in TV here and overseas, covered the Olympic Games and worked for Vogue, Herald newspapers and a bunch of others. Best career choice ever. Is your life now what you expected it to be? Kind of but I thought it would be more Carrie Bradshaw than Bridget Jones

Jeni Bone

Journo/writer/editor Where did you go to school for primary and senior? Epping West (is the best, all the others are a pest!) PLC Sydney | Sydney University | Macleay College | UNSW Favourite subject and why? English – Literature and Language. I love the power of words to conjure images, emotions and to move mountains.

Favourite teacher and why? Mrs Pamela Nutt (Mrs P Nutt!) in years 11 and 12 because she brought Chaucer, Shakespeare, Jane Austen, and Charles Dickens to life. She loved them all with great zeal and her enthusiasm roped us in.

Karlie Ezair

Where did you go to school for primary and seniorl? Primary school ‘Avoca Beach Primary’ and Coffs Harbour Jetty High. Favourite subject and why? English because of a couple of fabulous teachers and my love of words. Favourite teacher and why? Mrs Austen because she helped me realise how poignant words could be plus she encouraged me by believing in me. Best memory at school? Playing ‘catch and kiss’…probably not allowed these days! Academic or sporting achievement? Winning National Toastmasters. What did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to become an actress…now I just get to ‘act up’ with my GF’s. Is your life now what you expected it to be? It’s not how I’d envisioned because I didn’t think I’d ever want children when I was young. It’s more fulfilling and joyous than I’d imagined and I am filled with contentment because of them.

Catherine Fitzsimmons

Business development and relationships manager Currumbin Clinic Where did you go to school for primary and senior? I attended Viewbank Primary School and Rosanna East High School which merged and became Viewbank College. Both were in Melbourne. Favourite subject and why? I loved maths in high school but in my last years at school fell in love with English, especially creative writing. Favourite teacher and why? Mrs Brisbane my Home Economics teacher. We were allowed to call her by her first name in year 12 and go in the home economics room at morning break and have tea and cookies with her. Best memory at school? Doing my debutante ball in year 11. It was my first time getting dressed up and having my hair and makeup done with my friends. It was very special and something fun for school. Academic or sporting achievement? Academically I was the winner of the year 12 public speaking awards - not a surprise to those who know me. In terms of sports I won lots of age champion awards for various sports through school but the furthest I went with any was to the state finals for javelin and came 5th. Not sure it has ever come in handy though. What did you want to be when you grew up? I always wanted to be a nurse and that is what I did at university straight from school. Only change was I wanted to be a general nurse only but fell in love with mental health. Is your life now what you expected it to be? I have changed career paths several times so still a bit up in the air where I will end up, but we have three beautiful children which is more than I could have wished for. I probably didn’t expect I would ever have moved from Melbourne but it is the best thing I ever did and I have been here for 17 years now.

Pam Sturgess

Where did you go to school for primary and senior? I grew up in Melbourne and started school at St Margaret’s in Maribyrnong which was across the road from home. It only went to grade 3 so then I headed off to St Columba’s College in Essendon. Favourite subject and why? I loved geography, history, singing and dancing lessons. Favourite teacher and why? I don’t really have a favourite teacher Best memory at school? My friends. My best friend from school is still my best friend despite our Art and French teacher telling us that we would never see each other again when we finished school. That nun was so wrong. Academic or sporting achievement? I was a pretty average student but my main achievement was sticking with all the speech lessons so that I can pronounce my “r’s” rather than calling all those rabbits and robins, ‘wabbit and wobin’ What did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a flight attendant for a while as my father worked for an airline and we travelled quite a bit. Later on I was interested in political science. I ended up in banking and finance working in so many different areas. I got to travel around Australia, UK NZ and Ireland with work making great friends along the way. Is your life what you expected it to be? Looking back I don’t know what I really expected but I think I am exactly where I am meant to be. I am happy with my life. I have wonderful family and friends, live in a great place with time to enjoy what I have while also time to give back through the Gold Coast Local Charities Lunches

Melina Muenstermann

Graphic designer and photographer Where did you go to school for primary and senior? Both in Germany. Primary was Don-Bosco School in Eschweiler Germany my Senior College was Graphic and Technique, Aachen Germany. Favourite subject and why? Media Design - My passion was always in branding and logo design it was the only subject where I could sit for hours without getting bored. Favourite teacher and why? Mr Galizzy, he always had so much passion for teaching his students and I really appreciated all his efforts.

Best memory at school? Creating an advertising video for a film festival with a whole team of students from different areas was an amazing experience and we had so much fun while doing it. It built friendships for life. Academic or sporting achievement? Winning an award for the best campaign design and being the team leader of our team. I was always average in school and sport but I was a dancer for 15 years and won a few trophies with my crew and my dance partner. What did you want to be when you grew up? I always wanted to combine photography and graphic design in one job. People always said I have to decide on one so I couldn’t do both. Today it’s my absolute passion to be able to combine both. Is your life what you expected it to be? Coming from Germany three years ago with a few hundred dollars and big dreams in my backpack I never expected to live on the other side of the world. It’s been an absolutely amazing journey and way better than I could have ever imagined.

Katy Smith-Page

Where did you go to school for primary and senior? Bundaberg North Primary and Bundaberg High School. Favourite subject? Sports. I loved being outdoors and out of the school room. Favourite teacher and why? Mr Hough who was the principal and also taught us geography. Best memory at school? Sports day and being able to play everything or leaving school for ever Academic or sporting achievement? State hockey representative 1971-1981. I was also an A Grade squash player, a coach in hockey and squash in Cairns, Mt Isa and Dubai. In Dubai I was the Head of Physical education at an English speaking school. What did you want to be when you grew up? Either a physical education teacher or a hairdresser. Is your life what you expected it to be? Better than I thought it would ever be!!!!!