> Alumni Highlights
Conversations with a Kilvonian ADJUNCT PROFESSOR SHELLEY PENN AM, CLASS OF 1982 Tell us a little bit about yourself. Hi I’m Shelley, 1982 Kilvington graduate. I’m an architect, educator, urbanist and built environment advocate. I run my own architectural firm, Shelley Penn Architects, a hybrid practice specialising in residential design and shifting focus to include consultation to government and the private sector on public projects. I’m also the mother of two much-loved sons, aged 18 and 20. In my spare time, I walk, read and swim in Port Phillip Bay. What have you been up to since leaving Kilvington? I studied Architecture at Melbourne University. After finishing, I worked in various architectural practices, and then set up my own practice in 1993 after travelling overseas. After seven years, I questioned whether this was the path I wanted to follow. I then changed tack and moved to Sydney and began a job as Design Director in the Office of the NSW Government Architect in 2000. I eventually moved back to Melbourne and continued to run my own business. In recent years, I’ve practised much less, and I now do more work as a Company Director and Board Member for government and private organisations. I’m also the University Architect at Monash University and a member of State Design Review Panels around Australia. What is your favourite memory of Kilvington? The friendships I formed, sitting in the sun at the ‘HSC House’ and chatting during breaks. I actually enjoyed the schoolwork too! Any funny stories? I’ll need to dredge up my memory for that … perhaps our last day of School which was the equivalent of ‘muck up’ day now; parading down North Road dressed as hippies, putting glad-wrap on the toilet seats, etc. I’m not sure if students are allowed to do that now?! Did you end up where you expected you would when you finished school? Not at all. I didn’t really have clear expectations about what my future might be. I’m still quite open to things moving and changing – it’s exciting! I was not clear 42 Kilvington News
about studying architecture, but I was open to it and ultimately got a lot out of it and of life at university. It has been a foundation for a very diverse and interesting path for me. I’ve also maintained that approach, staying open to opportunities that align with my values and capabilities and working hard at things once I’ve taken them up. How did your time at Kilvington prepare you for what you are doing now? The small school environment suited me, and I was comfortable with what was then a fairly narrow curriculum. I liked English, Literature and Pure Maths … but I know the narrower range of subjects didn’t work for everyone. I was lucky. Overall, I felt supported in developing and doing my best within a safe and respected environment. I had good relationships with my friends and my teachers, many of whom were inspirational. I was fortunate to be elected President of the Student Representative Council, too. What are you passionate about? I’m passionate about the impact and importance of design quality in the public realm. The design of buildings and spaces has a huge impact on wellbeing, community engagement, connectedness, social inclusiveness and sustainability and is so important for these reasons. It’s also important because the delight and enjoyment of our environment enrich our lives and build pride in place. What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve had to face to get where you are now? Recognising when the work I’m doing or the path I’ve taken is not quite right and having the courage to step away from it. This has included struggling with selfdoubt and ‘imposter syndrome’ at various times. I’ve worked hard to reflect upon and understand what’s driving those feelings at different times and to move forward, or do better if I feel I can, or to just ‘do it anyway’. I’ve also learnt to acknowledge when I’ve done well or had some success. Standing up and challenging myself to recognise and resist unconscious bias (most often related to gender, but bias in all forms) in others and in myself. We all have these biases,
and we have the power to be self-aware and to change to support others equally. What has been your biggest highlight so far? The existence of my two sons and their presence in my life. In relation to my work, I think it was the receipt of an Order of Australia (AM) last year, which was unexpected. I am passionate about trying to contribute to making the world better for all, and for me that has meant championing the quality of public places, buildings and open spaces to be accessible, welcoming to all people and sustainable and delightful. What excites you about the future? The incredible capability of humanity to be inventive, intelligent, compassionate and collaborative in developing solutions for major challenges, such as our rapidly-changing climate, the loss of animal and plant species, biodiversity and the disproportionate impacts that are, and will be, felt by people around the world. I have enormous faith in science, and I believe our collective response to COVID worldwide shows what we can do if we put our minds to it. How did what you learn at Kilvington help make you the person you are today? I think there was a strong culture of respect for others regardless of background – or at least I felt that – and I was also taught that by my family. This has been a foundational principle for me. But I say this from a position of relative privilege. It may not have been everyone’s experience. Any advice for our current Year 12 students as they embark on the next stage of their journey? Follow your passion, but work hard and be prepared to stick things out because sometimes the time might not be right for change, or because you still have much to learn where you are. Stay open-minded. Don’t let doubt get you down but use it to be better. Be honest at all times, and be honest with yourself about your strengths and your weaknesses. Be humble, too, but don’t forget to acknowledge and reward yourself for hard work and achievements, however small they might seem. Most of all – enjoy life in all its rich diversity!
Follow your passion, but work hard and be prepared to stick things out because sometimes the time might not be right for change, or because you still have much to learn where you are.
