Tartan News

Ruby Gherbaz (2014)

Ruby Gherbaz (2014) has already enjoyed an illustrious dancing career including performing in the past two seasons of Channel 7’s Dancing with the Stars. She recently took pause to reflect on her time at PLC and how the School and her parents enabled her to pursue her passion.

Ruby is currently performing in Burn the Floor, has numerous national dancing titles and in the past two years had her most challenging dancing gig yet – partnering with former Bachelor, Matty J and TV Weatherman, Sam Mac on Dancing with the Stars. “I start with a beginner and have to teach them Ballroom basics and get them to a standard where they can perform a new dance each week that I’ve choreographed,” Ruby said. “Expectations are high, and time is short.”

While her dancing has taken her to international stages, Ruby began her dancing career at the age of eight after her parents started dancing socially and her brother, Jessie, joined in and needed a partner.

“I was an unlikely ballroom competitor. I was such a tom boy and [wore] boys’ clothes;

I was probably bribed with McDonalds,” Ruby said.

Although her brother didn’t continue with the sport, Ruby did, and by Year 8, Ruby and her dance partner were

Junior Winners of the Dance Masters Margaret CheneySmith Memorial Cup and on their way to ballroom fame in Australia. The training and travel commitments were considerable and fitting it all around school was a challenge for both Ruby and her parents. “Although PLC was a prestigious school and it was highly academic, my parents never pushed me in that direction because they knew what my passion was. They wanted me to succeed academically and not just drop out because of the career path that I wanted to choose, but they understood where I wanted to put my effort and the commitments towards dancing that I had. They helped me to find that balance and I’m really grateful to them for that,” Ruby said.

“I also had a special relationship with my PLC Dance Teacher, Emily Rooke. She understood the way that I worked. I didn’t enjoy sitting down writing essays. She got that, and she worked with me, my strengths and helped me with my weaknesses at the same time.”

In her final year at PLC, Ruby and her dance partner were crowned the Australian Youth Latin Champions which they then won for two years’ running.

“I was pretty naughty at school, and I got a few detentions from Mrs D’Sylva. I didn’t think she liked me back then, but I’ve seen her copious amounts of times after school and now she loves me,” she said.

Editor’s note: Mrs Philippa D’Sylva was excited to hear she was mentioned by Ruby and says she has ‘always loved Ruby’, regardless of her mischief.

TARTAN NEWS

Robyn Sermon (1990)

The WA Royal Agricultural Society (WARAS) has appointed Robyn Sermon as its first female Chief Executive Officer.

This historic appointment will see her become the first woman to take the reins at the Society which formed in 1831.

According to Robyn, agriculture is a dynamic, innovative industry that requires smart, educated individuals seeking a challenge. And there’s no shortage of diverse individuals interested in working in agriculture.

“It is a great privilege to be appointed to lead an organisation that has been working to promote agriculture in WA for 191 years,” Robyn said.

“Women have always played an integral role in the agriculture sector, and I am looking forward to recognising and celebrating all diversity across this incredible sector.”

When it came to entering the agriculture field, she said her childhood was the catalyst behind her career choice.

“Being from the Wheatbelt region and with farming in my blood, it seemed like a natural fit to combine my passion for regional economic development with my experience in business leadership,” Robyn said.

She added that her strong involvement with the PLC community, stemming in part from her role as Senior Boarder in 1990, has made a large contribution to her success and should not go unrecognised.

“Never underestimate the strength of your PLC network and friends. It has been an important – and fun – part of my career and life journey!” Robyn said.

She plans to use this career opportunity as WARAS CEO to strengthen the future of agriculture across Western Australia.

“The WARAS council has done an enormous amount of work looking to the future of the Society and I am looking forward to bringing this work to fruition,” Robyn said.

“This includes navigating COVID-19 and delivering the Royal Show in 2022, the longer-term redevelopment of the Claremont Showgrounds and growing the promotion of the WA agricultural sector through the development of the Royal Show Food Awards.”

Drawing on her strong focus on working with rural communities, Robyn encourages all students to stay open to working in a regional location, when finding their passion.

“You don’t have to map out a career pathway as things never go quite to plan and some of the best advice I received is to keep your options open. It can help to pursue your interests, even if they change over time, and grab opportunities as they come your way,” Robyn said.

“I am always a big advocate for people in any career to work in a regional location as it gives you a unique experience, and you usually learn a lot more skills in a much shorter time frame.” Nina Kennedy (2014)

Nina has reclaimed the Australian Open Women’s Pole Vault title and secured her ticket to both the World Athletics Championships in Oregon and Commonwealth Games in Birmingham later this year.

The Australian record worked off a shorter run-up to win the title in just five jumps with a best clearance of 4.35m.

Jorja Gammage (2012)

Jorja was recently appointed Stud Manager of one of Australia’s leading Thoroughbred Studs, Dorrington Farm, based in Victoria.

Angela Aroozoo (Wong 1981)

Angela has recently been appointed Chief Legal Counsel and Company Secretary of Sun Cable Pty Ltd. Sun Cable is developing the world’s largest solar farm to deliver electricity to the Northern Territory and Singapore. This power source will be capable of supplying up to 15 per cent of Singapore’s total electricity needs.

Angela, originally from Singapore, attended PLC in 1981 and loved the School and the Perth lifestyle. Angela feels fortunate to be able to “contribute meaningfully to major infrastructure projects that have brought significant development in a number of countries, including Papua New Guinea and Nigeria”.

Angela’s advice is that “it takes a whole team of people from different walks of life to transform a vision - so there is no one path that is right. The world truly is an exciting place - be open to all sorts of opportunities and have fun at it.” Jacqui Swick (2019)

Jacqui is ready for the 2022 World Rowing Cup after being selected for the Australian Rowing Team after just three years in the sport.

The World Rowing Cup will be held in Poznan, Poland, from Thursday 16 June to Sunday 19 June.

Jacqui first represented PLC in rowing at the 2019 IGSSA Head of the River and will now make her national debut.

“Representing Australia on a senior level this early in my rowing career is such an honour and I truly cannot wait,” Jacqui said.

“It wasn’t long ago that I was watching Australia’s success at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and to think that some of those girls are now my teammates is surreal.”

Transitioning from sailing to rowing in 2018, Jacqui’s interest in rowing could be considered relatively late by national standards. Nevertheless, she refused to let this deter her from pursuing the sport to the best of her ability.

“I began rowing at the end of Year 11 with PLC and I spent just as much time swimming as I would rowing, however, the squad welcomed me with open arms and I was ready for nationals six months later,” Jacqui said.

Jacqui was talent identified midway through Year 11, during a Physical Education class that happened to involve the fundamentals of rowing and ergos. With the strong mentorship and encouragement of the PLC Rowing Shed coaches, particularly PLC’s Head Rowing Coach, Mr David Milne, Jacqui was successful in earning a seat in the First VIII for the 2019 IGSSA Head of the River and never looked back.

“Rowing is like riding a bike. Beginning is a daunting experience, but once you get your first few falls out the way, you are good to go!” Jacqui said.

Jacqui hopes her success story inspires more students to chase their dreams, no matter their level of experience.