ALUMNI Program

Year 10's Gain Career Inspiration from Alumni at Insightful Careers Session

On Wednesday, 28th May, our Year 10 Careers students had the unique opportunity to engage with a panel of inspiring alumni during the Alumni Career Insight Session. Held in S3, the 50-minute session brought together former students from a range of graduating years and career paths, offering a rich tapestry of experiences and advice.

The session featured:
Emma Harper (Class of 2011) – Industrial and Employment Lawyer at Slater and Gordon
Alannah Baguley (Class of 2022) – Nursing student at The Gordon TAFE
Niall Waring (Class of 1993) – Former Senior Sergeant at Victoria Police, now with Community Transport
Jeremy Nash (Class of 1996) – CEO of John Cotton, Australia’s largest pillow and quilt manufacturer
Grace Griffiths (Class of 2001) – Family Violence Case Manager
Brooke Winzer (Class of 2001) – Massage Therapist and former Physiotherapist

The students were attentive and engaged, asking thoughtful and sometimes bold questions—including one curious inquiry to CEO Jeremy Nash about his annual salary! That moment sparked laughter and perhaps even a few new CEO aspirations among the group.

Throughout the session, alumni shared their personal journeys, insights into their daily work, and valuable advice on navigating studies, stress, and career planning. The students were particularly interested in the diverse paths each speaker had taken, highlighting that success can come from many directions.

The session concluded with student leaders presenting thank-you gifts to the guests, followed by group photos. During morning tea in the staff room, alumni enjoyed reconnecting with one another and reminiscing over old yearbooks.
Special thanks to Lee Unwin and Michelle Wilson for their help in organising the session and ensuring everything ran smoothly.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the alumni who generously gave their time and wisdom. Their stories not only informed but truly inspired our Year 10s to think boldly about their futures.

Megan De Fazio
Alumni Co-ordinator

Alumni Spotlight: Share Your Journey!

Do you have an inspiring story to share? We would love to feature you in our Alumni Spotlight! Whether you’ve reached career milestones, started your own business, or simply want to share what you’ve been up to, your experience can help inspire others. Reach out to us at alumni@whs.vic.edu.au to share your journey.

Our Wangaratta High School Alumni Facebook page is now live!

Please follow and share the Alumni Facebook page with anyone you think would be suitable for the alumni program. Click on the logo below to check out our page!

Join the Alumni Program!

Do you, or someone you know, want to join the Wangaratta High School Alumni Program? By joining the program, you can stay updated on school events, reconnect with old friends and teachers, and even help inspire the next generation of Wangaratta High School students.

To join our alumni community and get involved, please complete the form on our webpage https://www.whs.vic.edu.au/alumni/ or email us at alumni@whs.vic.edu.au with your contact details, and Megan De Fazio will be in touch with you.

Stay tuned for more updates and events as we continue to grow and strengthen our alumni network!