ALUMNI NEWS

Julie Elkin

Ourschool Alumni Program Coordinator

It’s been a busy few weeks in the Alumni Program at the College. On 10th May, the Year 12 Accounting class welcomed Ben Walters (2005) to talk about his journey since leaving NGSC. Ben is the Finance Manager at the Kardinia Park Stadium Trust. He spoke of the importance of learning all you can from those around you, to ask questions and seek help. He mentioned, as many other alum have done, how important it is to grasp all opportunities presented. Ben also said how crucial it is that people see you as trustworthy and having integrity in all that you do. The students asked some interesting questions and the teacher reported they ‘returned to the classroom buzzing’. Unfortunately, David Posterino (2003) was unable to attend due to illness, however we hope to catch up with him soon. 

Thanks, Ben, for giving back to NGSC.

On Tuesday 21st May, Ben Riddle and Matt Plunkett (both 1994) from Buxton Real Estate attended to speak with two (large) groups of students – a huge ask which was handled with aplomb! Year 10 Maths C students were the first audience and VCE Vocational Major Personal Development Studies classes were the second audience.

These groups were informed about the respective pathways of both alum. Ben had an ambition to be a professional basketball player, and did manage several games in the NBL, and played for several years with the Supercats, but then the pathway was lost as the licence for a Geelong team was sold. At the same time as playing basketball, Ben also studied a Commerce degree at Deakin Uni. Ben mentioned how he probably didn’t give either pursuit the commitment they deserved. During his degree study, he came across real estate and has never looked back. He is a Director of Buxton Real Estate and is part of a group that has recently bought the licence to a WNBL team. He sees this as a great opportunity to promote basketball, a sport he is passionate about, in Geelong. 

Ben’s overwhelming message was that of standing out from others – how can I get the job against other applicants, how can I gain the rental property I want when it is so competitive and, with AI, all applications look the same! He emphasised the importance of taking responsibility for your actions, and to be proactive – get out there personally, rather than just relying on an email. He stressed how important it was to develop a good work ethic and possess grit and resilience. If you spend time with people that interest you, and learn all you can from them, pathways can open up – so get out there and give things a go!

Matt’s ambition during secondary schooling was to enter the police force. Back then, you had to finish VCE to gain entry to the Academy, so he plugged away, even though it was not his favourite thing to do. Unfortunately, he underwent a knee operation after leaving school, so that delayed his entry to the Academy until he was around 23 years of age. Matt spent 10 years in the police force, in Colac, Melbourne and Geelong. 

As a consequence of complications in his role in the drug squad, Matt took some leave and did some work with Ben – they have been friends since secondary school. He found that he was well suited to the real estate industry and, in what he said was the hardest decision he has had to make, resigned from the police force. He is also now a Director of Buxton Real Estate. 

Matt’s message was also one of hard work and determination. He wasn’t really into VCE, but finished it as he had a goal. His score was not great, so he had to work harder in the 

Academy and through his early placements to be noticed so that he could achieve his dream of becoming a detective. Matt also emphasised the need to grasp opportunities as they come. 

Both alum reiterated how possessing a good work ethic, willingness to have a go, and being polite, well-mannered and trustworthy went a long way with employers and in life in general. 

We thank both Ben and Matt for giving up time in their very busy work life – there was something like 50 missed calls and many emails and messages to attend to at the end of their talk and school tour!

To cap off a busy Tuesday 21st May, Haisong Qi (2023) ran a study tips session for interested year 11 and 12 students. He showed them how to set up a study calendar and to-do list, techniques that he found helpful during his final VCE years. Thanks to Haisong, for once again giving up your lunchtime to help others!