WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Our goal is to celebrate and facilitate communication and involvement amongst the past and present college community. 

If you win an award or have a success story, we would love to hear from you! Alternatively, if you come across a story about a Thistlelonian, please share it with us. 

You can email us at here or connect with us via our social media accounts.

SARAH AARONS (2012)

I would like to share with you a success story, one of true resilience. It is about ex-McKinnon student, Sarah Aarons from the class of 2012. Sarah was an exceptional student, always embracing opportunities, challenges and celebrations with a smile on her face.

Sarah was an outstanding musician at school, but most importantly, she was kind, humble and caring of others.

Sarah had personal challenges that had a significant impact on her health, but nevertheless, she rose above these challenges to become an internationally recognised and celebrated song writer. A remarkable achievement.

Some of you may follow the triple J hottest 100, announced after Australia Day recently. The 2022 winning song by Flume, “Say Nothing”, was actually co-written by Sarah. An incredible achievement, but not unexpected considering she has already written songs for many international pop stars in the industry.

This is not the first time Sarah has found success. She won the APRA Songwriter of The Year award in 2019 for being the writer behind Maren Morris' breakthrough hit “The Middle”. The same year she was also nominated for a Grammy for Song of The Year.

Success stories like this help inspire us, to keep us motivated to reach for our dreams and to remind us that we can achieve anything we put our minds to, even when beset by challenges.

Well done Sarah, we applaud you!

Michael Kan, Principal

MAYATILI MARIKA (1999)

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met indigenous leaders at the Garma Festival in the Northern Territory where he announced his plans for a referendum for an Indigenous Voice to parliament.

He is shown here with former Australian of the Year Galarrwuy Yunupingu and McKinnon alumni Mayatili Marika. Mayatili is a Yolngu woman and graduated from McKinnon - Class of 1999.

LUCIA ROOHIZADEGAN (2018) 

Congratulations to Lucia Roohizadegan - Class of 2018 - whose art has been selected into the The Centenarian Portrait Project by Teenagers exhibition in Canberra. This exhibition is curated by Embraced, Socially Driven Arts Projects.

This is a fantastic achievement, and we are very proud of Lucia.

ANDREW JEWELL (2004) & JOSS HOLDSWORTH (2008)

Thank you to Andrew Jewell (School Captain, Class of 2004), Joss Holdsworth (Class of 2008 for joining us at McKinnon Secondary College to speak with our Year 10 cohort during our Future Self Seminar.

Andrew Jewell (Class of 2004): Law

Joss Holdworth (Class of 2008): Business Owner - Pulse 8 Gym

YVETTE COPPERSMITH (1998)

Bayside Council has coverted the servant quarters at the rear of Billilla Homestead into basic studios. Artists applied to use the free studios 7 days a week until December 31, 2023. The program provides artists with the opportunity to connect with the local community and to develop their skills without the financial pressure.

Yvette Coppersmith (Class of 98) can be found at Traill Studios. Yvette is highly regarded and won the 2018 Archibald Prize with a self-portrait. She is interested in depicting women and the female gaze.

An actor, playwright, textile artist, surreal and abstract artists and a musician join Yvette in their individual studios at Billilla. 

CHLOE JAMES (2019)

Chloe James, Class of 2019, played the role of Scientist in the production of "The Grumpiest Boy in the World." It was her second role with the Victorian Opera this year! 

Chloe is currently studying an MMus in Opera Performance at the Conservatorium of Music, University of Melbourne. Congratulations Chloe!Read more about Chloe on the Victorian Opera website.