Alumni Program News

Fair Work Commissioner Michelle Bissett ’75 returns to MFG

Unit 2 Legal Studies and Year 12 VCAL students recently had the privilege of participating in a Q&A session with 1975 alumna, Commissioner Michelle Bissett from the Fair Work Commission.

The purpose of this session was to hear about Michelle’s time at MFG, her post-secondary school pathway and her work and role at the Fair Work Commission.

Michelle was astounded by the ‘insightful’ questions that the students devised and then asked her throughout the session. Students wanted to hear about why the Fair Work Commission is needed, Michelle’s role at the commission, the highs, lows and importance of her job, how her role has impacted on her personal views/life, who makes the most of the commission, the impact of technological advances at the commission, the issue of equal pay and so much more! It was so good to see students absolutely soaking up Michelle’s eloquent responses.

Despite loving her years at MFG, Michelle has not had the opportunity to return since graduating in 1975. It was so nice to show her around the grounds, especially with the recent refurbishment of the Embling Wing which was constructed when she was a student at the college. In fact, the building was named after Doris Embling, who was the principal at the time.

Michelle believes Doris Embling turned the school around and remembers her for encouraging students to believe in themselves and to “do what they [we] wanted to do and they [we] could be good at it.” Michelle also spoke about how Doris “went in to bat for her [me]” to attend night school in order to complete a unit of Maths that was not offered at MFG. Apparently you could only attend night school if you attended one of the other Geelong schools, however Doris ensured an exception was made to this rule. Doris also organised for one of the teachers at MFG to be Michelle’s Maths tutor. Michelle went on to study a Bachelor of Science at Melbourne University and still holds a passion for Maths and Science to this day.

Michelle informed us that, as a student, she was never allowed to walk on the parquetry floors at the entrance of the old building so we relished the opportunity to allow her to do this during the tour. We also visited the bell tower where Year 12 students would traditionally ring the bell upon graduating – for some reason this tradition ceased when Michelle was in Year 12. If only the bell was still in working order!!

When we asked Michelle our concluding question, ‘What advice would you give your teenage self?’ she responded with, “You don’t need to know everything.” Michelle explained that it is okay if you don’t know everything and stressed the importance of utilising the people that surround you, to ask questions and to learn from others in order to grow.

We are so grateful for Michelle taking the time out of her busy schedule to return to MFG and look forward to welcoming her back again in the future.

If you are an alumna of MFG and have not yet reached out, please send an email to alumni@mfgsc.vic.edu.au and let us know what you have been up to since graduating.

Tanja Dunat Timms

(Ourschool Alumni Program Manager)