Flashback Friday

Name: Tarsha Gavin

Year graduated: 2005

My time at Cecil Hills High School

I have fond memories of my time at Cecil Hills HS. I was fortunate to be selected as School Captain in Year 12 and had some great opportunities to represent the school at community and inter-school events. I also really enjoyed being a member of the SRC and representing the school in debating, public speaking and mock trial competitions.

I also have fond memories of our teachers and the dedication and enthusiasm that they showed to helping their students succeed. Looking back 16 years later, there are still so many teachers who have had a lasting impact, like Mr Alfonsi who boosted my confidence in Maths, Ms Fluke who made Economics entertaining, and Dr Schulz's Extension English classes which gave me a great insight into the academic rigor to expect at university. 

After Cecil Hills

Once I finished high school, I went on to complete a combined Bachelor of Laws & Bachelor of Economic and Social Sciences (Hons) degree at the University of Sydney. During my studies I completed an Honours thesis in Government and International Relations, where I undertook in-depth research on community consultation about public housing estate reforms in South-West Sydney. 

During university I also worked for the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption and spent some time as a debating and public speaking adjudicator at local high schools and primary schools.  For a number of years I was also involved in youth advocacy work, and was a member of youth advisory boards for the Australian Government, NSW Government and the Red Cross. 

Where am I now?

In the final year of my law degree I applied for a summer clerkship at Allens Linklaters, an international corporate law firm. I really enjoyed my time there and was offered a role as a graduate lawyer. I was formally admitted as a lawyer in NSW in 2012, and have now been at Allens for almost 10 years. 

I am currently a Managing Associate where I help lead the firm's Employment & Safety practice. I advise a range of companies like Mirvac, Astra Zeneca, NBN, and also Governments, on how they can manage employment law issues.  Recently, I have specialised in helping large companies deal with wage underpayment issues, which have become very prevalent in the media. I have also been assisting employers to navigate the impact of COVID-19 on their workforces. It can be busy work, but it has been rewarding to help our clients solve the complex and reputationally significant issues that they face.

Lasting friendships

One of the lasting legacies from my time at Cecil Hills has been the wonderful group of friends that I made there and have kept since. 

I married my husband in January 2020 (luckily just before COVID hit our shores!) and it was so special to have my friends from Cecil Hills there to celebrate (see photo below). 

We've grown so much and have ended up in so many different places - between us we have a lawyer, doctor, nurse, event coordinator, sustainability manager, finance manager, trainer, teacher, HR leader and pastry chef!  But every time we catch up it only takes a few minutes to feel like we are back sitting in our usual spot in the TAS Quad chatting at lunchtime. 

It has been great to see others in our cohort also still keeping in touch. We held our 10 year reunion  in 2015 and it was wonderful to see so many people attend and reconnect. 

My advice to current students is to hold on to your school friends, because they can really become your friends for life! 

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Cecil Hills High School on 25 years! I  am very proud to be an alumnus of the school, and look forward to seeing the school and its students continue to prosper. 

Tarsha Gavin

Graduating Class of 2005