ALUMNI NEWS

Tanja Dunat Timms

Ourschool Alumni Program Manager

1996 Alumna, Dr Yolanda Esteban addresses the class of 2022

1996 alumna, Dr Yolanda Esteban, has returned to North Geelong Secondary College on three occasions this year: once to participate in a Q&A with Year 12 Visual Communication and Design students, once to attend Multicultural Day and a final time to be our guest speaker at the Year 12 Valedictory last week. At the Valedictory dinner, Yolanda shared her story. The class of 2022 learned that during secondary school, Yolanda wasn’t necessarily the best at every subject. However, they also learned that what she may have lacked in natural ability, she made up for in determination; never giving up and working hard. 

Yolanda is a Senior Lecturer in Architecture at Deakin University’s School of Architecture and Built Environment. After graduating from North Geelong Secondary College in 1996, she completed her Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Building double-degree with honours at Deakin University in 2002 and Doctor of Philosophy in 2017.

Over the past decade, Yolanda has developed an extensive teaching expertise across architecture and urban design disciplines, engaging actively with local government and immersing her students in real-world projects. She currently holds advisory positions for the Geelong Design Week and Geelong UNESCO City of Design portfolios with the City of Greater Geelong, as well as the Clean Tech Innovations Geelong Board. 

Yolanda is a passionate advocate for design in Geelong and is actively working towards building stronger School Outreach programs between Deakin University and the local community. Yolanda explained that her career dream came true, but not in the way she had imagined it would as a secondary school student. Her advice to students was to devise a plan for the next five years, take risks and make the most of opportunities to reap the benefits. 

Finally, Yolanda encouraged students to balance the challenges with opportunities and to be disciplined and believe they can do whatever they set their minds to. 

Thank you, Dr Yolanda Esteban for giving back to your old school on multiple occasions this year and for sharing your wisdom with our latest group of North Geelong Secondary College alumni. We look forward to welcoming you back again in future.

If you are an alumna of North Geelong Secondary College and have not yet reached out, we’d love to hear from you. Please email our Alumni Program Manager: Tanja Dunat Timms alumni@ngsc.com.au