Where are they Now?

Maddy Friend (2008)

Since graduating from Sacré Cœur in 2008, I’ve had a number of wonderful experiences and opportunities.

After studying a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree at Monash, I was fortunate enough to be selected for a Graduate Program in the Department of Defence in Canberra. In my time at Defence, I’ve worked in a variety of policy areas, met some fantastic people, and been given opportunities I’d never have otherwise received, including touring Defence bases throughout New South Wales.

I was also fortunate to spend a year working overseas, at the Australian Consulate-General in New Caledonia. This allowed me to use my French language skills (which I started learning in  Sacré Cœur's Joigny way back in 2000!) and experience living overseas.

The values instilled in me at Sacré Cœur- treating others with respect; and the importance of education, community, and personal development - are ones I have carried with me in my career thus far.

Jess Southey (2010)

Pictured above : Rebekah Malin (2010), Jess Southey (2010), Tanya Southey and Anthony Harb 

Jess Southey was a student of  Sacré Cœur from 1998-2010. She is currently working full time as an artist/illustrator in Melbourne. Her work primarily focuses on portraiture and pop culture working with mediums such as graphite, watercolour, oils and gouache. Jess’ work can be viewed here. For commission information please make contact via email. 

Tanya Southey, Jess' mother,  is a Melbourne based author. She grew up in South Africa before moving to Australia in 1997.  Tanya has always loved reading, writing and telling stories, however, up until recently she spent most of her life in corporations.  Her favourite time of the week as a child, was when the library bus would rumble into her sleepy suburb.  Rain or shine, she needed to be first in line to get on the bus and borrow as many Enid Blyton books as possible!

Ollie and the Starchaser is a children’s book illustrated by Sacré Coeur alumna Jess Southey and written by her mother Tanya Southey.

Ollie and the Starchaser is an adventure story set in Broome, Australia for children aged 8 to 12.

Nanoo is Ollie’s beloved grandmother and an astronomer who discovered the planet Terenza, in a gentle galaxy east of the moon. When Nanoo disappears on a trip to the Outback, Ollie cannot accept that she is gone. He is worried, sad and refuses to believe that Nanoo would leave him. He feels helpless sitting around on his farm with only his faithful Labrador, Chloe, to listen to his feelings. However, his luck changes when the Starchaser and his Star-fordshire Terrier, Buddy, plot a way to get to Earth from Terenza. The boys and their dogs begin an epic adventure to find Nanoo. Their journey takes them across the Outback, up the Steps to the Moon and into space. But will Ollie find her, and will he bring her home?

Copies of the book can be purchased directly with the option to have them signed. A copy is also available in the Sacré Cœur library!