Get to know the success stories of some of our Avondale Alumni and Friends profiles, who share their personal experiences, challenges, and triumphs, offering invaluable perspectives on their career journeys.
What is your current title or role?
Veterinarian.
What company or organisation do you work for?
Edgeworth Animal Medical Centre.
What other industries have you worked in?
I first studied a bachelor of applied science (Equine Science) and worked in the horse breeding/training industry before moving into Veterinary. I spend a short time working as a human dental assistant during a gap year after high school..
What is the most interesting or enjoyable part of your job?
Making a difference to the quality of life for my patients and educating pet parents, enhancing the human animal bond.
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
Don’t be afraid to follow your dreams and go for it. Don’t let others negativity hold you back.
What is your current title or role?
Dentist.
What company or organisation do you work for?
Watagan Dental.
What is the most interesting or enjoyable part of your job?
The variety of different procedures that we perform.
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
To not be afraid to change courses if you find you aren't liking what you are studying.
What is your current title or role?
Doctor, healthcare worker.
What company or organisation do you work for?
District Hunter New England, John Hunter Hospital/Maitland Hospital/Belmont Hospital.
What is the most interesting or enjoyable part of your job?
Watching people recover from acute illnesses and being apart of that journey.
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
There is a guarantee that patience, hard work and persistence will pay off.
What is your current title or role?
Registered nurse.
What company or organisation do you work for?
Warners Bay Private Hospital.
What is the most interesting or enjoyable part of your job?
That there is always something new to see or learn - the human body is so complex and amazing, and there are always new developments in techniques and technologies.
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
You are capable of more than you think - don’t avoid giving something a go because it seems daunting.
What is your current title or role?
Sales, Marketing & Property Development.
What company or organisation do you work for?
Watagan Park.
What other industries have you worked in?
Always in property, but within different sectors including residential, commercial, specialty projects, retirement living, and even utilities. It’s a diverse industry with a lot of different career paths.
What is the most interesting or enjoyable part of your job?
We’re shaping communities that will last for generations. Property is more than just selling houses. It brings together so many different skills and careers. In this industry, you can be a lawyer, a marketer, a salesperson, a builder, an engineer, a planner, an ecologist, or even someone who works in fire safety. There’s something for everyone.
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
At your age, everyone is asking, “What do you want to do?” and the answer usually focuses on a job title. But I’d ask it differently. Do you want to find a job that makes you happy while making money? Or do you want to make money in the fastest, easiest way possible so that you have the time and resources to do what makes you happy? Once you answer that, the next step is figuring out your skills and matching them to an industry. Here’s an example. A friend of mine wanted to be a musician. He spent years trying to make it work, but financially, it wasn’t sustainable. He had a backup plan studying law but felt like that meant "selling out." Eventually, he leaned into law and became an intellectual property lawyer for artists. Now, he works in the music industry, represents musicians, and gets backstage passes to concerts. He found his niche. If you love an industry, don’t just look at the obvious jobs. Find where your skills fit.
What is your current title or role?
Training Coordinator at Mines Rescue NSW.
What company or organisation do you work for?
Newcastle Mines Rescue Station (Argenton).
What other industries have you worked in?
Mining, Open Cut and Underground, Transport, Logistics, Farming Agriculture, Building Construction, Food Manufacturing (Electrician).
What is the most interesting or enjoyable part of your job?
The comradery, teamwork and safety culture you create within the industries you have contact with.
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
Have a go, study. You need to enjoy what you choose as a career, as you will spend a long time doing it. You can also always change careers.
What is your current title or role?
Pilot / Flight Instructor / Flight Examiner.
What company or organisation do you work for?
Various locations - mostly in NSW; Hunter Valley, Mid North Coast, South Coast, Western NSW.
What other industries have you worked in?
School Based Education, University.
What is the most interesting or enjoyable part of your job?
Helping people to achieve life goals about which they are passionate.
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
Don't be afraid to focus and to have a go.
What is your current title or role?
Survivor Support.
What company or organisation do you work for?
SDA Church.
What other industries have you worked in?
Pursued law after finishing school and after practicing for a number of years moved into child protection, now looking at establishing my own consulting firm.
What is the most interesting or enjoyable part of your job?
Working with people from many and varied backgrounds.
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
Find something you love but don't expect that "something" to be the whole job, work hard and opportunities will come.
What is your current title or role?
Medically Retired from NSW Police and the Australian Defence Force. Part time Consultant with Transformance coaching and mentoring leadership and management skills.
What other industries have you worked in?
Sanitarium Engineering Department as an Engineer Mechanic/ Fitter and Machinist- New South Wales Police - Detective (Major crime Investigations)- Riot Police- Water Police- Trail Bike Police- Protection Operations (Dignitary Protection)- Australian Defence Force, Special Operations Command, Commando.- Transformance - Consultant, Coaching and mentoring in Team Leadership and Management.
What is the most interesting or enjoyable part of your job?
The Specialist nature of my role, a job people heavily rely on, a job with exciting challenges in the interest of people's safety and well being.
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
Do the best you can at every stage and aspect of your life. From school, sport, relationships, build skills and learn new things, by doing your best you can achieve great things. Constant efforts yield constant results.
What is your current title or role?
Senior Buyers Agent & Licence in Charge.
What company or organisation do you work for?
Lake Macquarie Buyers Agency.
What other industries have you worked in?
Nutritionist for 10 Years, Executive Sales & Team Manager for 7yrs with Tupperware, and now real estate for 5yrs with my own Buyers Agency.
What is the most interesting or enjoyable part of your job?
Helping clients make confident decisions and achieve their future goals & mentoring our developing agents in this field.
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
Positivity shines ~ eliminate the negative doubt! When you believe you are capable, you will embrace opportunities you never realised possible.
What is your current title or role?
Psychologist, working in private practice.
What company or organisation do you work for?
A mix of work from home and at a private practice in Newcastle.
What other industries have you worked in?
Psychologist in Aboriginal health, gambling counselling, occupational rehab and Defence health.
What is the most interesting or enjoyable part of your job?
It’s an industry where you can keep learning for the rest of your life.
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
Focus on conditions - the right people, the right pay and the right workload make for the best career.
What is your current title or role?
Electrical contractor.
What company or organisation do you work for?
Run my own business - Phil Lindsay Electrical.
What other industries have you worked in?
I was originally a registered nurse.
What is the most interesting or enjoyable part of your job?
I enjoy designing and installing domestic electrical installations that make people’s lives easier and more comfortable.
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
Keep up with the paperwork!
What is your current title or role?
AIN / Studying RNs at Avondale University.
What company or organisation do you work for?
Avondale House / Avondale Uni
What is the most interesting or enjoyable part of your job?
Helping patients with their cares. There is always something to learn.
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
I would say not to take life too seriously. Everything will eventually fall where it's meant to be no matter what pathway you take. Enjoy the journey.
What is your current title or role?
Acting Station Officer Morisset Ambulance.
What company or organisation do you work for?
NSW Ambulance.
What other industries have you worked in?
Carpenter/Construction supervisor.
What is the most interesting or enjoyable part of your job?
Helping someone in need.
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
Enjoy the process.
What is your current title or role?
Flight Attendant.
What company or organisation do you work for?
Qantas.
What is the most interesting or enjoyable part of your job?
Take off and Landings, seeing the world, meeting interesting people.
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
Always back yourself. Don’t overthink things just do it.
What is your current title or role?
Business Owner, Plumber.
What company or organisation do you work for?
LMN Plumbing.
What is the most interesting or enjoyable part of your job?
Problem Solving.
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
Learn the business side of the trade.
What is your current title or role?
Intensive Care Paramedic / Clinical Training Officer.
What company or organisation do you work for?
NSW Ambulance.
What other industries have you worked in?
Originally electronics. Worked for IBM before moving to automotive industry followed by caravan industry, back to automotive and then finally on to pre hospital medical care.
What is the most interesting or enjoyable part of your job?
Variety of work and work environment.
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
Do not stress too much about where you need to be. Life has a plan for you and in time that will become clear. The most important thing is to do your best at what you are doing now. Opportunity will follow when the time is right and do not ever be afraid to step into the unknown and learn..
What is your current title or role?
Field Sales Manager NSW - Rhythm Solutions.
What company or organisation do you work for?
Boston Scientific.
What other industries have you worked in?
When I left school, I didn’t have a clear career plan and worked in a few different roles, including as a laboratory technician at Sanitarium. That experience helped build my interest in science and problem‑solving.I later decided to study a Bachelor of Nursing at Avondale University and worked as a nurse in the cardiac catheter laboratory and intensive care unit. While working in cardiac care, I became interested in the technology used to treat heart conditions, which led me into the medical device industry with Boston Scientific as a Clinical Specialist in Cardiac Rhythm Management, working with pacemakers and defibrillators.Since then, my career has progressed into leadership roles, moving from Clinical Specialist to Territory Manager, and now to my current role as Field Sales Manager in New South Wales for Rhythm Solutions. In this role, I oversee electrophysiology technologies used to diagnose and treat cardiac arrhythmias and lead the NSW team.
What is the most interesting or enjoyable part of your job?
What I enjoy most about my job is helping people. I work closely with doctors and nurses in the clinical setting, providing support during procedures and helping with patient follow‑up, so I can see the impact on patient care firsthand.
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
I’d remind myself that it’s okay not to have a clear plan. Every job and experience teaches you something, even if it’s not where you end up. Stay curious, work hard, and trust that the right path will become clearer over time.
What is your current title or role?
Lecturer / Executive Director.
What company or organisation do you work for?
Newcastle University / LQ Training (self employed).
What other industries have you worked in?
When I left school I wanted to work in business broadly, I started my career as a charted accountant practicing as a financial auditor for 10 years. From there I did a MBA to pivot out of a technical role and founded LukBook a fashion company focusing on woman's fashion sized 14+. From there I became a lecturer in leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship. I now also have my own business teaching leadership skills to school students.
What is the most interesting or enjoyable part of your job?
Inspiring, motivating and coaching young people. Connecting with young people and helping their dreams come true.
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
Prioritise self care and balance. Life is a marathon, not a sprint.
What is your current title or role?
Land & Asset Management Graduate.
What company or organisation do you work for?
NSW Government - Crown Lands & Public Spaces.
What other industries have you worked in?
I initially studied speech pathology, before moving sideways into a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics. While studying, I began working in the Careers advice team, before then becoming a Student Development Specialist, managing a host of student employees in the student accommodation. Since graduating from linguistics, I’ve been working in Land & Asset Management for the state government (so there’s been a few different career changes in a short time!).
What is the most interesting or enjoyable part of your job?
The people (working with all sorts of people from all over the state) and the site visits, getting to see all sorts of places and understand how the government maintains them.
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
Don’t stress about what comes next. Changes can happen so fast, and if you keep working hard, opportunities will pop up in places that you never expected.
What is your current title or role?
Pre-Service / Primary School Teacher.
What company or organisation do you work for?
Avondale School / Avondale University.
What is the most interesting or enjoyable part of your job?
Spending time with students and have the opportunity to teach them and guide through their learning.
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
Don't let the moments of weakness discourage you, move forward and understand that this is only way of growing.
Check out some more Avondale School alumni stories in our series Real Life.
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