Alumni

Erin Gatti graduated from Good Counsel College in 2006 and now works as a Community Pharmacist with Chemist Warehouse. In this role, she manages the daily operations of the pharmacy, dispenses prescriptions, completes administrative tasks, and supports customers with their health needs.

Erin studied at James Cook University, first enrolling in a Science degree at the Cairns campus. Although she enjoyed her studies, she didn’t feel drawn to the career opportunities in that field. Encouraged by her grandmother to take the first step into university life, she later transferred into Pharmacy—a decision that aligned with her strengths and opened the door to a rewarding career.

What Erin enjoys most about pharmacy is its flexibility, particularly as she balances work with raising young children. She also appreciates the variety of regional work available, which allows her to practise her profession without being tied to a city. While managing staffing challenges and difficult customers can be tough, experience has made these aspects easier over time.

Erin encourages students to consider Pharmacy as a career, describing it as a field with strong job security, no matter where you live. She continues to find joy in her work and values the balance it brings to her life.

Personally and professionally, Erin is proud of where she is today. Alongside her pharmacy work, she and her husband run a cane farming business—something they’ve built through hard work and determination. She considers her greatest achievements to be raising a healthy family and maintaining strong friendships with the girls she went to school with.

In her free time, Erin enjoys life on the farm, often spending afternoons with her children exploring the property in the buggy or fishing in the river. She fondly remembers her time at Good Counsel College, especially the friendships she formed and the social atmosphere. A special memory? The much-loved chicken salad rolls from the Tuckshop. She recalls Mr Keenan as kind and approachable, and Mr Larsen as supportive and caring—both leaving a lasting impression on her school years.

Evan Ward, GCC student from 2015 to 2019 and College Captain in 2019, graduated from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Brisbane, with First Class Honours.

Evan took dual majors in Mechanical Engineering and Medical Engineering, and while studying worked as an undergraduate engineer on Brisbane’s Cross River Rail project.

Evan is now employed as a Mechanical Engineer with Ampol at Brisbane’s Lytton Oil Refinery, which processes some six billion litres of crude oil annually and over 60% of Queensland’s total domestic and commercial fuel requirements.

Well done Evan – you continue to make our GCC community proud!

Cecilia Robertson graduated from Good Counsel College in 2008 and is now an Arts Teacher in Townsville, specialising in Music, Visual Arts, and Drama. In her role, she inspires students through creativity and helps them explore their potential in the arts.

Cecilia holds a Bachelor of Education from the Australian Catholic University. Her journey into teaching was inspired by her love for working with students and her belief in the universal nature of communication through music, art, and drama. Initially drawn to dietetics due to her interest in health and nutrition, she ultimately chose education to guide children in leading healthy, creative lives. Her passion for drawing, music, and drama made this career path a natural fit.

She finds immense joy in sparking inspiration through the arts and seeing her students grow and thrive creatively. However, her journey hasn’t been without its challenges, including navigating limited opportunities and periods of low motivation. Despite these obstacles, her resilience and determination have allowed her to overcome setbacks and continue making a positive impact.

Cecilia encourages students to embrace their choices, quoting the wise words of Albus Dumbledore: "It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." She reminds aspiring educators and creatives that every journey is unique and worth pursuing, with each goal offering a meaningful step forward.

Graduating from both secondary and tertiary education stands out as one of Cecilia’s greatest achievements, along with her growth as a person—physically, mentally, and emotionally. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, cooking, traveling, drawing, and exploring nature. She also loves crafting, listening to music, reading, and immersing herself in theatre.

Cecilia fondly remembers the first and last days of each school year at Good Counsel College and she holds a deep appreciation for all her teachers, valuing the unique quirks and expertise they brought to her education.

Grace graduated in 2024 from the University of Queensland with First Class Honours in Politics, Economics, and Philosophy—a remarkable achievement that reflects her hard work and dedication.

In 2019, Grace took a Gap Year to work with Bob Katter’s office, gaining valuable experience in public service before beginning her university studies in 2020, navigating the challenges of COVID with resilience and determination.

Grace’s journey continues as she embarks on the Policy Futures Graduate Program with the Department of Premier and Cabinet. Participants in this prestigious program explore a range of opportunities to discover their purpose, unleash their potential, and contribute to creating a better Queensland. Grace will undertake three rotations across various Queensland Government departments, gaining invaluable exposure to diverse and complex policy environments. This program provides the freedom  for Grace to explore her own interests while learning from experts in the field.

We are incredibly proud of Grace and look forward to the positive impact she will undoubtedly make in the future. Congratulations, Grace!

Zane Squarci, a 2009 graduate of Good Counsel College, is a veterinarian and co-owner at Tropical Vets, Innisfail. He earned his Bachelor of Veterinary Science from James Cook University in Townsville. Growing up on a small farm in Innisfail with medically trained parents, Zane developed a passion for caring for animals from a young age, which led him to pursue a career in veterinary science.

Zane enjoys the diversity of his work, which involves helping a wide variety of animals and their owners. He has faced several challenges, including business ownership, but has also achieved significant accomplishments. These include graduating from vet school, becoming a business owner, starting a cattle stud, owning a farm, and raising two beautiful children.

In his free time, Zane enjoys spending time with his young family and managing his Red Brangus cattle stud. His fondest memories of Good Counsel College include participating in science experiments. He recalls many supportive teachers, with Mr Hendle and Mr Ellison standing out as particularly influential.

Aimee Russo, a 2016 graduate of Good Counsel College, is currently an Occupational Therapist (OT) and Team Leader at National 360 Cairns. She earned her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) from James Cook University in Townsville. With a family background in healthcare and inspiration from a cousin who is also an OT, Aimee solidified her career choice after attending an open day at JCU during Grade 12.

In her current role, Aimee enjoys supporting individuals, particularly those with mental health challenges, to live independently and achieve their daily goals. One of her biggest challenges has been building confidence in her roles as both a therapist and a leader. However, at just three and a half years into her career, she now manages a team of 5-10 allied health professionals and provides clinical mentorship and supervision to other occupational therapists within her company. Aimee is proud of her professional growth and is excited about her future career prospects.

Outside of work, Aimee enjoys attending pilates and jazz dance classes, sewing, and spending time with family and friends. Reflecting on her time at Good Counsel College, her fondest memories include school camps, forming lasting friendships, and participating in business day activities. She credits her favourite teachers—Mrs Keenan, Ms Kreis, Mrs Mead, and Mr Mitchell—for their support in her learning and development. Aimee advises students aspiring to follow a similar career path to reach out to professionals in the field, ask questions, and attend university open days to gather more information.

Lacey Battiato, a 2016 graduate of Good Counsel College, is currently a high school teacher at Ipswich State High School, where she teaches Media Arts, Film, TV, New Media, and English. She holds a Bachelor of Creative Industries and a Masters of Teaching (Secondary) from the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane. Initially unsure of her career path, Lacey chose to study Creative Industries and later decided to use her skills to inspire the next generation as a teacher, influenced by her own teachers, Mrs Snodgrass and Ms Todd. Lacey finds great joy in building rapport with her students and witnessing their confidence in the arts grow, particularly through their pride in their creative productions. Despite the challenge of student apathy, she views these moments as opportunities for growth. Completing her Master's degree stands out as her greatest accomplishment. In her free time, she enjoys reading books as a way to relax and escape reality. Reflecting on her time at Good Counsel College, her fondest memory is the flash mob she participated in for a year 10 drama assignment, and she fondly remembers Mrs Snodgrass as her favourite teacher, who always set her up for success and made her feel safe in class.

Amy-Leigh graduated from Good Counsel College in 2023. Reflecting on her time at GCC, she fondly remembers the vibrant end-of-year celebrations, particularly Christmas dress day and the Good Friday assembly. These events were highlights of her school experience, bringing the community together in joyful and meaningful ways.

A standout memory for Amy-Leigh involves her favourite teacher, Mrs Goodes. In Grade 7, Amy-Leigh often found herself in need of support, and Mrs Goodes stepped in with unwavering kindness and care. She acted like a school mother to Amy-Leigh, providing the comfort and assistance she needed during challenging times. This nurturing relationship left a lasting impact on Amy-Leigh and is something she deeply appreciates to this day.

Currently, Amy-Leigh is focusing on spending quality time with her family, an activity she holds dear. Although she hasn't yet started her professional journey or pursued further education, she has a clear and inspiring piece of advice for current students: follow your dreams. This simple yet powerful message reflects her belief in the importance of pursuing one's passions and aspirations.

Amy-Leigh's story is a testament to the supportive and caring environment at Good Counsel College, where teachers like Mrs Goodes make a significant difference in students' lives. Her memories and experiences continue to shape her outlook and aspirations as she looks towards the future.

Peter Albion is Professor Emeritus, having retired in December 2017 from the University of Southern Queensland where he served as a Professor of Educational Technology. Over the course of his distinguished career, he has made significant contributions to both secondary education and higher academia.

Peter holds an impressive array of qualifications including a BAppSc from DDIAE, a DipEd, MSc, and BEdSt from Queensland, a GDipREd from McAuley College, a GDipEdAdm from Brisbane CAE, a GDipAppComp from CIAE, and a PhD from the University of Southern Queensland.

His journey into education began with a teaching fellowship upon completing secondary schooling in 1966, driven by his ambition to become a science teacher. This early decision set the stage for a lifelong dedication to education, both as a teacher and an academic.

During his career, Peter has undertaken key roles such as guiding two Catholic secondary schools (Kingaroy and Innisfail) through their transition to fully lay-staffed institutions. Transitioning to academia at the University of Southern Queensland was another significant milestone, culminating in his appointment as a professor.

Peter’s advice to aspiring educators is to believe in themselves, seize opportunities as they arise, and commit to lifelong learning. His greatest accomplishments include successfully leading two Catholic schools through major transitions and achieving a professorship at the University of Southern Queensland.

In retirement, Peter enjoys a more relaxed lifestyle, indulging in his passions for travel and photography. His travel experiences can be followed on his blog [Pama Travel](https://pamatravel.albion.id.au), and his photography can be viewed on [Flickr](https://www.flickr.com/photos/palbion/).

Among his fondest memories from his time at Good Counsel College is leading the transition from a religious principal to a lay principal and extending the school from grades 8-10 to 8-12. While he chooses not to single out a favorite teacher, he holds deep respect for all his colleagues, appreciating their dedication to the students and the school.

I graduated from Good Counsel College in 2019 and am currently a Stakeholder Communications and Engagement Officer at Cassowary Coast Regional Council. In this role, I work alongside project managers and Council staff on major revitalisation projects and minor community project initiatives. I liaise and communicate with community members, stakeholders, businesses, and contractors impacted by projects or Council initiatives, supporting them through the process and mitigating any issues. Additionally, I plan and implement engagement methods during community consultation sessions and manage the Your Say website.

After leaving school, I completed a diploma in Business with TAFE Qld and began a traineeship at the Council in Business. My experience as a project support officer at the Council made me realise that I wanted a more face-to-face role. I love engaging with and helping people, so when a development opportunity arose, I applied for it and was successful.

What I enjoy most about my career is the opportunity to grow within my own region and hometown. It is rewarding to see projects progress through all stages and witness the community using new facilities and infrastructure with smiles on their faces. Building lasting relationships with people is a key part of my role.

Working at the Council has its challenges, especially with the community’s perspective on our work, which can sometimes lead to backlash. My advice to students aspiring to follow a similar career path is to take every opportunity that comes your way and be okay with starting at the bottom and working your way up. Success will follow if you put your mind to it, just as it did for me, progressing from a trainee to an Engagement Officer in four years.

Since leaving school, I have been an active community member, serving on the first Youth Advisory Committee, being named Young Citizen of the Year 2024, and being crowned Miss Riverfest Queen 2023. Personally, I am proud of my achievements outside of school. Professionally, one of my greatest accomplishments was acting as the supervisor of a team of six at the Cassowary Coast Regional Council for 11 months at the age of 20.

In my free time, I love playing netball and exploring the outdoors with friends and family. I'm always up for an adventure! My fondest memory from Good Counsel College was receiving the Vocational Education Student of the Year award in 2019 after completing several certificates in a range of fields. Mrs Dolan was my favorite teacher because she always saw the best in every student and pushed us to be the best version of ourselves.

I am a Teacher Aide at Innisfail State College, where I work exclusively with Year 11 and 12 students in the senior schooling department. I manage students completing distance education and support at-risk students to ensure they achieve their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE). My journey into education began with a Cert III in Education Support, and I am currently 12 months away from completing a Bachelor of Secondary Education, majoring in Music and Religion & Ethics. Becoming a teacher aide was a natural step towards my goal of becoming a teacher, allowing me to build the necessary knowledge and skills to support my teaching studies.

I find great fulfillment in my role, especially in helping at-risk students succeed in their senior years. Balancing work, study, and family life has been challenging, particularly as a mature-aged student and parent, but with the support of my coworkers, husband, and family, I have successfully navigated these challenges and emerged stronger. I advise aspiring educators that it is okay not to go to university straight after school and to explore different careers before finding their true passion.

Personally, my greatest accomplishments include my son, Tallon, and the wonderful life my husband and I have created in Innisfail, including buying our dream home and providing an amazing childhood for our son. Professionally, I successfully established and ran a small business, Makeup By Ellen, as a makeup artist in Far North Queensland and interstate for over 10 years before focusing on my education and teaching career. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, and enjoying the outdoors.

My fondest memories of Good Counsel College include performing in school musicals, and singing/playing piano at school masses, liturgies, and assemblies, as well as the Feast Day celebrations and maintaining lifelong friendships. Two teachers, Justin Tonti and Paul Keenan, had a significant impact on me. Justin nurtured my passion for music and inspired me to learn new instruments, solidifying my desire to become a secondary music teacher. Paul sparked my interest in Catholicism and world religions, inspiring me to major in Religion & Ethics. Both teachers treated students with respect and held them to high standards, qualities I aspire to embody as a teacher.

I graduated from Good Counsel College in 2010, and I am currently a High School Teacher specialising in Health and Physical Education (HPE) at Cairns State High School. I obtained my degree from the University of Southern Queensland. My interest in this field was sparked by a teacher during my school years, which led me to pursue a career in education.

The most rewarding aspect of my job is educating the youth and forming bonds that endure over the years. I find it incredibly fulfilling to make a lasting impact on my students' lives. One of the biggest challenges I face is the desire to do even more to assist students with their educational outcomes, constantly striving to provide the best support possible.

For those aspiring to follow a similar career path, I wholeheartedly recommend it. Teaching is a wholesome and rewarding field of work, offering a deep sense of fulfillment. My greatest accomplishments include becoming a teacher, following my dreams, and creating a beautiful family.

In my free time, I enjoy going to the gym, playing soccer, and spending quality time with my family. My fondest memory from Good Counsel College is graduating with my cohort and having the best teachers during that time. Among them, Matthew Jahnke stands out as my favorite teacher. He was a fantastic educator who differentiated his teaching to suit our needs, making learning fun and relatable.

I graduated from Good Counsel College in 1984. Currently, I work as an Administration Officer in Allied Health at the Innisfail Hospital, where I handle administration and reception duties for Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Social Work, and Dietetics. I did not pursue a degree or technical training, but I transitioned from a 13-year career in banking to my current role. I enjoy the flexibility, the great team of staff, and the excellent benefits my job offers. I haven't faced any significant career challenges beyond balancing work and home life. My advice to young people is to work hard while they are young and single, as it is easier to manage. My greatest accomplishment is successfully raising a family while working. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, gardening, and fishing. My fondest memory of Good Counsel College is participating in sports day, and my favorite teacher was Mr. McCarroll.

After graduating in 2013, I dove straight into the study of a Bachelor of Primary Education at JCU. I completed my first two years in Townsville then travelled by myself to Japan and fell in love with the culture and language. I then went on to start studying Japanese at a night school. My third year of university I chose to transfer to Cairns. I’m so happy I made the choice to move. I love the relaxed, casual atmosphere in Cairns and there were many more opportunities for jobs. While studying I worked a variety of part-time jobs which I really enjoyed. I met so many amazing people and really grew as a person working for a tour company, teaching English to overseas students and as a student representative at JCU. This also grew my confidence and my wallet to travel more and see many other incredible countries. Graduating from my degree in 2017, I then went onto teach year 4 and special needs at one of the best state schools in Cairns. I gained much insight into different areas of education. My second year out of university I gained a permanent position at Freshwater Christian College which has been rated one of the top schools in Queensland. I taught Primary Japanese as well as Year 5 last year. This year I am continuing at the same school as a Year 6 and Primary Japanese Teacher. I am eager for the exciting year ahead where we are taking some of the high school and year 6 students to Japan. Teaching can be very challenging, however, I love my job and the children and wouldn’t change it for the world!

I graduated from GCC in 2015 and went on to study Bachelor of Medical Imaging (Honours) at the Queensland University of Technology (2016-2019). I got the opportunity to learn from the professionals at some of the major hospitals and clinics in Brisbane and Cairns, as part of my degree.

I am currently working at The Prince Charles Hospital (TPCH) as a radiographer and have loved every second of it so far. As a new graduate radiographer, my role involves general and emergency x-ray, intra-operative imaging in surgical procedures and portable imaging in ICU, wards and the currently segregated COVID-19 areas in the emergency department for the patients who are unable to be brought in to the department. I am also currently training in informatics (PACS) which involves the more behind the scenes work by managing the background difficulties that occur in the imaging storage system as well as general technical difficulties in both imaging and reporting departments.

I love facing challenging and complex situations everyday for learning purposes and am looking forward to building on my experience and growing my career within healthcare.

Following my graduation from GCC in 2013, I obtained a traineeship at Cassowary Coast Regional Council where I worked for a year to save money for my Gap Year in the UK.

In 2015 I moved to the Isle of Man and spent a year working as an assistant within an international boarding school. I worked and lived at the school during the terms and got to know people from all around the world and on the holidays I travelled throughout the UK and Europe, an experience I will never forget.

Following my return to Australia I spent a year and a half studying Secondary Education at Uni, but found I had changed my mind about studying and simply wanted to start working and living life.

I joined the Royal Australian Air Force at the start of 2018 and have vastly enjoyed my time. In the RAAF I have pushed myself physically, mentally and accomplished things that I could never have dreamed about doing while at school.

My name is Chelsea De Angeli and I graduated from Good Counsel College in 2017. During Grade 11 and 12 at GCC, I studied a Certificate III in Fitness which landed me a job at one of the local gyms in Innisfail. I worked at Contours Gym throughout Grade 12 and up until September 2018 when I then moved to Cairns. I worked for a company called Spotless, which meant I was lucky enough to work at the Cairns Naval base as a gym receptionist. This is where I met some of my now closest friends who very easily persuaded me to join the Navy. The 8th April 2019 is a date that will stick with me forever, as this is the day I began my Naval Career. I spent 3 months down on the Victorian Peninsula with limited phone use and long days full of discipline and fitness. I graduated recruit school and was officially a Naval Sailor (Almost) in July. I then began the initial training for the job role I was joining as. Six months of Aviation Support training on the central coast, and I now live in Sydney and work on the biggest war ship in the fleet. Lashing down helicopters, refueling and a first response fire fighter is now my life day in day out. We are currently preparing for a 3 month deployment up to the Pacific islands which will be heaps of fun for everyone involved and such an awesome experience to help me advance in my career.

Dave Maloney graduated in 1994. he lives in Canberra, is married to Jackie and has 3 children Sophia, Eleanor and Yitzhak. Dave has been a youth worker for almost 10 years. He works for a charity organisation and a primary school where he mentors, helps and supports students at school. Dave also works in a residential program to ensure young people are given a chance at having the best life.

After graduating from GCC in 2012, I moved down to Brisbane to begin a dual degree in Business and Design at Queensland University of Technology. While at university, I further developed my online brand and content creation across YouTube and Instagram. I also founded a clothing brand called Rift Supply Co, and completed marketing internships at companies including SurfStitch in Burleigh Heads and Endeavour College of Natural Health in Brisbane.

Once I graduated from university, I began working full-time in digital marketing at Doughnut Time, helping to manage and maintain all digital and web aspects of the Doughnut Time franchise, as well as several other notable restaurants and cafes across Brisbane.

I then chose to depart from Doughnut Time to work for myself instead. Since then I have been running my clothing brand and creating content online for my own online channels as well as for companies such as Coca-Cola, Dominos, Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art, Marvel, Paramount Pictures, Fairtrade and a lot of other great brands and charities.

Check out her brand-@riftsupplyco

After finishing school and my school based traineeship at ANZ, I was lucky enough to be employed straight away with ANZ in Innisfail. I was there for 3 more years as a service consultant on the telling queue and then eventually being accredited to perform as a personal banker helping out with the sales side of business. Over the years there I developed many customer skills and really broadened my knowledge on so many different aspects of life in the real world and how things work.

I’ve since moved to Cairns to gain more opportunity to continue learning and have found it very fulfilling. Allowing me to work closer to a larger network of colleagues as there are many branches and managing figures in the area.

Being able to help customers achieve their financial goals however big or small, is still a big motivation for me as it is important when it comes to money, you’ve got to be in control. As a person I’ve also realised I’ve grown a lot and I know how important is to be accountable, meticulous and respectable when it comes to many parts of life not just work.

I’m still learning to this day and I hope to keep learning.

I went straight to uni (UQ) from high school and didn’t really know what I wanted to do. I enrolled in a dual Engineering/Science degree… then failed my first semester. I found the transition to a new city a lot to deal with and couldn’t really find my niche. Then I continued to sign up to a UQ college campus where I met a lot of good friends and ended up finishing a Science degree. I decided to try research by completing an Honours degree, which I found rewarding, receiving First Class which was an achievement after such a rocky start to the degree.

I then worked as a research assistant in different labs at UQ, from population genetics with sharks, to permafrost microbiology. In the end I found that the career of science research was a long road and decided to make a career change, completing a Masters in Town Planning. Being a bit more mature meant that I found the study process much easier. I received the dux of my year (a big surprise) and really felt I had come full circle from the start of my uni experience.

I’m currently a town planner in Cairns and am really enjoying my work!

I’ve since moved to Cairns to gain more opportunity to continue learning and have found it very fulfilling. Allowing me to work closer to a larger network of colleagues as there are many branches and managing figures in the area.

Being able to help customers achieve their financial goals however big or small, is still a big motivation for me as it is important when it comes to money, you’ve got to be in control. As a person I’ve also realised I’ve grown a lot and I know how important is to be accountable, meticulous and respectable when it comes to many parts of life not just work.

I’m still learning to this day and I hope to keep learning.

My name is Jamie Livingston and I graduated back in 1996. After finishing year 12 I went on to a few different jobs as I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. I worked on a local banana farm then started an apprenticeship as a fitter and turner but realized it wasn’t for me. I then went on to become a PADI scuba dive instructor and worked in the tourist industry for a few years all over Australia. In 2006 i joined the Australian Army as a combat engineer and later became a member of the Australian special forces with the Special Operations Engineer Regiment based out of Sydney. I deployed overseas as part of a peacekeeping mission to Timor Leste in 2008 and I was also a high risk search specialist as part of Australia’s domestic counterterrorism team with the role that defense helps support. I discharged in 2011 and went on to run my own business which allowed me to move back to Innisfail and work with local businesses in support of the feral pig eradication program run by Terrain. In 2015 I moved to the USA and I am now flying helicopters contracted to the US Forest Service and department of interior fighting wild fires all over the country. I’m currently flying a Bell 407hp where there are only around 38 of these helicopters in the world. They specialise in fighting fires and lifting cargo at high altitudes which other helicopters struggle. In the past I have also flown the Sikorsky S61 similar to the navy Seaking helicopters and the giant Skycrane both on fires.

To the students that don’t really know what they want to do when leaving school don’t worry too much as it takes time to find a passion to excel in. You spend most of your time in life either working or sleeping and life is short so find a job that you love and it won’t feel like work at all.

I graduated from GCC in 2013 and as Business was my favourite subject, I had no doubt that I wanted to study Business. I always loved IT, but felt it was my hobby. I started a Bachelor of Business with Marketing at JCU Cairns but soon changed to an Accounting major as I was offered a cadetship. The cadetship was perfect in the sense that I soon learnt that I was not cut out to be an Accountant. I completed a Diploma in Business and then moved over to a Bachelor of Information Technology. In my 3rd year I enjoyed being a tutor as well as doing placement with a company in Cairns which worked in DAM (Digital Asset Management). After my placement I was offered 2 days a week with the company while finishing my degree. One of the focus areas of my degree was also teaching us to create LinkedIn accounts and to use LinkedIn effectively.

I was amazed to be contacted by a Sydney company who had found my LinkedIn profile and was flown to Sydney to do a presentation on the DAM that I currently worked with. I was very excited to be offered a position at the Sydney branch of an international company where I do presentations across the whole Asia-Pacific of my company's DAM products.

After graduating from Good Counsel College in 2013 with an OP, I accepted my offer to study a Bachelor of Primary Education majoring in Physical Education at James Cook University, Cairns. I quickly grew a passion for teaching in Catholic Schools, therefore in my 3rd year of University I began studying a Graduate Certificate in Religious Education to gain RE qualifications. I graduated from my degree in 2017, followed by graduating from my graduate certificate in 2018. I was very happy with my choice to study at James Cook University, Cairns. I particularly loved the relaxed atmosphere, the support provided by all staff was incredible and it was very easy to make connections with your cohort and lecturers.

I have a very close connection with my family and love what the country life offers, therefore coming back home to work in Innisfail was a must for me. In 2018 I accepted my first job offer at the primary school which I attended, Good Counsel Primary School (GCPS), Innisfail, where I taught Year 6. In 2019 I continued at GCPS teaching Year 5 and in 2020 I will again be teaching Year 5 at GCPS. I absolutely love living in Innisfail and love inspiring young minds. I am very thankful for the people who have helped shape me into who I am and I can’t wait to see what the future holds!

Past student Sam Tschui signed up for the Navy for his gap year in 2021. He then decided to continue on this path with the Navy and recently completed this course at HMAS Penguin. Sam has been posted to HMAS Melville, and his first assignment will be performing border security tasks for thirteen weeks at sea. Congratulations Sam!

Hi everyone Jayden Walker-Epong here, just a quick update on how I have been travelling in the Royal Australian Navy since graduating Good Counsel College in 2015 and graduating RAN Recruit School in October 2017 at HMAS Cerberus. Since leaving recruit school I received my first posting which was aboard the HMAS Melbourne Ship which was located in Sydney. After spending many months at sea, visiting numerous countries and performing numerous operational exercises I was also promoted from Seaman to (AB) Able Seaman Boatswain's Mate on the 29th of March 2019. A few months later HMAS Melbourne was decommissioned on the 26th of October 2019 after 27 years of service. Since then I had been working on base at HMAS Kuttabul in the Fleet Supply Unit on Garden Island in Sydney awaiting the arrival of a new ship I had been posted to. My new posting which I received on the 13th of January 2020 was to be aboard the NUSHIP Supply which was yet to be commissioned as the ship was yet to be bought over from Spain but as of April last year 2020 I was posted closer to Innisfail at HMAS Cairns Naval Base working in Fleet Support Unit due to a family member being quite ill. Living in Sydney away from Family and Friends was always hard but I learnt many skills and seen things I would of only dreamed of and I also played in the Royal Australian Navy Rugby League Team. Thank you Good Counsel College for the wonderful five years and awesome memories I still carry with me today.

After graduating in 2014, I enrolled into the Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree in 2015. I only have a few weeks left of my degree and feel confident that I will have a job thanks to the clinical experience I have gained. I have already been to a few job interviews prior to graduating in December. JCU has been a very supportive learning environment and definitely the amount of clinical experience has given me self confidence and shown me what I am capable of. In the lead up to graduation, we are given lectures to be job ready with resume and interview training.

I graduated from GCC in 2012 and started at JCU Cairns in 2013 studying my Bachelor of Nursing. I graduated JCU as a Registered Nurse at the end of 2015, and started my graduate position on Ward 1 at the Innisfail Hospital in January 2016. After working the ward and High Dependency Unit for 2 years, I got the opportunity to increase my skills and transfer into the Emergency Department (ED). I absolutely love the pace and challenges of the ED, and working in Innisfail Hospital has allowed me to gain skills and face challenges I definitely would not have encountered in a larger facility. I am currently furthering my knowledge and skills by completing my Post-Graduate Certificate in Emergency Nursing externally through QUT University, while also working, allowing me to put my knowledge immediately into practice. I love giving back to the community I grew up in by caring for people at their most vulnerable. I couldn't be happier in my current roll and look forward to the rest of my career as a Registered Nurse!!

Liam graduated in 2013 and completed Year 12 with an OP, of which especially Maths B and Physics were vital as he knew he was heading into an electrical apprenticeship.

Towards the end of Year 11 Liam was signed up in a school-based electrical apprenticeship with D'Urso Air Conditioning and Electrical. The owners Erik and Carl D'Urso were both past GCC students so this was very special!

Liam completed his apprenticeship and then went on to also complete his Certificate III in Aircon & Refrigeration.

In 2017 Liam was awarded the 2017 Queensland Apprentice of the Year.

We love catching up with past students and hope they inspire our current students to give a little more and try a bit harder to reach their dreams and goals.

After graduating in 2013 with an OP 3, I got into my first choice course studying Law and International Relations at UQ. After a year of studying, I realized that a career in law was not for me and decided that I was destined to be a teacher. I am just about to graduate from a Bachelor of Secondary Education and Bachelor of Arts majoring in History, Legal Studies and Japanese. I will be starting as a Japanese and Humanities teacher at Ipswich State High School in 2020. I’m excited to begin my career educating and inspiring young people!

I graduated from GCC in 2013 and then went on to studying a Bachelor in Pharmacy at James Cook University. At school, I studied subjects that I felt would not only get me into university, but help me while I was there. Those subjects included Biology, Chemistry and Maths B.

James Cook Uni promoted rural work throughout the degree, which inspired me to come back to my home town and serve my community. After graduation I applied to Alive Pharmacy, where I have been working ever since I graduated university in 2017.

I finished high school in 2011, I did not get an OP because I never planned on attending university, I secured my dream job with frontier services as a childcare worker and spent 2 years travelling to remote cattle stations to provide childcare for 3-6 weeks at each property. My goals eventually changed and I was looking for a change, I found myself feeling lost and unsure what to do. An opportunity to work as an assistant in nursing in a remote aboriginal community in central QLD came up and I jumped at the opportunity. I had absolutely no interest in being a nurse or living in central Queensland, 1300km’s from home, but I thought at the very least I would earn some money and go back to Innisfail in 12 months. I started my new job and quickly learned it was exactly what I was meant to be doing and it was a no-brainer to enrol and do a bachelor of nursing while working. I was welcomed into a very small tight knit community, and I have never considered leaving. 5 years later I have finished my bachelor and secured a graduate position at a large rural hospital in Central QLD.

I believe it is important to remember that you will always be better off to try and take a chance and not enjoy something than to never take chances and always wonder what could have happened. I am a strong believer in going to university when you have found something you love and are passionate about!

Hi, my name is Gabrielle Hall and I graduated from Good Counsel College in 2019. Upon finishing high school, I made the courageous decision to move to the other side of the country... beautiful Tasmania, where I began my studies at the Australian Maritime College. As Covid-19 struck the world and uncertainty was upon us, I moved home back to Innisfail for 6 months and studied online while working on the sugar cane trains for the local South Johnstone sugar mill. I then quickly moved back to Tasmania and am currently still continuing my degree in a Bachelor of Global Logistics and Maritime Management. I am thoroughly enjoying my studies and love every aspect of the AMC. I am also the Women's Officer for the Australian Maritime College Student Association, which is a volunteer committee that holds fun events for students all year round. We also operate the uni bar (Seafarers Bar) which is, fun fact, the only fully student-run bar in Australia! I absolutely love the lifestyle in Tasmania and spend many of my weekends camping, diving, sailing, hiking, and more! I particularly enjoy day trips to Cradle Mountain to hang with the wombats... they're my favourite.

My name is Georgia McBain and I am a 2012 graduate of Good Counsel College. During my senior years at Good Counsel I studied a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education which sparked my love for working with children, and lead me to apply for a Bachelor of Primary Education at JCU in Cairns. After graduating and working for a couple of years in Innisfail, I moved to Cairns to start my uni degree. I completed my degree at the end of 2019 and am now back in Innisfail working as the Year 5/6 teacher at St Rita’s in South Johnstone. I’m so happy to be back in my home town working at such a lovely little Catholic school, and I am looking forward to my first year as a Primary School Teacher! The hard work throughout high school and university has definitely paid off!

I graduated from GCC in 2017 with a Traineeship in Hospitality Operations (Certificate III) and BLA Excellence Award. A special mention and a huge thank you to my hospitality teacher, Ms Loretta Kreis (Clancy) who inspired my passion for hospitality/cookery. Through her encouragement and teacher excellence, she extended my skills to the next level by participating and excelling in culinary competitions both local, regional and state (Feast of the Senses, Taste of the Tablelands, Australian Culinary Competitions at South Bank and Gold Coast).

In 2018, I commenced an Apprenticeship in Commercial Cookery with Pullman Cairns International and became a Commis Chef (graduate) in November 2020. I loved being the “Omelette Chef” on breakfast buffet and excelling at Eggs Benedict. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions, buffets were no longer offered to customers and a la carte dining became the “norm”. Both work and TAFE trained me in the techniques of commercial cookery in addition to critical thinking, conflict resolution, empathy, commitment, reliability and of course - good hard work!

My passion is food, health and nutrition. I have moved to Brisbane to study further towards another qualification in food sciences.

I was one of few who left GCC before graduating Year 12, completing only up to Year 11 in 2013. I moved to Perth, Western Australia, to get my feet wet in the plumbing and gas industry starting an apprenticeship in January 2014 & completed it in 2018. I jumped head first into the trade and became very passionate about my industry, learning along the way the importance of being a plumber and gas fitter & the services we provide. Whilst doctors cure, plumbers prevent diseases; being the first line of defence when it comes to human health. It’s not all about 1’s and 2’s; completing jobs such as running medical gas pipes in hospitals, compressed air lines in industrial & commercial factories, stainless steel diesel lines for commercial back up generators in city buildings and more. I entered the 2016 Master Plumbers & Gas Association of WA Apprentice of the Year awards as a 3rd year apprentice becoming a finalist of only 12 in the state and was runner up. I continued my career as a tradesman and did further studies to obtain my plumber's license & opened my own business in late 2019. I love my trade, and the satisfaction I get out of problem solving tasks but also the security I have of being a licensed tradesman. Everyone needs a plumber some time in their life!