Humans of Carey: Elise Elliott

Mother of Year 5 student Ava

Parenting is a juggle. Not just of time, career, passions, hobbies and family but of personal philosophies and beliefs. I said to my husband, Tom, he could choose our daughter’s school but I was never, ever going to barrack for his football team!

Both Tom and his father went to Carey, and we both liked the idea of three generations attending the same school. I had gone to an all-girls school and did not believe that was the best way to set up a young person for the realities of life. For us, co-education was a no-brainer.

Our daughter, Ava, has, like all Victorian students, weathered an unusual year of mostly home schooling. It taught me the value of teachers, the impressive resilience of children – and the truth that I’m a dreadful, impatient educator!

But put me behind the wheel of a super car and I’m completely comfortable. I guess you could say I talk the ‘torque’.

A not-so-secret rev-head, I’m a TV presenter on motoring show WhichCar. In addition to filming, I have motoring columns in Belle, House and Garden, Woman’s Day and, from next year, Wheels magazine. This means I get to test drive everything from the latest McLarens to vintage Mustangs.

I am one of the only female motoring journalists in Australia. This seems ludicrous given 50% of drivers are women and they make up the majority of car purchasing decisions. But I’m proud to fly the flag for women in a male-dominated industry. I tell my daughter this should never hold her back from her career aspirations.

I have spent more than 25 years across the trifecta of radio, television and print which has been a privileged, albeit wild, ride. I’ve done extraordinary things from trekking the Kokoda track, interviewing everyone from Bill Clinton, the Dalai Lama, Hugh Hefner at the Playboy Mansion and Sting to, more importantly, hearing the extraordinary stories of ordinary people.

When I’m not shackled to my computer, you’ll find me out on the waves indulging my latest passion – surfing! My prized possession is my Mini Mal surfboard.

Oh and for the record, I barrack for the Swannies. Tom and Ava go for the Blues. Poor things.

Elise's husband, Tom (1985), and their daughter, Ava.