Where are they now?
Fiona Sweetman (1989) I arrived at Carey in Year 9 as an eager student, with my younger sister, Annabelle, a year below. Already interested in architecture, art and rowing, at Carey I discovered musicals, history and a wide community. What I gleaned from my time at Carey was that friendships arrive in unlikely places, and learning is different for everyone.
I love being part of the ecosystem of the Victorian tourism industry, as I cross paths with hoteliers, restaurateurs, sports and events managers and creatives – many of whom are Carey alumni. I also sit on boards and advisory groups including the Victorian Tourism Industry Council, and mentor young tourism students.
I didn’t complete Year 12 as a late diagnosis of dyslexia interrupted my love of learning, but I did a design program at RMIT and then moved to France in 1992. At Carey I made costumes for the drama department, so after school I became a self-employed dressmaker making ball gowns, costumes and wedding dresses. It kept me busy for 10 years.
In 2020, I ran as an independent for Melbourne City Council for the third time, though with 53 candidates, it was not to be, and I can likely do more from the sidelines in the end anyway.
My time in Normandy really shaped my next 30 years. Language, photography and an appreciation for travel eventually brought me back to Melbourne, where
I started my own city walking tour business, Hidden Secrets Tours, in 2004. The development of a tourism business was actually a lot like fashion design: the use of space, the journey you bring the customer on and the memories and business connections you make. My business has won awards for Female Entrepreneurship, a Victorian Tourism Award and a Melbourne Award in 2008.
There’s no question that COVID-19 has impacted my business, but some help from old Carey mates in the economics of things set me up years ago on how to prepare for disaster and growth. It’s a complicated time, but we will see it through, and other projects will keep me busy until we can all travel more freely!
Ross Connor (1969) At Carey, I was in the Railway Club. I have cerebral palsy on the left side of my body, and because of my physical disabilities, my involvement in sports was limited. The Railway Club provided an activity for me and is an interest I hold to this day: I have continued active involvement with the Puffing Billy Preservation Society since 1966.
continuity management for NSW government agencies and universities, which included interesting trips to Hong Kong and Indonesia.
After school, I did Business Studies at the Preston Institute of Technology and was a Foundation graduate of the Bundoora campus (now the Mill Park campus of RMIT). From 1972 to 1979, I worked for Price Waterhouse. During this time, I was seconded to Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands. I was there in 1978 when the country became independent from Britain.
visits. After a few years at Burns Philp and Co Ltd in Papua New Guinea as Internal Audit Manager, in 1981 I moved back to Australia to work in Internal Audit at the State Rail Authority of NSW, including being Manager of Internal Audit. I also worked in Internal Audit at the Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW.
Later that year, I visited China and examined the railway system as a guest of China Rail. This was the first of several
Then, until 2001, I worked at a consulting company primarily conducting internal audits, risk management and business
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I did some freelance consulting for a while, before being contracted to RSM Bird Cameron, Chartered Accountants in 2003. In this role, I undertook risk management reviews, IT audits and business continuity management mainly in NSW, ACT and federal government departments and agencies. This included two journeys to the Solomon Islands to review Australian aid programs. I retired in 2014 and have since been actively involved with the Hornsby NSW Probus Club. I live in Sydney and until recently had been caring for my 100-year-old father, who passed away in January this year. Whilst in lockdown, I am writing some narratives about my trips to China in 1978, 1987 and 2001.
