Prominent Gold Coasters talk about school days

skool DAZE

Attending school and getting an education is an all-important part of shaping us for life’s journey. We asked some prominent women for their memories from their time in class during those formative years.

Juliet Bell

Marketing & Events Manager – Porsche Centre Gold Coast & Gold Coast Jaguar Land Rover Where did you go to school for primary and senior? All Saints Anglican School. Favourite subject and why? Art & Home Economics – I’ve always loved anything where I’m able to be creative and hands on. Favourite teacher and why? So many! All the teachers at All Saints were amazing. I could name all of my teachers from year 1-12, I enjoyed each and everyone. Not to be biased, but I think All Saints is the best school on the Gold Coast! A lot of my favourite teachers shared my creative passion like my art teachers Mrs Morley & Miss Ciafardini, Drama teachers Mrs Middlebrook and Mr Cherry and my Home Ec teachers Miss Daniels & Mrs Sheehab. Best memory at school? I have so many amazing school memories, but my favourite would have to be participating in the musical Singing in the Rain. Academic or sporting achievement? McIntosh House Vice Captain. What did you want to be when you grew up? Event Manager. Is your life now what you expected it to be? If so how? I always wanted to combine my creative passion with business, so I knew I always knew I wanted to work in corporate to some capacity. I never would have guessed I would land in automotive, but I love these brands and the marketing opportunities they bring.

Dallis Pavey

Executive Assistant/ Marketing The Coastal Clinic Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics Where did you go to school for primary and senior? Punchbowl Primary and Wiley Park Girls High School. Favourite subject and why? English as I loved reading Favourite teacher and why? I don’t have a favourite but if I was to think back in time , it was probably my Maths teacher who was patient and diligent with her teachings of the subject. Best memory at school? The flour bombs thrown around, on our final days of school life, in celebration of finishing school and the friendships we made and excited about the future. Academic or sporting achievement? I was very sporty and won most of the hurdle jump races and track and field events. I was also dancing and training 5 days a week and was part of a dance group who participated on TV and various events. Academically, I have been an English Teacher for over ten years and taught in Japan as a qualified TESOL teacher. What did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be an Air Hostess or Pilot as I just wanted to fly. Is your life now what you expected it to be? If so how? I was able to achieve my passion and dream to fly and had a couple of flying lessons but I became a Flight Attendant and Trainer in the Airlines for 15 years but sadly came to an end when the Airlines collapsed. We have a vision of how our life is expected to be, but it does not always go according to plan. I love the Aviation Industry and I love what I do in the Medical Industry. I feel blessed to have found a balance in both my personal life with my three beautiful boys and working life with a great team of professionals.

Ava Abiad

Director of Ava Communications

Where did you go to school for primary and senior? I went to Walford Anglican School for Girls in my hometown of Adelaide before relocating to the Gold Coast to complete Year 11 at St Hilda’s School. I moved to Bond College for Year 12. Favourite subject and why? I always enjoyed the humanities realm, particularly English, History and Geography - I have an obsession with maps. Favourite teacher and why? My favourite teacher at St Hilda’s was Mr Larsen. He was so kind and cared deeply about his impact on the lives of his students. Best memory at school? When I was in primary school, I managed to convince Wolf Blass to let me to interview him about his migrant journey. It was an inspirational story to fuel the budding entrepreneurs in the class! Academic or sporting achievement? I was never terribly sporty, but I somehow managed to exhibit a knack for shot-put that landed me in the SA state carnival. What did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a plastic surgeon when I was in primary school, but came to the realisation that my strength was in communications in high school and completed a Bachelor of Journalism at Bond University. Is your life now what you expected it to be? If so how? My best friend and I made a pact to be neighbours when I returned to Adelaide so we could host each other for barbecues and our children could play together. Now, he lives around the corner from me, our puppies have regular playdates and I’ve become incredibly proficient at charcoal. Career-wise, I still have a published article in Gourmet Traveller on my bucket list!

Nicole Cronin

Clinic Director/owner for The Coastal Clinic Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics

Where did you go to school for primary and senior? Proserpine State Primary and High School. Favourite subject and why? Biology because I loved Science and Physical Education. I was a very athletic child and loved everything from Athletics to touch football and volleyball. Favourite teacher and why? Mr Cox- he was my athletics coach and PE teacher and to this day is still a dear friend of mine. Best memory at school? Travelling away for athletics, horse riding and various sports with my friends to represent my school, region or state was always so much fun. Academic or sporting achievement? Academic- Graduating a Masters in Business Administration with Honours. Sporting- Top 3 in QLD and Top 15 in Australia for triple jump as a junior. I was the first female to win the Player Most likely to succeed for Rugby union at my school. My horse also won North Queensland Galloway of the Year. What did you want to be when you grew up? When I finished school I didn’t know what I wanted to be so I studied Education and Science with the thought of going on to study physiotherapy. I never in my wildest dreams expected to be working alongside my husband in our clinic, but looking back now I couldn’t imagine it any other way. Is your life now what you expected it to be? If so how? Not at all. My life is so much more blessed than I could have ever imagined with my gorgeous, loving husband and three beautiful children, living in one of the most stunning places in the world!

Natalia Sanguigno

Makeup and Hair Artist Where did you go to school for primary and senior? I went to AB Paterson College from prep- year 7, then I went to Trinity Lutheran College from year 8-12. Favourite subject and why? My favourite subject was ancient history. I found it really interesting, learning about the different civilisations and how they used to live. Favourite teacher and why? Mrs Burton was my favourite teacher. I had her for ancient and modern history. She was always really supportive and helped me do my best. Best memory at school? I don’t have one best memory, however I loved being involved in all of the performing arts productions and musicals during high school. They were so much fun, not just being able to perform, but also spending time with my friends. Another highlight of my time at school was going on the Trinity Performing Arts trip to Melbourne. Academic or sporting achievement? I received a performing arts award one year, but I think actually graduating was an achievement for me. What did you want to be when you grew up? When I was younger, I wanted to be a hairdresser and when I became a teenager, I knew I wanted to be a special effects make-up artist. Is your life now what you expected it to be? If so how? Yes and no. When I was around 13 years of age, I knew I wanted to be a makeup and hair artist. I’m glad I was able to start my Diploma of Screen and Media in Specialist Makeup Services in Year 11, so when I finished high school, I was a qualified makeup artist. Since then, I have been able to get some really awesome work opportunities, that I didn’t expect to be able to get so soon in my career. I am very grateful for those opportunities.

Trish Hogan

Business Development Manager Ramsay Health Where did you go to school for primary and senior? Our Lady of Mercy College Mackay for Primary. All Hallows Brisbane for secondary school. Favourite subject and why? English as it was the easiest to follow. Favourite teacher and why? Sister Mary Alpheus as she was a very gentle old sole. Best memory at school? Dancing lessons with Nudgee College and Gregory Terrace boys. Academic or sporting achievement? North Queensland age champion for Breaststroke (swimming). What did you want to be when you grew up? A mum. Is your life now what you expected it to be? If so how? Yes, I am healthy and still kicking and travelling the world often …..life is good ….so very lucky.

Sandii Pink

Self Employed Where did you go to school for primary and senior? Burleigh state school then St Hilda’s. Favourite subject and why? Accounting and Geopraphy. Favourite teacher and why? Most likely Miss Melaphont - contradiction in all areas.

Best memory at school? Grade 7 Camp Mt Warninglol. Grade 8 Friday afternoons, everyone squeezing into skinny denim wash jeans to head to the skating rink...disco Fridays. Academic or sporting achievement? Representing Qld in Water Polo and Australian Youth Hockey Squad. What did you want to be when you grew up? Freelance Travel Photographer or a Sports Team Physio. Is your life now what you expected it to be? If so how? Not even close...but wonderfully rewarding in different ways.