Charlotte Haling

Class of 2019

Charlotte Haling (Class of 2019) is a high achiever on and off the field. Since leaving Kinross Wolaroi School, Charlotte has risen to the top of her class in law at the University of Notre Dame, secured a position as a paralegal with one of Australia’s fastest-growing legal practices and been nominated as the Rosebowl Representative at St Andrew’s College.

Charlotte’s latest, impressive achievement is winning The Hon. Justice Geoffrey Bellew Prize for First Place in Criminal Law in only her second year. Charlotte said receiving the prize came as a complete surprise and like a true sportswoman, credits the prize to those around her.

“I was not expecting it at all. I felt very grateful to have come first, but it was a team effort. It would not have been possible without my hardworking and supportive parents, along with my teachers who inspire and challenge me every day,” said Charlotte.

The accolades don’t stop there, either. In her first year of law, Charlotte was awarded The Vice Chancellor’s Academic Merit Scholarship and Colin Biggers and Paisley Lawyers Scholarship for outstanding academic achievement, contribution to the community and leadership.

This certainly caught the attention of lawyers at Colin Biggers and Paisley, who offered Charlotte the paralegal role. Charlotte now juggles working at the firm alongside her university and sporting commitments.

“An average day for me involves waking up early to go to training before getting the bus into the city for work. Once I’m home from work, I try to watch a lecture and work my way through assignments. But every day is different,” said Charlotte.

Charlotte has been a high achiever since joining KWS as a boarding student in Year 7. She joined KWS to step outside of her comfort zone and to take on new challenges after growing up on a farm near the small country town of Gulargambone in NSW.

Charlotte quickly became a star across the school, taking on higher duties as a member of the School Representative Council between 201718 and becoming Head of the SRC in 2019. Also proving herself to be a strong leader, Charlotte completed the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award in 2019, became Company Commander of the Kinross Wolaroi Cadet Unit in 2019 and was awarded an Acadamic Excellence Award for achieving grades that placed her in the top 10 per cent of all students.

Charlotte was also proved to be a key player on the field and netball court. She became Captain of Touch Football in 2019 while playing for the Touch Football 1sts Team and Netball 1sts Team. Charlotte was also a Service Prefect (2019) and part of the KWS Athlete and Development Support Program (2018-19), showing her dedication to developing sport.

Today, Charlotte is still involved in netball, Rugby 7s, touch football, soccer and running, and helps organise college sport as the St Andrew’s College Rosebowl Representative. Charlotte’s goal is to ensure everyone feels included and welcome in sport.

“I love sport for everything it has taught me about teamwork, leadership, focus and commitment. I have formed many wonderful friendships through my relationship with sport,” said Charlotte.

The high achiever is due to graduate in 2025 and there is no doubt her determination and sportsmanship place her in good stead to help many people as a future lawyer. Charlotte’s goal is to come back to the country to help people in remote towns with limited access to legal aid.

Reflecting on how far she’s come, Charlotte said she’ll be forever grateful to all her teaches at KWS, particularly her former mentor and current Director of TREE (The Regional Engagement Enterprice), Sue-Ann Gavin.

“Sue-Ann always inspired me to challenge myself. I will be forever grateful to Kinross for providing me with the skills and confidence to go out into the world and try to make a difference,” said Charlotte.