ALUMNI

RUBY OBERIN

CLASS OF 2013

What you have been doing since leaving MAG?

Following graduation, I had a gap year and worked at Kagome Foods in the laboratory to save money. I started my undergraduate degree in 2015 at Monash University, studying a Bachelor of Biomedical Science. Studying this course helped me realise that Medicine wasn’t for me, and my love and passion for education was where my heart was. My favourite subjects during Biomedical Science were based on

fetal and neonatal development, which led me to enrol in a Graduate Diploma in Reproductive Science at Monash Medical Centre. During this course I fell in love with science communication

and fundamental scientific research.

I was amazed at how much we still

have to learn about embryonic and fetal development. I was fortunate to be offered a PhD candidate position in Associate Professor Patrick Western’s research team at the Hudson Institute

of Medical Research. I started my research project in 2019, investigating how epigenetics in the mother’s egg could be altering bone development in children. I am almost at the half way point of my PhD and I am loving it. It is the perfect combination of selfdirected discovery, team work, science communication and education. I am

also very fortunate to have a teaching associate role at Monash University, which has provided me lecturing and tutoring opportunities.

What are your plans for the future?

I plan to finish my PhD in 2022 and to start working in either a junior lecturing position or in an industry-based role. This could be in either clinical trials, medical consulting or research. I am excited for the future - I am taking a ‘one step at a time’ approach and saying ‘yes’ to every opportunity presented to me.

One highlight from your time at MAG?

When I first started at MAG in Year

7, the majority of my classes were in portable classrooms. I look back and feel so fortunate being able to have watched the school evolve and grow. Each year was filled with excitement and fresh opportunities with brandnew resources and beautiful learning spaces. These classrooms (including the original portable classrooms) were always happy environments, filled with laughter. I loved the creative and personal touches of student art that filled the walls of the school. From the

colourful caravan that was a temporary canteen in my early years to the student murals on the permanent buildings.

“MAG is such a colourful place, and all of my memoires of my time there are bright and warm.”

One piece of advice you would give to current students

Often I hear people say “I don’t want to spend all of those years studying”. When in fact you are still living your life whilst studying. You can still do so many beautiful things whilst at university, from travel to work and socialising. Change is scary. But we can’t grow without change. The path you take after high school is your time to try new things and see what works for you. Don’t let the fear of time, change or uncertainty stop you from giving new things a go. You will find your passion if you start looking for it.

Alumni News

If you know of any exciting happenings amongst our alumni, please let us know! Send us a message at communications@moamagrammar.nsw.edu.au

Nicholas Barry (Foundation student 2005) and wife Sarah Barry welcomed their first child, William, on 25 August, 2020. William was born in Albury, where the Barry family currently reside.

Ashlea Monigatti (Class of 2011) married William Mason in Everton on William’s parents farm on 27 March 2021. The couple met at an interschool cross country day when MAG competed against William’s school - Cathedral College, Wangaratta. They live on a farm in Anaki where they run a horse agistment centre, fatten lambs and have a hay trading business.

Ingrid Williams (Class of 2016) married Bryce McDonald on 23 May 2020, after bringing the date forward because of COVID-19 restrictions. They married at their farm in the Western District, 20 minutes south of Hamilton with ten guests and the minister. Ingrid works as a podiatrist in private practice at Gen Health in Hamilton, Victoria.

Alexander Spry (Class of 2019) and Cable Metcalf (Class of 2019) welcomed their first child, a baby girl named Elaine on 30 September, 2020. Elaine was born at the Echuca Regional Hospital and the family are currently residing in Kyabram.