Adriana Macdonald
(CLASS OF 2006)
Adriana, did you always want to be a teacher librarian?
Surprisingly, no. I didn’t realise that I could specialise as a teacher librarian until later in my teaching career.
But I’ve always had a passion for reading – sharing books with my family and giving books as gifts, borrowing from my school libraries, studying English up to Year 12, then completing a minor in Children’s Literature while at university.
What path did you take to pursue such a career?
I completed my Bachelor of Education (Junior Primary/Primary) through UniSA and taught in classrooms in several schools across sectors. Then, I was approached by another teacher librarian who saw my passion for literature.
She explained to me that this can turn into a career path and encouraged me to join the South Australia branch of the Children’s Book Council of Australia. After joining, I made connections with several supportive teacher librarians who guided me to formalise my passion with postgraduate studies.
I completed my Master of Education (Teacher Librarianship) through Charles Sturt University and won my position as a teacher librarian at the Junior School.
Describe an average workday for you.
I arrive at the Mary MacKillop Library and meet with our Library Technician to discuss the library goals and tasks ahead. Next, I make sure my books are ready for my classes for the day and the upcoming weeks. I complete my morning crossing duty, ensuring our students arrive safely.
Throughout the day, I welcome the Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 classes for their library lessons. I teach these students the features of fiction and non-
This ex-student has found her ‘happy place’ professionally, being surrounded by books.
fiction books, how to navigate the library, find out their interests, and support book choices.
When I’m not teaching, I use my administration time to support our staff and students through our resources and event management. I check what is needed for learning topics and make purchases through local book suppliers. I keep updated with upcoming special days and events, so we can resource these needs.
I also go through resources with our library team and communicate with relevant staff and leadership to make sure we have the best suited physical and digital resources for our community.
Then I finish off each day with a final email check and complete any shortterm tasks before going home.
What kind of person suits being a teacher librarian?
Someone who loves literature, who knows how to navigate the curriculum, can plan and manage events, and has budgeting skills for updating and maintaining resources.
They can work within both roles as a teacher and a librarian: teaching students to appreciate and love literature, and giving students and staff access to resources to achieve their goals.
How have you seen reading habits among students change over time? Has technology had a big impact?
In terms of using technology in the Junior School library, our catalogue is online, and we offer both audiobooks and ebooks to our students in Years 3-6, who use iPads for learning.
Students will opt for physical books on the shelves first, and then, a lot of our digital book requests happen when the
physical copy is on loan.
The change with reading behaviour is that as students get older, they are likely to read less for enjoyment but more for necessity of learning. My goal as a teacher librarian is to advocate for the lifelong joy of reading as part of being a lifelong learner.
What is it like working in the same place that you went to school?
It’s wonderful to come back to Saint Ignatius’ College! I attended the Senior School, and it was a bit surreal at first to have my past teachers as colleagues.
It’s motivating to live out the ideals and values instilled in me through my Ignatian education, including being grateful and appreciative for what I have, finding God in all things, and taking time to pause and reflect. It has also been lovely to share the prayer of Saint Ignatius and sing Deo Gloria once again!
As an old scholar, what are your top memories from your time at the College?
My memories include being supported by staff to achieve my academic goals, and making friends while embracing opportunities for learning and cocurricular – including the orchestra, IT, and tennis.
Part of the College’s philosophy is about making the world brighter and sparking change. Do you think such values influenced your career in any way?
I believe so. I’ve been influenced to make an impact by serving and supporting others in my life through education. I discovered through my studies that my practice as a teacher librarian best ties with servant leadership: leading the library in order to serve the community.
Alex Ward
(CLASS OF 1980)
The barrister and comedian was recognised in this year’s King’s Birthday honours list, though he says he wasn’t always a star student.
Congratulations on being named a Member of the Order of Australia in June. Did you ever expect to be honoured like this?
I am really excited about this award. I have had great fun over my working life and have done a number of different roles, which I have enjoyed.
You’re a barrister at Edmund Barton Chambers. Can you tell us about some of your career highlights to date?
I worked in the same field as my father, Kevin Ward, and was able to understand it fairly quickly. He worked at home, so we would hear him dictate his advice as children – I suppose I learnt it [all] by infusion.
The work enabled me to undertake legal politics, serving as the president of the local SA Law Society, the national Law Council of Australia, and then the international Commonwealth Lawyers Association.
In June, I was appointed as a senior member of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and the forthcoming Administrative Review Tribunal – both Commonwealth institutions.
What do you most enjoy about your work?
I was commissioned as a legal officer in the Royal Australian Navy in 1999. This is the most interesting and varied legal work that I do, and I get to travel around for it.
In other legal respects, I get paid to talk, so that is a bonus as it makes work easy.
Outside of the legal profession, you’ve also worked with comic Shaun Micallef, written for TV show Full Frontal, and had stints as an announcer on FIVEAA. What were these experiences like? And why do you think lawyers are often attracted to the arts?
The College in my time was very focused on the arts and I really enjoyed the school plays with [teacher] Richard Flynn.
I carried this on in university, which is where I met and performed with Shaun. We worked together as lawyers, but we wanted to be famous. After a while, I set up my own law firm with my wife, Amanda, and he went on to become famous.
Why do we perform? Vanity.
You attended Saint Ignatius’ College with your siblings, as well as being a past parent of students here. What are your top memories from your time at the College?
I went to Saint Peter Claver’s School, Loreto, [then] Saint Ignatius’. My four brothers also went there. My sisters all went to Loreto.
I had difficulties as a student reading and writing and so had special education classes most of my time at school.
In addition, I was rubbish at sport. But I had really good teachers in Year 12, and with my final pass, I was able to get into law. So, if the young ones are finding it difficult, do not lose heart. Hang in there!
Part of the College’s philosophy is about making the world
brighter. Do you think this influenced your career path in any way?
I have to go beyond the College and say it was my dear mother, Joan, who taught me to wrench enjoyment out of everything I do. I enjoyed a lot about school for that reason.
"But I had really good teachers in Year 12, and with my final pass, I was able to get into law. So, if the young ones are finding it difficult, do not lose heart. Hang in there!"
Courtney Murray
(CLASS OF 2015)
This former student, 26, shares how she became part of the ensemble cast in Moulin Rouge! The Musical – in Germany.
“Ever since I was three, I trained and performed as a dancer, singer and actor with the Barbara Jayne Dance Centre in Norwood.
I love the fact that I can make people feel happy when I am on stage. I always hope that people can forget their troubles the moment they enter the theatre door and that I can take them away in a story.
I had known from a very young age that I wanted to perform in musicals and worked so hard through my childhood to be as good as I could possibly be. I sacrificed any downtime and did my homework at lunchtime, so that I could dance at night. I also missed many functions, so that I didn’t miss any classes.
After school, I was given a full scholarship to Jason Coleman’s Ministry of Dance in Melbourne, which gave me an in-depth insight into the world of performing.
From there, I booked some smaller roles like dancing for [singer] Tones and I at the AFL grand final, performing on The Footy Show, and being part of the principal cast at Expo 2020 in Dubai and the lead in a musical theatre show in Kuala Lumpur. I also taught musical theatre and dance to younger students.
Then I booked my first professional musical in 2022: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne and the Capitol Theatre in Sydney.
Following this came Moulin Rouge in Germany – one of the biggest musicals in the world! It was the ultimate dream to one day be chosen to perform in the cast.
When I auditioned for the role, I had to learn to sing the songs in German. I did a crash course in German and must have done well! Along with others in the cast, I’m trained most weeks in diction to ensure that we sound German. (The show is half in German, half in English.)
It’s been a very steep learning curve. If I had predicted performing in the German cast of a musical, I may have studied German at school!
I perform six days a week, with eight shows a week. (On Saturday and Sunday, we do a double show.) During the day, we either have rehearsals or go grab a coffee, read a book, talk to family and friends, do physio etc.
I also go to the gym to keep myself strong. But this musical is physically very demanding, so there is a lot of exercise we get just by performing every day. As well, we have to get to work early to do our makeup. We also have singing lessons and extra training.
Being in professional musicals is a challenge at times. Yes, it is very exciting and fun but it's not like a regular ‘muggle’ job, as I like to call them. Any money I save is spent on more training: dancing, singing lessons, LaDuca boots ($500 for a dance heel), acting classes, and beyond.
I’m constantly expanding my skill set because you never know what the next musical will be. For instance, I had to learn aerial skills – acrobatics 7m in the air – to prepare for this musical. There is always a new skill to learn, and if you aren’t learning it, you’re behind.
Musical theatre is a very competitive industry. You need a strong mindset
because rejection is more common than not. I auditioned more times than I can count before I booked my first musical.
One of the biggest sacrifices I’ve had to make, though, is not getting to spend time with my family and friends back in Australia. I can’t jump on a flight and see my family if I have a bad day. But I am so grateful for technology that I can give them a call when I need to. My family has been so supportive of me chasing my dreams.
When it comes to my top memories from Saint Ignatius’ College, it would have to be my time performing for the school in aerobics. Being aerobics captain in 2015 was a highlight for sure. Also – the Year 12 drama play, sports day, the Kairos [retreat], maths with Mr Harben, and more.
Saint Ignatius’ has helped mould me into the person I am today. The core values and ethics that I was taught I’m so grateful for. I will continue to live a life of giving without seeking reward. I am a very proud Ignatian.
"A child’s younger years are not always easy, and my years were no exception. I try very hard to make a difference in young people’s lives in the hope that I can help their journey in some way."
Elaine Bensted
(CLASS OF 1980)
Elaine, you have been the chief executive of Zoos South Australia –behind the Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Safari Park – since 2012. What led you to working for the organisation? And what do you love most about your job?
I have always loved animals and had a passion for conservation, and I am driven by work where I can really make a difference. This is the perfect opportunity for both.
I am passionate about our purpose – to connect people with nature and save species from extinction – and love the fact that the job is so incredibly varied. I get to work with many amazing people, both from Zoos SA and across the world, collaborating with other zoos and conservation organisations.
Can you tell us about any interesting moments you’ve had working for Zoos SA?
It is certainly unique, and no two days are ever the same – from hosting Chinese premiers to watching on my computer screen as the first ever Sumatran tiger cub was born at Adelaide Zoo, and seeing our male southern white rhino, Ibutho, be one of the first animals to move into the new ‘Wild Africa’ habitat at Monarto Safari Park.
But I also spend a fair proportion of my time on financial work in front of a computer screen!
How have you seen expectations for animal welfare change over time?
Animal welfare has come a long way since the Adelaide Zoo first opened 141 years ago and we are proud to deliver an excellent standard of animal welfare.
Zoos SA is accredited by the Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA), and this involves a detailed assessment of animal
This former student blazed a trail in finance before going on to head up an iconic conservation charity.
welfare using the Five Domains model, looking at [an animal’s] environment, behaviour, nutrition, health, and mental state.
Our aspiration is for all animals to experience optimal welfare states, thriving 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All our decisions are based on animal welfare science, and we continue to learn more about this emerging science every day.
Previously, you were the chief executive of TAFE SA, and you’ve also worked in finance. How have you seen the workforce evolve to better accommodate women?
Certainly, as a manager in the finance industry [previously], I was one of a small number of women – often the only female in the room.
When I started work, women were not able to join the superannuation scheme until they were 25 years old and there was certainly no such thing as paid maternity leave!
I like to think that workforces have evolved to offer a much more inclusive and fair opportunity for all.
As an old scholar, what memories stand out for you from your time at the College?
Although I only attended the College for two years – when girls were only able to start from Year 11 – some 44 years later, I am still in close contact with many of my schoolmates that I met at the College.
Other than meeting new people, I also fondly remember the wonderful Father Dennett, who supported so many students to develop a deep understanding of mathematics.
The College guides students to ignite their own hearts with compassion and their minds with possibility. How have such values helped shape your path?
I remember speaking at a Saint Ignatius’ graduation ceremony and giving the advice, ‘be kind: be kind to yourself, to others, and to the environment’.
If everyone followed those simple words, the world would be a much better place. Being open to opportunities has meant that I have had an amazing career, and it is what has led me to this job [at Zoos SA].
You’re also on various boards, including for the ZAA, Australian Rhino Project, and Regional Development Australia Murraylands. Do you have any advice for others wanting to pursue this path?
Board involvement is another way that you can give back to society. My key advice is to ensure that you are joining for the right reasons, that you look to lead and contribute with integrity and knowledge, and that you question what is presented to you – and what is not.
Undertaking professional development, like the Australian Institute of Company Directors course, is really beneficial to helping make the biggest impact.
Originally you wanted to be a vet, but you were too squeamish for the occupation. Yet, animals still feature in your professional life. Do you have any pets now?
Animals have always been a big part of my life, and my family have always owned German Shepherds.
I currently have a beautiful 10-year-old German Shepherd, Xeva. We also have a rescue cat, Rosie – and the two of them are often curled up together, having a snooze.
Eloise Fry
(CLASS OF 2013)
The old scholar is forging a path in a male-dominated industry and building on a family tradition.
Hi, Eloise. Please tell us what drew you to working in carpentry.
My interest in carpentry started from a young age. My dad runs a building and carpentry business, I J Fry Nominees, which has recently expanded into plumbing.
I would go onsite with him during school holidays or help him around the house on projects. After many offers of a job from my dad, I finally decided in Year 10 that I would pursue carpentry once I’d finished school.
My parents were incredibly supportive, but we all decided that I should still continue on my path to complete Year 12.
I’m slowly learning the fundamentals of taking over the business from my dad, with my brother, Thomas. We have both completed our Certificate 4 in Building and Construction to aid in this process.
Can you describe your average workday?
It is incredibly difficult to explain my average day as we do almost everything. We do full rebuilds to extensions, renovations, concreting, tiling, and hanging a photo frame on a wall.
It truly is a job that will never get boring as almost every day is different. We work primarily in established homes, apartment buildings, and offices. The only constant is that we start at 8am and finish at 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Our qualified carpenters – myself included – help to teach, supervise and guide our apprentices through their training.
How do you cope with the physical demands of the job?
You adapt. When I first started, it was quite a change – from sitting at a desk all day at school to being on my feet for eight hours, using muscles I never knew existed. It took its toll.
I was exhausted for about three months. Once I got past that initial period, I started to feel more energetic, and my muscles slowly ‘built’. Now I am stronger, but I’d be lying if I said I never got tired or sore anymore.
In your experience, are attitudes towards women in construction changing?
"Only three per cent of skilled tradespeople in Australia are women."
In my early years, I really struggled. I hated my trade studies because of how I was treated by some within the learning environment. It felt like they were trying to get me to quit. They thought that if they pushed me hard enough, I would give up.
I was determined to prove them wrong, which I did. Unfortunately, at that time, women in the industry were a newer concept.
Onsite, I have mixed experiences. Some clients love to see women in the industry, while others are still warming up to the idea. Thankfully, the industry is definitely
changing, and I haven’t had the feeling like I don’t belong for a few years now.
I don’t have to fight as hard to earn a spot alongside my male counterparts. Only three per cent of skilled tradespeople in Australia are women. The more women that complete trades, the more it will improve.
As an old scholar, what are your best memories from your time at the College?
I graduated in 2013, and as you can imagine from my career path, I wasn’t a huge fan of studying. I was a relatively quiet student most of the time and I got along with most people.
The art rooms held most of my fondest memories. I loved being creative and having freedom to be myself.
Do you have any future career goals?
My goals are to take over and run the family business with my brother, to help expand and grow the business my dad built, to create a healthy and happy work environment for our employees, and to, ultimately, continue learning and loving what I do.
What else keeps you busy in between work?
At the moment, I’m renovating my own house, which is taking up most of my spare time. When I can find a minute away from the reno, I play guitar and sing. I enjoy going away to my shack down south or travelling anywhere with my rooftop tent.
Most importantly, spending time with my friends, family and nieces and nephews fills my heart. I’m incredibly blessed with the life that I have.
Laura Vogt
(CLASS OF 2006)
This old scholar has embraced the Ignatian spirit of sparking the fires of change in the community through a passion for the environment.
Laura Vogt had a goal when she was 24 to have her own business by the time she was 30.
Now 36, she actually beat that ambition by a few years, opening a pop-up clothing store on Magill Road in 2016. Her store’s focus? Vintage and sustainable fashion – a cause dear to her heart.
Previously, Laura worked as a medical receptionist. “I was doing [stalls at] the markets and collecting and upcycling on the side while I worked full-time. Having other people appreciate what I was selling and seeing value in it was a really good feeling.”
She signed up for the government-run New Enterprise Incentive Scheme, which offers training and mentoring to those wanting to start a small business. That set her on the course to opening her pop-up store.
Since then, Laura’s business has undergone a name change –now known as Sustainable Clothing Co – and it’s been in various locations around the CBD. Through Renew Adelaide, Laura also received a scholarship for the SAYES program for entrepreneurs with the South Australian Business Chamber. In August, she
moved her store to a new location in Kidman Park.
While there are many vintage clothing boutiques around these days, Laura says her shop’s point of difference is that it “caters to the community”.
“We want to have people over profits, because we really care about recycling and helping people to recycle in lots of different ways,” Laura says.
“Obviously, they can come in and purchase anything secondhand. They can also bring in donations, then get a discount in store. Every three months, we host a clothes swap too, where you can get together with the community and just swap clothing with other people on the day. We’ve been doing that for the last five years, which has been really successful.
“We also do workshops alongside the swaps, where you can learn how to repair your clothes and do alterations.”
Unlike other preloved fashion boutiques, which charge customers fees to sell their own wardrobe items on the racks, Laura sources
all her own stock – through clients, markets, auctions, estate sales, and the internet.
Along with secondhand fashion, she also sells hemp and organic cotton clothing and vinyl records. Plus, she collects clothes that are no longer wearable and takes them to Statewide Cleaning Cloths, where they’re processed into rags and beyond.
On her store, Laura says: “This is my service to others, I guess you could say, in helping them to understand the importance of recycling and also in wearing something fun. I just love when people express themselves and really have their own style and uniqueness.”
"We want to have people over profits, because we really care about recycling and helping people to recycle in lots of different ways"
As for students wanting to follow in her entrepreneurial footsteps, Laura has some words of wisdom. “Get as much information and knowledge as you can from books and other people who have been through the same things. Having a mentor is a really, really good thing for young people as well. There are so many questions that come up.
“Also, think big. You don’t want to put yourself into a little box and say, ‘Oh, I can’t do this’ or ‘I can’t do that.’ Because you can do it, if you really set your mind to it. Don’t confine yourself to thinking too small.”
Nicholas Tagliaferri
(CLASS OF 2003)
Hi, Nicholas. Did you always want to be a teacher? And what were you like as a student?
I never considered it while I was a student. It was something that began to make sense and appeal to me when I was at uni.
I always enjoyed my time as a student at the College and got along with my teachers but never thought I would be one. As a student, I was quiet and reserved but still had confidence enough to ask my teachers questions.
Academically, I never stood out too much in the pack but often achieved
"Being able to see a student, who didn’t understand something – and then, finally come to an understanding – is the most enjoyable part of being a teacher."
decent grades. I always tried my best and was encouraged by my dad to do so. He always valued the application grade in my report over the attainment.
What path did you take to pursue a teaching career?
I initially started a degree in economics/ finance, thinking this was where my career would go. During this time, I continued to study English and history electives as I was interested in these subjects.
The former student has landed back at the College as a Year 9 mentor teacher, English and history teacher, and teacher-incharge of squash.
Suffice to say, I achieved better results in those subjects at uni than economics and finance – particularly the maths courses. So, I switched degrees and completed a Bachelor of Arts.
It was only after the undergraduate course that I considered a career in teaching. I knew I wanted to travel with my career, and so, I moved to England after completing my graduate diploma of education. I gained some valuable experience over there and came back determined to use it to my advantage teaching high school students.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
Being able to see learning in real time is the biggest reward. We are lucky here at Saint Ignatius’ that the majority of students value their education, and more than this, value the hard work needed to improve their education.
Being able to see a student, who didn’t understand something – and then, finally come to an understanding – is the most enjoyable part of being a teacher.
What are the biggest changes you have seen in the profession since becoming a teacher?
The shift to reliance on technology is definitely something I have noticed. When I was in Year 12, we had three computers available in our study room. Now, every student has a device.
Even early in my tertiary study, I was still using overhead projectors. This was only in 2008, and so, it wasn’t that long ago. Yet within a decade or two, every student now is digitally literate and the nature of teaching them has had to shift to accommodate this.
As an old scholar, what are your top memories from your time at the College?
I remember Ms Doyle’s warm welcome to me as part of her Year 8 mentor group and telling stories about lacrosse on nearly a daily basis. I remember playing chasey in the library after Mr Toome told us this was a fun way of alleviating our boredom.
I remember many things in my final year in 2003, mostly the camaraderie that the whole year level somehow managed to maintain throughout the year. I still have many friends today who I only began to know in that final year.
What keeps you busy when you’re not teaching?
Spending time with my wife and our dog, Sadie, is what I love to come home to. We don’t have any children, so we also enjoy spending time with friends and family.
As well, we tend to travel a lot as my wife is a teacher too. I’m also still a child in many ways – I spend quite a bit of time playing video games and reading comic books!
Ruby Chew
(CLASS OF 2006)
The visual artist and DJ says she “truly never knew a time” when she didn’t want to be creative.
Ruby, how would you describe your art?
My art practice revolves around three elements: making and exhibiting, DJing and creating music, and working as a teaching artist – including the recent opening of my art school, Studio Ruby Chew, in May.
I’m trained as a realistic oil painter and have made figurative paintings for many years. You may have seen one of my pieces in the school’s collection from my artist-in-residence position in 2011!
In short, my work is about the complexity of the human experience, inviting viewers to contemplate the layers of reality beyond the surface.
Currently, I’m working on a new body of work that examines the boundaries and connections between realism and abstraction, which is challenging but very exciting.
Along with studying locally, you’ve also attended London’s Central Saint Martins and the Florence Academy of Art. What were those experiences like?
I was incredibly fortunate to receive a Ruth Tuck Scholarship [worth $12,500], which allowed me to study at some of the world’s top art schools.
Central Saint Martins in London was a particular highlight. It challenged me conceptually, pushing me to rethink why I viewed my art practice primarily through the lens of painting. I also had the chance to experiment with new materials and processes.
The environment was a constant buzz of creativity, where I was surrounded by other passionate students. I met artists exploring everything from experimental knitting to performance art and Dadaism. It was amazing.
What inspired you to open your own art school?
I’ve been a teaching artist for over 10 years, working with organisations such as the Adelaide Central School of Art, Adelaide Festival Centre, the Art Gallery of South Australia, Department for Education, and Carclew. I absolutely love it.
During the pandemic, I lost a lot of work across all areas of my practice, which was tough. My colleague, who also lectures at UniSA, had been encouraging me to do my master’s for years to support my teaching artist work. COVID seemed like the perfect time to dive into further study.
I expected the degree to sharpen my teaching skills, but I did not anticipate how it’d also deepen my appreciation for why I teach. This is where some of the key Ignatian values chime in – sparking change in the community.
"Random gigs turned into weekly residencies, and friends’ parties became festivals and large corporate events."
My master’s lit a fire in me to open Studio Ruby Chew – a welcoming art space where students can not only learn skills and techniques but experience the alchemy and magic of art.
The studio is based in Payneham, and I’m currently running afterschool classes for kids and teens, and a school holiday ‘Art Club’ program. Seeing the lightbulb moments when a student learns something new or sees their work come together for the first
time is truly amazing.
Please also tell us more about your DJing.
I started DJing at [former] bar Supermild when I was 18, purely because the DJs there at the time were impressed with my musical tastes! After tagging along with them and picking up the basic skills, I was asked to fill in one night when one was sick. After my first solo set, I was hooked.
I played casually at a few different bars for fun. Then after returning to Adelaide from London, I started to take DJing more seriously. I bought my own equipment, started teaching myself [music software] Ableton, and did a short music production course at TAFE.
Random gigs turned into weekly residencies, and friends’ parties became festivals and large corporate events. My favourite gigs are the ones that overlap with the arts, where all my worlds come together. For example, lately I’ve been DJing at Illuminate and the Adelaide Cabaret Festival.
Pinch-yourself moments of your career?
As an artist – having a sell-out solo exhibition, making an abstract body of work for the first time, and selling my work overseas. As a DJ – playing after Regurgitator at a festival, and at [tennis venue] The Drive to 1000 people.
As a teaching artist – writing and delivering a Ben Quilty-inspired masterclass at the Art Gallery of South Australia, and having Ben himself rock up and introduce himself during the class.
I’m also currently working with the DreamBIG Children’s Festival for 2025, including writing the visual art portion of its learning resource. I’ve always wanted to work with them.
Dr Sam Alfred
(CLASS OF 1988)
The old scholar and past parent of students at the College is now an emergency physician and clinical toxicologist at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
Medicine wasn’t Dr Sam Alfred’s first career choice when he was in high school.
“I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do,” the 53-year-old admits.
“I thought I’d do an arts degree and do languages, arts, and law at university and become a diplomat. But I realised I wasn’t very diplomatic and that wasn’t going to be a very good idea.
“I had other things that I thought I might also want to do, then I realised that they weren’t going to fit.
“Medicine had always been in the back of my mind, and I just got more and more interested in it. I just had that desire to understand how things work. I swapped across to that and medicine ended up being a really good fit. I’ve really enjoyed [working in] it.”
Emergency medicine was Dr Alfred’s first specialty qualification, but he also now splits his time working in toxicology (looking
at the effects of poisons on people). Previously, he also worked in medical retrieval, which even included rock-climbing and abseiling to rescue patients.
“I’ve been lucky to find myself in a position where I’ve been able to pursue a bunch of different things that I’ve liked and found really interesting,” he says.
“It’s not particularly typical to have three different specialty fields. But I’ve found that really enjoyable to be able to just pursue things, out of interest, and change directions when I felt like it and not feel too locked into doing the same thing all the time.
“That’s probably been the most satisfying thing [career-wise], to be able to pursue a bunch of different things – to go to [Burma’s] Myanmar and run snakebite programs and jump out of helicopters [doing medical retrieval] and set up toxicology units and things like that. They’re all quite different, which stops you from getting bored.”
Dealing with others’ suffering on a regular basis hasn’t changed Dr Alfred’s perspective on things either. As he says, it’s “a normal part of life”.
“All those sorts of difficult, traumatic, horrible things that people come to hospitals with, they’re a part of everybody’s life. It’s just, from a society point of view, we’re a bit insulated from it normally. But you can’t escape it. Those sorts of things happen to all of us eventually. I’d just see a little bit more of it than most people do.”
Even still, it’s important for him to switch off when he’s not on the clock. In his spare time, Dr Alfred enjoys spending time with his wife, Meagan, who he actually met at the College, and their three children, plus his old group of mates from school. He also enjoys bushwalking and cycling.
When asked what advice he’d give to current students, Dr Alfred suggests that they don’t stress too much about their senior years.
“There’s a whole lot of pressure put on kids that doing really well in Year 12 is the endpoint and it’s really, really not. There are a whole bunch of forks in the roads and doors that open well after you leave school.
“If you’re smart and you work hard and you find things that you’re interested in, you’re going to be good at them just by virtue of the fact that you like them and you’re getting involved. You can try different things in life – so long as you get it right the fourth time, you still got it right.”
Sam Crafter
(CLASS OF 1993)
The former College vice-captain has gone on to be a leader in the renewable energy realm.
Being the chief executive of SA’s Office of Hydrogen Power wasn’t something that Sam Crafter envisaged when he was in high school.
“I was like many at that age and imagined going off to play cricket for Australia, or footy or soccer,” the 48-year-old says with a smile.
While Sam didn’t go on to pursue his sporting dreams, he has, indeed, made his mark in the professional world. In June, he was honoured as part of the King’s Birthday list, receiving a Public Service Medal for his work reforming the state’s energy sector.
Sam, who’s also been a Santos executive and an advisor to Labor premiers and ministers, says College life helped him hone his leadership skills. This even included attending Jesuit cricket and
soccer carnivals interstate.
“The carnivals are all about having fun and playing sport, but there’s an opportunity to be part of a team too, which is really important. That helps shape how you go about your leadership as you evolve.”
(Sam still keeps in touch with members of the Old Ignatians’ Soccer Club, by the by, along with his friendship group from high school.)
In his professional life, another highlight for Sam has been being behind the team which implemented the state government’s 2017 Energy Plan – including Tesla chief Elon Musk’s ‘big battery’ near Jamestown. The lithium-ion battery provides essential gridsupport services.
On working with Musk, Sam said: “He’s obviously an imposing character, with a unique approach to business. But I think the fascinating thing is the learnings of how he went about approaching that project.
“He was very clear on the ambition that Tesla had about gridscale batteries and making that a part of their mix, with electric vehicles and home batteries. He was fixed on making sure that when this big battery was being built somewhere in the world, Tesla’s technology was going to be used. There’s a real determination in his approach.
“I visited the Tesla factory in San Francisco as well, where the batteries were being made, and that was fantastic. Obviously, it is hard yards and a nonstop workplace environment over there. But everyone who worked for Tesla, in Australia and overseas, was just super-impressive in terms of their outcome-driven approach to getting things done.”
Also an inspiration for Sam during his career? His father, Greg, who was a Member for Parliament and a government minister, and his mother, Rae, a teacher.
“The thing that has always driven me is being able to make a difference, and there’s no doubt that in both politics and teaching, you make an enormous difference in people’s lives,” Sam says.
“For me, it’s been working on this really exciting energy transition to be able to deliver projects that can set a pathway to a better
environmental outcome with our energy mix, but also [offer] more affordable energy for people.”
"For me, it’s been working on this really exciting energy transition to be able to deliver projects that can set a pathway to a better environmental outcome with our energy mix, but also [offer] more affordable energy for people."
With talk of nuclear power as a new player recently, Sam says “all forms of energy” have a role to play in the global energy transition. “Nuclear energy has its merits as part of the energy mix. But the question is: when is it going to be affordable, when is the technology going to be ready, and how does that fit with our rapid growth of renewables?”
For now, Sam’s focused on overseeing a $593m hydrogen power plant at Whyalla, due to be up-and-running by 2026.
