Earlier this year we interviewed sports reporter, presenter and producer at 10 News First Perth, Rebecca Perrie (nee Killen) from the Class of 1997.

The sports enthusiast has had a fruitful career since her time at the College, with many professional highlights, including covering several Ashes series and interviewing her childhood hero, surfing world champion Kelly Slater! It is no surprise to hear that Rebecca loves her job.

When asked if the subjects she pursued in high school translated to her career she said, “Absolutely!”

Rebecca went onto describe how her favourite subjects were Year 11 English with Ms Ruddy and Year 12 English with Mr Martino, sharing that, “both teachers inspired me with their zest and enthusiasm for story writing and I just remember having fun in their classes by being given the freedom to be creative”.

She also attributed her Year 11 and 12 Drama classes, from which some of her favourite school memories of participating in the productions are from, as having helped with her confidence in front of the camera.

After graduation, Rebecca went on to study a Bachelor of Arts (English) with a double major in Journalism and Film & TV at Curtin University.

She admitted, “I persisted (pestered the sports team!) with work experience at Channel 10 through uni and annoyed them into giving me a job eventually, which started with a traineeship in 2001”. She also worked in radio news and sport at 6PR, Triple M and Nova, before her current role as a sports reporter, presenter and producer at 10 News First Perth.

Rebecca simplifies her job down to her two favoruite things - watching sport and writing stories. She describes her days as varying, but that they usually entail “going to footy training, interviewing inspiring from a variety of sports, and covering sporting events and their lead-up.

I work with a great team to create story ideas, arrange, and conduct interviews and produce vision, write, and edit stories - and on occasion - I sometimes present the sports bulletin too!”

I do In terms of life achievements, Rebecca shares, “my greatest personal achievement is our three daughters and my greatest individual achievement is writing an as-yet unpublished children’s novel”.

With her eldest daughter having commenced at the College in 2022 and her two other children soon to follow, we asked Rebecca how much influence her own favourite memories from school, which included the great people and of course, the sport - watching the Quit Cup footy team success (which included Josh & Matt Carr and Simon Black who went on to AFL careers), had on her decision to send her children here.

“I’ll admit I felt a sense of home when I came back to the school for a tour when considering options for our girls (this may have been because the first thing I saw was Mrs Farrington’s beaming face - she was my Year 9 homeroom teacher)!”

She explained, “as a family, we could see that the school was going to embrace children as individuals - those good at sport, children who had an interest in the arts or technology, as well as those academically gifted. Which brings me back to the importance of finding something to do with the rest of your life that you truly enjoy.

We could see with the attitude of those at the school tour and families with children at the school already - that this would be not only possible at Av�԰�, but a clear focus in their high school journey,” she concluded.

Leaving our students with once piece of advice, Rebecca shared, “I implore high school children to follow your dreams and choose to do something you love - chances are you can find a career in it!”

Fulfilling a dream that began in their years at high school, close friends Anika and Serena now run their own business.

Graduating together in the Class of 2010, the friendship that began in Year 10 at the College evolved into a business partnership, which sees them use their life experience and eye for design in running Kura Studio.

We spoke to Anika and Serena about their journey.

What have the years since you both left Av�԰� looked like and where did the inspiration for Kura Studio come from? 

Our inspiration for Kura Studio stemmed from our high school dream of starting a creative business and working together towards a common goal.

After high school, we both studied Architecture at Curtin University where we learnt about the fundamentals of good design.

We decided to take a gap year after completing our degrees and were lucky enough to be given the opportunity to work for our tutor’s Architecture firm for a year.

We learnt about the realities of the working world & experienced Architectural theory being put into practice.

Following the year of experience at the firm, we both decided to continue our studies and took up our Masters of Architecture at UWA.

During this time, we also went on multiple road trips around Indonesia where we learnt about traditional craftsmanship as well as industrial manufacturing.

We were exposed to the many ways you could accomplish design even if you decided not to go down the traditional route of working in the Architectural industry.

This was really encouraging to us both as we graduated from our Masters during an architectural downturn - It felt like the perfect time to take a side-step, take the risk & start our own business.

Could you explain in more detail the work you do at Kura Studio?

Kura Studio is ultimately a lifestyle brand that promotes good design whilst encouraging a more mindful lifestyle.

We each started by exploring these concepts through both painting and through woodwork.

We would take prints and hand carved timber spoons to the markets and receive all important feedback from the public about what we were doing which encouraged us to think ‘what else could we do’.

It wasn’t until after we took a ceramics short course that we saw the potential in making small batch, specialty ceramic homewares to bridge the gap between cheap mass-produced homewares & high-end luxury goods.

How has your friendship together evolved since Av�԰� days til today?

We have been close friends since Year 10 and have always shared very similar passions and wants from life.

Working together as both friends and business partners has left us feeling very fortunate to be in this position.

What are you most passionate about in the roles you’re currently in?

We love that we’re working towards something we both truly believe in.  As owners of the business, having full control and responsibility over Kura Studio also gives us an authentic sense of purpose.

How did the subjects you pursued in high school translate into your career?

We were both creative during our childhood and this was further explored in high school Art.

Our teachers Mrs Lynch, Ms Pannell and the then art technician Tricia were always very supportive of the both of us and gave us ample opportunities and responsibilities that helped shape us to be the people we are today - which included being joint art captains in our graduating year at the College. 

What are your hopes for the future for Kura Studio?

We hope we can continue providing & promoting good design to the world and for people to see how buying once but buying better can positively impact their lives.

We have of dreams running a shop-house one day to serve the community and maybe host workshops to share our skills and knowledge with the community.

What advice would you share with Av�԰� students?

Follow what you love to do and let it naturally lead you toward a passion. 

Once you find something, be disciplined enough to work hard but also reward yourself with breaks and down-time to keep you inspired.

If you’re struggling to find your passion, it’s helpful to ask yourself what solution to a problem in the world you want to be a part of - this will help give you a sense of purpose.

To learn more about Kura Studio visit: www.kurastudio.com

Graduating from Av�԰� in 2011, Nicola went straight to Murdoch University, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Public Relations, Tourism and Events.

But like many young people in that phase of life, she was unsure of what she wanted to do or which career path to take.

“All I knew was that I wanted a corporate job which involved lots of events and travel - I’ve actually been lucky enough to get that.

“But there I was, in my final year of university, graduating in a few months and thinking I should probably get an internship before leaving.”

Some time later, an opportunity came up with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES), to work in their Media and Corporate Communications team which she jumped at.

“Six years later I’m still here and in a job that I absolutely love!” she says.

Her efforts in her current role at DFES as Marine Services Officer have not gone unnoticed either, recently seeing her awarded the 2021 DFES Corporate Award for Outstanding Individual Contribution.

This significant award was for her work in developing and implementing the new Marine Rescue WA brand across the State and supervising and mentoring three Public Sector Commission Indigenous trainees.

The project involved implementing a State wide re-brand of 37 Marine Rescue groups, standardising vessel livery for over 73 vessels, as well as building signage, business stationary, email addresses, radio callsigns and volunteer uniforms.

“I was 24 at the time and walked into a mammoth project, but after meeting the volunteers and seeing their enthusiasm for the project, it gave me the motivation to do everything I could to make sure they got exactly what they needed,” she said.

Driving the branding project, Nicola also supervised three trainees, both guiding them on working in a corporate environment as well as through any personal issues they were dealing with.

“Seeing them grow from start to finish was so rewarding and two of them are still at DFES, absolutely excelling in their careers and I couldn’t be prouder of them,” Nicola said. 

On her work, Nicola says she has been provided with experiences she would’ve have never imagined possible during her years at Av�԰�.

“I’m extremely thankful for everything my role has given me. From travelling across WA and the Indian Ocean Territories, visiting some of the most remote places all the way from Esperance to Kununurra,” she said.

“I’ve snorkelled with sharks in Cocos Keeling Islands, spotted crocs in Kununurra and caught giant mud crabs in Derby.”

She explained that the experiences made available to her are only possible because of the 1800+ Marine Rescue volunteers across the State who give up their time to help the community.

“Working with these volunteers is genuinely inspiring, they’re out on the water in the early hours of the morning helping a fisherman who has broken down, or searching at night in horrific weather looking for someone’s Dad, brother or friend who never came home.

“What I do in comparison to these people is nothing and it’s really inspiring being able to help them and promote the amazing work they do,” she said.

 On her years at Av�԰�, Nicola says it was the teachers rather than the subjects that made a lasting impression.

“Having teachers that support you and allow you to grow as a young adult was key, people like Miss Cattapan and Mr Guard played a big role in my high school experience.

“The person who made the biggest impression on me though, was the careers advisor at the time, Mrs Middleton,” she said.

“She was the one who put me into a traineeship and was the reason I got into university and am where I am today. People like that are so important to a young person’s growth and are invaluable to the Av�԰� Community.”

Nicola hopes to keep taking each experience as it comes and continue enjoying her job and offered some words of advice to current students.

“Happiness is worth way more than money and if you can find something that brings you both, make sure to hold onto it.

“I’d encourage students not to burden themselves stressing about finding a ‘path’ or a ‘passion’, just enjoy your high school experience because everything will fall into place afterwards,” she said. 

“For me everything started to fall into place at University. For you that might be TAFE or taking a break to decide what you want to do. Just breathe, it’s all going to be fine!”

One of the mentors of the 2021 Av�԰� Christi College Mentor Program, Clarence is no stranger to many around the College.

Graduating from Av�԰� in 2009, the following years saw him pursue a double degree in Engineering (specialising in Mining Engineering) and Commerce (Majoring in Human Resource Management) at the University of Western Australia.

After graduating from UWA with First Class Honours, he began working at the Boddington Bauxite Mine for South32, where he stayed for almost seven years in a variety of roles which included drill and blast design engineering and coordination, drill prep supervision and weekly mine scheduling.

This past year has been an eventful one for Clarence, moving companies to begin working FIFO for BHP as a Weekly Mine Scheduling Engineer at their South Flank Iron Ore Mine.

So what does he do in his role as Weekly Scheduler?

“Essentially, I plan what the operation teams are doing for the week on the mine site,” Clarence explained.

“All the trucks, excavators, drill rigs and blast crew are assigned jobs based on what I plan for the week. It is a very fast paced role that present many challenges, but one which is rewarding.

“I’ve been very fortunate in my career and love the role and the industry I’m in, because of the opportunities within the mining industry.

“Each day as a Weekly Planner, new challenges are brought to my desk, and my job is the ensure each stakeholder is collaborated with so the plan I send out is the most efficient and maximises value.

Speaking about his school years, Clarence says the subjects he studied may not necessarily relate to the work he does now on a daily basis but laid the foundation for his future.

“I took the top two math subjects which were Calculus and Applicable Math, as well as Physics, Chemistry and English 3A/3B. 

“Do I use physics and chemistry daily in my work? No. However, in my role, there are times I’d need to recall what I learnt.

“Those subjects gave me the fundamentals that transitioned through to university and I think that is where its value lies,” he said 

Youth ministry is another passion of his since graduating from Av�԰�, volunteering at St Thomas More Bateman Parish and Catholic Youth Ministry Perth, which has also seen him MC the Australian Catholic Youth Festival for some 5000 youth.

“I didn’t have mentors when I was growing up but remember key people in my life who nurtured me to shape me into the person I am today. I’m so thankful for all the life lessons and have always wanted to give back to the community in which I grew up,” he explained.

Youth ministry has provided him with that opportunity, which he cherishes dearly.

“Ministering to the young people and seeing them grow as young men and women, learning about Christ and their Catholic faith – then themselves stepping up to be youth ministers - that for me is fulfilling.

Part of Clarence’s journey as a Catholic has also seen him recently invested as a Knight with the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, an Order with the task of providing support to the Christian presence in the Holy Land, contributing to the preservation of churches, hospitals, dispensaries, laboratories and social centres.

In his spare time, he is also a black belt in Karate, coaching others at his Dojo in Coogee, and travelled to Japan in 2019 to attend the World ShitoRyu Karate Championships.

Asked what advice he would give to Av�԰� students, Clarence says to take each experience, whether positive or negative, in one’s stride and use it to grow as an individual.

“Difficulties and struggles may come throughout life, but each experience gives you a new opportunity to learn and grow.

“No matter how difficult, far or how scary things may seem, take a leap of faith,” he concluded. 

A member of the Class of 1994, Tanya Pinto has gone on to do some amazing things in the world, which saw her become one of the youngest recipients of the 2012 John Curtin Medal for her humanitarian leadership and service.

After completing her Bachelor of Arts with First Class Honours from Curtin University in 1998, she migrated to the United States and began working in Brand Management for one of the largest independent advertising agencies in the US at the time.

Responsible for brands such as Nokia, Travelocity and many others, Tanya was able to travel around the US and the world producing advertising and brand campaigns.

After about 7 years in advertising however, she felt the need to dedicate some time to service.

“My grandfather was an orphan and although he passed away before I was born, I’d always wanted to volunteer at an orphanage,” she explained.

“So I decided to take a sabbatical from my job in 2005 and left for three months to volunteer at Mother Teresa’s orphanage and home for the dying in Calcutta, India.”

Her decision and the experiences at Mother Teresa’s home were life changing.

After returning to the US, she founded her own non-profit organisation, with the mission of raising funds to help orphans and vulnerable children.

The charity she began in 2006 has now raised almost $2 million to provide over 12,000 children in 12 developing countries with aid that includes food, supplies, clothing, toilets, water wells, education sponsorship and building two schools.

“I was inspired by Mother Teresa whose faith in action was evident. She said if you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.

“Volunteering in India and seeing the immense poverty and suffering left me both sad and overwhelmed.

“However, I realised the immense wisdom of her message and decided to help one child in need with simple clothing and school supplies - and that is how Baal Dan started,” she explained.

“I began raising small amounts of money and would purchase and donate to orphanages whatever supplies I could with the funds raised and from there it grew into what it is today.

“I did not know when I started Baal Dan that we would raise enough money to build one school, let alone two.

“I take every day and every dollar raised as they come and try to do my best with it. I believe that one of the ways to break the cycle of poverty is with education,” she said.

“However, children who are hungry or homeless cannot study - they need to be helped at the most fundamental level, ensuring their human rights to shelter, food, clean water, sanitation and education. It all works together.”

“I hope to continue Baal Dan, raising money and support to help children in need and pray we can all do our part to make life easier for little ones who through no fault of their own are born into places and circumstances where there is unimaginable and unfair suffering and poverty.”

Along with overseeing Baal Dan’s operations, Tanya explained she has also always held full time jobs to cover most of the charity’s administrative and travel costs, so that almost 100% of every dollar donated goes directly to help children in need.

Following the formation of her own boutique consulting company for large Non-Profits and Non-Government Organisations like World Vision International for five years, she joined Microsoft in 2017 as Market Research Director and now holds the role of Principal Product Planner.

Tanya said her school years at Av�԰� Christi are filled with fond memories, and that she has been able to keep in touch with many from her graduating class.

“I especially remember wonderful teachers such as Mr Papineau, Mrs Hawley, Ms Egan, Mr Burns, Mr Martino and too many others to name.

“Although I haven’t lived in Australia since 1998, I’ve also been able to meet up with friends from Av�԰� in the UK and USA while they have also lived, travelled, or worked overseas. 

Concluding with a message to the students of Av�԰�, Tanya expressed the importance of making the most of the school experience and the privileges given. 

“I still remember the Year 12 retreat, rice bowl days, school concerts and events and they all made their mark on me and the person I am today.

“A private Catholic education will set you up with a strong foundation in life – not just with education but with enduring values and habits that will serve you well in your life.

“Teenage years are often filled with insecurity and pressure – nurture friendships and be kind to all so everyone has a better school experience. And don’t forget to have fun!” she concluded.

Curtin University lecturer Dr Mark Hackett (Class of 2002) is a mid-career researcher in the field of analytical chemistry, specifically the development and optimisation of novel elemental and bio-molecular imaging techniques, which are used by neuroscientists to study the mechanisms of brain function and brain disease.

Mark completed his undergraduate degree at Curtin (2006), before completing his PhD at the University of Sydney (2011). From 2011-2016, he embarked on two research fellowships at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada: the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation Fellowship, and a Canadian Institute of Health Research Fellowship.

Av�԰� Spirit spoke to Mark about his journey.

During your time at Av�԰�, what were your favourite subjects and why?

I really enjoyed studying Chemistry and Physics at Av�԰�. This definitely had a lot to do with having fantastic teachers who put me on the right path. I also really enjoy the outdoors (sport, fishing, hiking, swimming, etc), and I was always curious about how “stuff worked” in nature. The ability for Chemistry and Physics to provide definitive answers about the natural world really appealed to me. For example, why does a blue manna crab turn from blue to red when you cook it? Why is our blood red? These sorts of questions always interested me, and science could provide answers.

Did these subjects translate into your academic career?

I am still using Chemistry, Physics and Maths every day. We also do a lot of report writing in my job. Although I didn’t realise it at the time, the skill of communicating an argument or an idea through writing (which I had been taught in English and social studies), has also ended up being very important to my job.

Had you always wanted to live overseas?

I was petrified about leaving Perth, right up until the point I did (including the car trip to the airport). I never really had a desire to travel, but the scholarship to go to Sydney seemed like a great opportunity – and if I hated it, I could always come back. I ended up loving Sydney.

I was lucky enough to go on several trips overseas during my PhD, and really enjoyed meeting scientists from different countries.

I also was introduced to a really fancy machine during my PhD, a particle accelerator called a synchrotron (they have made appearances in Iron Man, Breaking Bad, and Big Bang Theory). Australia was only building our first synchrotron at the end of my PhD, but there were already a handful in North America. The opportunity to go live in Canada meant I would have a synchrotron in my backyard, as well as regular access to one at Stanford University in California.

I had decided by this stage that I wanted a career working in synchrotron science, so if I wanted a job in that area back in Australia, I had to get ‘on the job training’ at a fully operational synchrotron facility – so I moved to Canada.

What were some highlights during your time in Canada?

I loved my job as a scientist in Canada – from memory our research team consisted of people from seven different countries, which was a lot of fun – as well as the diversity in science when working overseas.

For someone who loves the outdoors, Canada is amazing. My favourite memories include holidays in the Rocky Mountains, learning to ski, and summertime camping trips by a lake.

What achievement/s are you most proud?

After my PhD, I had decided I really wanted a career as a scientist. Being able to build a career in science has been really rewarding. I am fortunate that in my current role I get to work on a range of projects, ranging from trying to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, developing new ways to monitor environmental pollution, and identifying better strategies for food production.

In terms of my personal life, I met my partner Brittney in Canada, and we had to do a long-distance relationship for several years in order to establish our own careers. On the back of that we have now been able to set up a wonderful life together in Perth, which we are both very proud of.

What’s some advice you would share with Av�԰� students?

1) Be kind. It takes very little effort to be kind (it takes way more effort to be mean). You will never really know everything that is happening in someone else’s life, but by being kind you can make a huge difference.

2) Make the most of your opportunities to learn. It doesn’t matter how “smart” you are, everyone can learn.

Sharyn Fleming (née Wenlock) graduated from Av�԰� Christi in 1997. During her time at the College Sharyn had a passion for the arts and was involved in the music program – playing the flute in the band, attending vocal lessons with Mary Turner and performing as part of the Senior Choir. Looking back, one of her favourite memories of her school years was spending time in the music room.

Her passion for the Arts and music in particular has continued since graduation, with Sharyn having performed in many shows and musicals across Perth and regularly performing for aged care clients.

Productions she has appeared in include: We Will Rock You (Platinum Entertainment) at His Majesty’s Theatre, The Quarry Amphitheatre and Mandurah Performing Arts centre; understudy to the role of Killer Queen in a 2019 production of Jesus Christ Superstar (Platinum Entertainment); and most recently her two dream shows of Les Miserables (Marloo Theatre) and Jekyll and Hyde (Laughing Horse Productions), playing Lady Beaconsfield in the latter.

Sharyn’s one piece of advice for Av�԰� students is ‘to follow your dreams’, a sentiment that she has followed through, having launched her vocal coaching and entertainment business ‘Local Vocals’ in 2018. Through this business she offers private vocal tuition, performances for private functions, MCing, DJing and karaoke.

In addition to this business, she is currently working part-time as a nurse and also teaches at Curtin University, having completed her Nursing degree at Edith Cowan University in 2003 and Diploma of Midwifery at Curtin University in 2007.

She quotes her proudest achievement since finishing at Av�԰� as, ‘Starting my own business and seeing my students improve their singing and follow their dreams’.

To find out more about Local Vocals please visit: 

Scott McArdle’s award-winning coming-of-age play Playthings will return to the stage for Black Swan State Theatre Company’s 2021 season. The 2019 play was a success in its original run at The Blue Room Theatre, winning Members’ Choice the theatre’s annual awards and impressing local critics.  

The story is inspired by real life events from his high school days.

‘Arnold and Lucy are a combination of everyone I grew up with and myself,’ he told Av�԰� Spirit. ‘They’re going through what we all went through as teenagers. They yell at their parents (and regret it), they say dumb things to seem cool, they fumble awkwardly around romance, and they freak out about homework. And that’s great! Being a teenager is great – it’s confusing and emotional at the time but it’s also when we grow up, when we become individuals and have our own ideas and thoughts outside our parents.’

Playthings also delves into mental illness, something Scott experienced during adolescence. ‘When I was a teenager, I struggled horribly with depression. Things happened in my life that everyone said “should never happen to a kid”. This play is my reassurance to every kid who’s struggling that it does get better, but only when we help each other.’

Scott’s passion for the Arts took hold while at Av�԰� Christi. Drama teacher Mrs Sally Floyd provided early encouragement and showed him that the performing arts was more than just acting, also involving writing and staging, amongst other facets. Scott remembers the sense of community in the College productions Mrs Floyd directed – Fiddler on the Roof and Oliver! – and has since striven to imbue this in his own productions. In Year 12, Scott won the Drama Award and the Arts Leadership Award. 

He went on to attain a Bachelor of Arts (Theatre & Drama) with Honours in English and Creative Arts from Murdoch University, and attended NIDA briefly in 2015 before studying at WAAPA from 2016-2018. He has worked in the independent theatre sector as a writer and director for many years.

Asked by Av�԰� Spirit about the benefits of getting involved in Drama productions (either in high school or beyond), Scott advised the following: ‘Even if you don’t want to be a professional artist, there are so many social and physical benefits to taking part in theatre.

Studies show that being in the performing arts (as a hobby or a profession) has massive benefits on your mental health, assists with public speaking and socialising, and increases your overall confidence.

‘The Arts is filled with a huge range of people from all over the world. We gather together to share stories, learn from each other, and grow. It doesn’t get much better than that.’

For more on Playthings, visit

WA HomeStay’s Amanda Walker (NEE Montagu) has cemented her status as one of the state’s leading entrepreneurs by winning the 40 Under 40 Award at The Australian Business Awards. Undeterred by the presence of Airbnb and Stayz in the holiday rental online marketplace, Amanda set up her online booking platform two years ago and has since seen remarkable success with offering local homes to travellers. 

‘We are different because we only charge guests a 5 percent booking fee, compared to others that charge up to 20 percent,’ she told Community News’ Carmelle Wilkinson (also Class of 1998). ‘We believe a local booking platform is fairer for both owners and guests, as it gives back to the WA community and promotes sustainable tourism at the same time.’

Amanda was due to receive the honour in March, but the onset of COVID-19 delayed the ceremony to September. While the unprecedented global health crisis had a significant effect worldwide, it was especially felt in Western Australia due to a hard border closure restricting travel. However, with West Australians seeking to holiday within the state, demand for local holiday rentals is picking back up again.  

Amanda is a believer in ‘giving it a go’, where anything is possible if you search for and find the right way to go about it. After graduating from Av�԰� Christi, Amanda went on to attain a Business degree from Curtin University before then working in corporate finance at global advisory firm BDO. She travelled the world and fell in love with exploring, and on return to Perth retrained as a teacher – in her view, a great exercise in forming meaningful relationships. When the idea for WA HomeStay came to her in 2018, she then drew on all the skills she’d acquired from every aspect of her journey to bring her vision to life.

These skills dated back to her time in high school. Reflecting on her time at Av�԰�, she told Av�԰� Spirit, ‘The most valuable part was working out how I learnt best. Trying different study techniques and working out what worked helped me through uni and beyond.’ The camps are her favourite memory, where students were pushed out of their comfort zones through climbing, orienteering and working as a team, all while having fun. 

Her advice for fellow Av�԰� community members: ‘Everything you learn has a use. Even if you are only in a job for a relatively small amount of time, the skills you learn will help you in other facets of your life. Make the most of every opportunity.’ 

For more on WA HomeStay, visit:
www.wahomestay.com.au/

Setting goals and keeping motivated is key to achieving personal and professional growth. Digital Marketing guru Ryan Khong (Class of 2010) is a living example of the strides you can make through drive and dedication. Av�԰� Spirit caught up with Ryan after he was crowned ‘Supernova of the Year’ at the 2020 Av�԰�aign Brief WA Awards in April.

‘I’m super stoked to have won,’ Ryan said. ‘Ever since graduating from Av�԰� Christi College in 2010 I have been continuously striving to create new businesses and projects which push me out of my comfort zone and have allowed my career to grow.’

Ryan’s first taste of the industry was during his time at Murdoch University, where he studied a Bachelor of Interactive Digital Design. He started events promotion company Majesty Inc in the back half of his degree, with fellow Class of 2010 alum Stephen Murgia and Joshua Van Vugt. After graduation he commenced at WebSmart Design as a Web Designer/Digital Account Manager, however, landing a day job didn’t stop Ryan from pursuing other opportunities. He created food truck brand Pauly K’s Kitchen with his father, and also initiated Perth Food Adventures, collaborating with major brands in the hospitality industry.

The next step became clearer in 2016. ‘Whilst working at the WebSmart Design position, I managed clientele and learned how to take the initiative in this digital industry,’ Ryan explained. ‘I launched my “side-hustle” Word of Mouth Agency, specialising in Web Design, Branding, Social Media Management, Content Creation & Digital Marketing (SEO, Google AdWords). Some major projects and brands I’ve personally worked with since its launch date are LJ Hooker, Salon Express, IGA, Dome & Snap Fitness.’

Even a casual role at Swan Yacht Club when his WebSmart Design role moved to part-time in 2017 led to accolades in innovation and promotions. Ryan led the club to back-to-back wins for marketing at the Clubs WA Industry Awards of Excellence in 2018 and 2019.

Seeing an opportunity to shore up their market position and advance their enterprise further, Ryan and his agency business partner Adam Perich (Class of 2010) bought the goodwill and existing clients of the WebSmart Design business from his former employer in March 2019. They settled both businesses into an office space in Applecross and focused on setting achievable goals in leadership and growth, expanding their team by hiring three staff.

‘At this present moment, I am aiming to grow Word of Mouth Agency as my core business in the digital media industry of Perth by continuing to spread the word, take on bigger clients, expand our internal team and work with like-minded people to make a confident mark as an upcoming agency.’

He has encouraging and reassuring words for current students contemplating their career goals. ‘If you don’t know what you want to pursue after graduating – don’t stress! If you do, that’s great. But don’t rush it! You have all the time in the world to figure out what you’re passionate about. Don’t compare your life to others. Everyone is moving at their own pace.’

For more information on Word of Mouth Agency, visit

The Archdiocese of Perth recently featured Brianna Mowatt’s work with Identitywa as part of the Archbishop’s 2020 Winter Appeal for LifeLink, which was launched in May with the aim of raising funds to directly help people in real need throughout Western Australia.  

The Psychology graduate spent five years balancing her studies at Curtin University with a part-time role in disability support at the Archdiocesan agency. In assisting with providing personalised support to people living with disability, as well as their families, Brianna was able to witness the real difference such support can make. 

She described an experience where helping two siblings learn how to ride a bike was so much more than facilitating play. 

‘After many weeks of persevering through each of their individual challenges and setbacks, they both, much to their delight, eventually achieved their goal!’ she told the Archdiocese. ‘It demonstrated their defining qualities, like their motivation and goal-orientated behaviour – qualities which I believe were so important for their ultimate development to be healthy and happy adults.’ 

Brianna’s community-minded focus and ability to connect with others was fostered during her time at the College. She served as Salvado House Prefect and was active in numerous team sports, as well as Inter-house play. Her favourite memory from school, however, was being a part of the Mulan Immersion in Year 11. 

She told the College, ‘A group of eight students, myself and teachers travelled to the Aboriginal community of Mulan in the East Kimberley where we spent a week working with and supporting Aboriginal children build social skills and reach educational targets in their school and the community. This experience really opened up my mind to different cultures from my own and has stayed with me ever since! I believe it helped shaped my positive outlook and acceptance of others.’

In similar fashion, working at Identitywa has contributed immensely to her development.

‘I’ve learnt tolerance and patience and I am much more knowledgeable and understanding of people with varying abilities.

‘My Identitywa experience has taught me how to effectively and practically communicate, which I know will be extremely valuable in my chosen career.’

With her work at the agency now complete, Brianna now intends to pursue a career as a Child Protection Worker. Her journey so far is a testament to the value of being involved with organisations, including schools, that promote equity and inclusion.

To donate to LifeLink, visit 

You can also read the Archbishop’s letter by 

Finding out what a client needs and how best to meet these needs is a process most of us engage with in the course of our work. However, it’s also important for us to question and discover what we need for ourselves so we can reach our God-given potential, both in our professional and personal lives. Aaron Dark (Class of 2007) can attest to the importance of curiosity – one of the four pillars of the College’s Vision for Learning – in achieving our goals.

In his role as an Experience Designer at Bankwest, Aaron researches customer needs and creates design experiences with an eye to being both functional and enjoyable. It’s a challenge that requires creative, innovative thinking. However, he didn’t always know he would end up in such a role. Aaron didn’t know what he wanted to do after Year 12, so studied the subjects he was most passionate about. Attaining Certificates in music and IT allowed him to explore his interests and strengths. He then began studying graphic design at Curtin University before switching to advertising and ultimately settling on print design and branding. After working several years as a print designer, he made the leap to UX/UI – designing mobile app and website experiences.

In hindsight, Aaron can see how his time at Av�԰� set him up for lifelong learning, encouraging him to connect with others and follow the spark of curiosity. He explained:

“The two retreats we went on were huge highlights for me. It pushed me to reflect on the person I was and gain self-awareness – all while getting to know other students who I’d never talked to. 

Of course, I didn’t realise that at the time, but looking back at how curious I was to explore other students' backstories and learn about them probably nudged me closer to my current profession.”

In addition to his role at the bank, Aaron is in collaboration with Learning Support specialist Andrew Thomas and teacher Carl Owen on a project called ATAR Support, an online education resource for ATAR revision and examination preparation. Tuition is recorded from materials provided by subject matter experts, and students can watch the recordings on-demand with the ability to pause, rewind and rewatch. The idea grew out of a previous project which created accessible revision materials for the Online Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (OLNA). The team had identified a significant gap in terms of accessible online delivery for students nationwide and went to work on developing resources that would meet these needs. With the current challenges in education worldwide, these supplements are needed more than ever.

Asked for advice for current students, Aaron said his ‘hack’ was as simple as asking the question. “If you don’t know, ask. You may feel dumb once, but never again. 

It’s amazing how much you can achieve if you just ask. The doors that open and the opportunities created are unfathomable. So ask the questions, go the extra distance and be curious about anything you don’t know.”

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ATAR Support is currently offering one month of free support for students graduating this year. Visit to find out more information.

Seasoned traveller Josh Low (Class of 2008) is embarking on an evangelisation mission with the Missioners of Christ in Comayagua, Honduras – an avenue for service that will allow him to serve the poorest of the poor.

It’s a calling that the journalist felt compelled to answer after reflecting on all the blessings bestowed on him in his own life, and what the Lord was calling him to do to put his faith into action.

‘More than 66% of Hondurans live in poverty, with many living on less than $2 USD a day,’ Josh explained. ‘I’ve been very blessed in my life, in all I’ve seen and experienced across the world, so giving back from what I’ve received is at the heart of this decision.’ 

Josh was most recently a media content producer at the Catholic Archdiocese of Perth / The Record magazine. However, if someone had asked him in his high school years if he would ever take on such a selfless challenge, he says he’d probably have responded in the negative.

He explained that his years in high school saw him not overly involved in his studies - preferring soccer to academics, and being present at Av�԰� and his parish without whole-heartedly participating in faith formation.

Although he eventually completed his tertiary studies at Murdoch University,  the experiences afforded to him through travelling to 56 countries  – whether for army service, study, work or leisure –  is where he says he gained the most valuable life skills, which include acquiring and developing Mandarin, Italian, Spanish and Russian (and some Croatian). 

The true lesson in his faith journey, however, manifested on recent trips to South America and Europe, where God consistently made himself known to him in deep and lasting ways, experiencing encounters beyond the realm of coincidence or luck.

It was through these unique moments that he realised God hadn’t been at the centre of his life. Essentially, he felt that life had been all about himself, and said the travels, experiences and all the enjoyment along the way had all been self-focused, instead of on God and His will. 

Because of this, spurred on by the words of St Teresa of Avila, that ‘Christ has no body but yours’, he desired to turn back to God, step out of his comfort zone and serve others out of love for the Lord and His Church.

He cites Romans 8:28 as a key, recurring sign that he is on the right path: ‘And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, and are the called according to His purpose.’

‘The evangelisation efforts of others over the past decade have had a profound impact on me and has led to where I am now, with a desire to humbly offer myself and my gifts and talents in a more radical way,’ he said.

When asked for a piece of advice for current Av�԰� students, Josh offered a quote he himself was recently told.

‘Being a good person is not enough. The difference between being a good person and a holy person is the source of the standard. To be a good person, we set our own standards for what it means to be good, whereas to be holy, God sets the standard. And holiness is worth striving for right here, right now.’

‘And in the words of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the world offers you comfort, but you were not made for comfort, you were made for greatness.’

To follow Josh's journey, visit

During his time at the College, Peter Ho immersed himself in the Arts, which led to his role as Arts Captain and receiving College Colours for Drama in his final year.   

As Peter reflects on his time at Av�԰�, he declares that, ‘Every production I did has a special place in my heart as they all helped me discover my love for the arts. However, the production of Guys and Dolls in 2016 will always be a favourite, as it was my first every musical. It’s not every day where I get to play a charming, cool and slick character like Sky Masterson. Mainly, it was the best learning experience to get to perform with my friends and to work with Mr Dove and music teacher Mr Harries, introducing me into the world of Musicals; changing my path in life.’ 

Upon graduating, Peter decided to spend his first year out of school undertaking part-time study at Curtin University, with his main goal being to train for an audition with WAAPA at the end of 2018.  

Part-time study gave him the opportunity to work towards his goal, using his spare time to take dance classes, vocal lessons and gain further stage experience by performing in plays and musicals. He featured in VERGE, a student written, horror/thriller play at Curtin and was a supporting lead in the musical Be More Chill with Phoenix Theatre Company. The latter was submitted and performed at the Fringe Festival in late January 2019. Being involved in the festival was an eye-opening experience both into the industry and the arts community in Perth. The experience confirmed his love for acting & music theatre and wanting to chase his dreams of a career in the industry. 

At the end of the 2018, Peter’s dedication paid off, with a successful audition and acceptance into the Diploma of Musical Theatre for 2019 at WAAPA. It was a one-year, full-time course where he honed his skills and worked harder than ever before. He shares that he ‘met a wonderful group of friends and teachers who helped me to further establish the skills I needed to achieve my goal for 2019: to get into a Bachelor course.’  

Recently, Peter put all of his hard work to the test and auditioned for four drama schools across Australia. He was fortunate enough to receive an early offer to study at Elder Conservatorium of Music in Adelaide, and finally an offer at WAAPA, achieving his ultimate goal of getting into a Bachelor Course of Music Theatre for 2020. As one of the most challenging Performing Arts places to attain in WA, this accolade is a testament to his talent and potential. By setting a goal and mapping out how to get there, Peter showed that perseverance and self-belief can be as important as raw talent. 

Peter acknowledges, ‘All these achievements and goals I’ve reached, I couldn’t have done it by myself. I’m forever grateful to have met all the teachers, coaches and friends who have helped and who will continue to help me for the next few years. Yes, it takes individual practice and hard work, but the community, learning from others and sharing in the experience with others is invaluable.’ 

At Av�԰� Christi College, we believe in providing a well-rounded education that sets up our graduates to be lifelong learners and global citizens. Veronica Santoro (Class of 2006) is an example of someone who has embodied the Av�԰� learner profile, exploring her talents and interests after graduation and becoming a worldly, accomplished member of society.   

Veronica took up many of the opportunities on offer during her time in high school. She was a member of Chamber Choir, an inaugural member of the Barbershop group, played in the Guitar ensemble, and travelled to Singapore on a Music tour. She participated in several Catholic Performing Arts Festivals, receiving the shield for Best Vocal Solo (Secondary) in Year 10, and in Year 11 played the lead role of Dorothy in the College Production of The Wizard of Oz. With such enthusiasm and commitment, it should come as no surprise that she went on to serve as both Music Captain and a House Captain in Year 12. In addition to being awarded Colours for Music, Veronica received the Sequere Dominum Award – one of the College’s highest honours. 

After graduation, Veronica went on to complete a Bachelor of Pharmacy at Curtin University, which led to her working as a Clinical Pharmacist at Royal Perth Hospital and assisting in the set-up of the Pharmacy department at the new St John of God in Midland. Recently, she also completed a postgraduate diploma in Clinical Pharmacy from the University of Tasmania.   

While pursuing her career goals, Veronica still kept up her interest in Music and performance. She took on lead roles with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of WA, performed in recitals with Art Song Perth, and completed her AMEB Singing exams. In 2013, she travelled to Italy for a summer in Florence learning and performing Bel Canto (Italian operatic singing). On winning a performance award during this trip, she was flown to New York State for further recitals where she was able to showcase her God-given talent. Not done quite yet, and knowing she was able to give back to the community, she then organised a recital in Perth on her return, successfully raising funds for the Leukaemia Foundation.  

Beyond work and performance, Veronica has taken the time to travel the world and immerse herself in these experiences. She lived in London for a period shortly after getting married in 2015. She now has two boys – a three year old and one year old – whom she describes as ‘beautiful’ and ‘energetic’. She has recently returned to work after maternity leave and is enjoying motherhood.  

On reflecting on her journey so far, Veronica says she feels ‘truly blessed’ by the opportunities she’s had resulting from her education. At Av�԰�, we are invested in the personal, professional and spiritual growth of our community members, and it’s updates like Veronica’s that affirm our College’s mission. Each student is more than just one talent, one interest, one goal – there is much to life beyond secondary education, and we look forward to seeing what our alumni achieve next! 

At Av�԰� Christi College, our mission is to be a Catholic community committed to empowering every learner to serve and enrich our changing world. In an increasingly globalised world fraught with socio-political and economic challenges, it’s important more than ever to connect with the communities beyond our neighbourhood and borders.

Anthony Spagnolo (Class of 2005), Senior Advisor to federal Finance Minister Senator Mathias Cormann, learned about the world in depth when he completed a double degree in Commerce and Arts at the University of Western Australia, majoring in Accounting, Corporate Finance and Political Science & International Relations. But even before graduating university, Anthony felt called to go beyond the pages of a textbook: 

‘I’ve always been both a problem solver and a community-oriented sort of a person. My quest to connect with people from a diverse range of backgrounds, to understand and empathise with their sentiments and expand upon my ability to solve problems took me on a journey to West Africa as a Christian missionary in 2009,’ he explained.  

This undertaking to serve, connect and discover is echoed in the College’s immersion programs to Cambodia and Beagle Bay, where students have a unique opportunity to contribute to the local community whilst also nurturing their own spiritual and cultural growth. The life-long benefits of Anthony’s decision confirm that such experiences – whether taken up while at Av�԰� or at a later stage of life – are well and truly worth it.

Anthony says, ‘Being able to mingle in the midst of locals for three months in a remote village, seeing the world the way they do, and developing the ability to show empathy to situations we, in the developed world, almost never go through remains in my eyes to be an experience I cherish since graduating from Av�԰� Christi College. That was a life changing experience that has taught me many things a conventional education often struggles to. I was able to import the lessons from that journey in to my professional and public service pathways that I have dabbled in ever since.’ 

In June of this year, Anthony took up a promotion to his current position, where he works directly on the Federal Budget, prepares advice for Cabinet and the Expenditure Review Committee, and negotiates and delivers policy with the Prime Minister’s and Treasurer’s senior staff. With government directives affecting millions of lives, it’s a role where empathy and problem-solving can go a long way.  

His advice for current Av�԰� students? ‘Every student identifies subjects we’re taught at school as either “fun” or “boring”. The one piece of advice I would love to give Av�԰� students is to never ever underestimate the value of things you might think right now are boring. I used to be like that with a few subjects. It’s not until you leave school and take a deep dive into the real world that you realise how lucky you were that the curriculum included such a diverse range of education options. High school years are the best of your life and we ought to never take for granted the true scale of wisdom we can acquire in those years, especially at a school like Av�԰� Christi.’ 

20-year-old Min Woo Lee continues to impress as one of Australia’s most talented young golfers. After much success as an amateur – including winning the US Boys’ Junior Amateur Championship in 2016 – Min Woo turned professional in January this year. 

The right-hander has already notched up strong showings on the European Tour, competing in tournaments in Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia and Germany. He recently returned to Perth via the United States to compete in the Super 6 at Lake Karrinyup, before globe-trotting back to Oman, then Qatar, completing upwards of 60,000km of travel this year alone.

‘The first year as a pro is tough, but if I’m travelling around the world and playing prestigious events, I’m doing well,’ he recently told AAP. ‘I’m doing great with the travel. It’s important to sleep on planes and maintain gym work, as well being disciplined with my nutrition and hydration. But, hey, it helps when you are 20.’

A member of the Royal Fremantle Golf Club, Min Woo competed in junior amateur tournaments while in secondary school. Sports Coordinator James Howard remembers Min Woo as an exemplar athlete and team player: ‘Min was a humble, well-mannered student who despite his heavy roster of golfing commitments would always step up to represent the College. Whether it was basketball, swimming or athletics he took pride in representing, and enjoyed nothing more than playing for and with his mates.’

Inspired by his older sister Minjee (Class of 2013) – World Number 3 and Australia’s top-ranked female golfer and four-time LPGA Tour winner – Min Woo hopes to eventually secure a tour card to compete in the United States on the PGA Tour. 

It’s a goal Head of Year (and keen golfer himself) Simon Messer believes is possible. ‘It was very clear that during Min’s time at the College he had the ingredients to be successful. He had goals, determination, an excellent work ethic and a hunger for improvement. On top of this he was polite, respectful and was still able to put the needs of others before his own. We are all very proud to see his hard work coming to fruition.’

The College is supportive of student athletes who excel in sports at school and outside of school, and hopes current students will be inspired by both Min Woo’s and Minjee’s international successes. 

Follow Min Woo’s journey via the social channels below:

Up-and-coming actor Rigel Paciente (Class of 2015) recently starred in Murdoch Theatre Company’s original musical The Killdeer. Written and directed by Taylor Broadley, with music by the Cinnamon Line, The Killdeer follows the story of Elliot, who is returned to his family five years after being abducted at age 11. Rigel played the character of Roger.

‘As much as I loved the other roles that I have played, Roger’s complex characterisation has been something that I have thoroughly enjoyed exploring. As such, I would say that The Killdeer is, by far, the most enjoyable and memorable experience during my involvement in the theatre (sorry, Mr. Dove),’ said Rigel.

While at Av�԰�, Rigel starred in multiple College productions: Romeo in 2012’s Romeo and Juliet; Bugsy Malone in 2013’s Cagey Joe; and 2015’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. After graduating, Rigel commenced his Bachelor of Science majoring in Anatomy and Neuroscience at the University of Western Australia. Determined to still be involved in performing arts, Rigel secured roles in productions staged by UWA’s much-lauded theatre clubs UWA Pantomine Society (PantoSoc) and University Dramatic Society (UDS) in 2016. Rigel took a break from theatre in 2017 to assume a leadership position on the UWA Student Guild Council, before returning the following year to perform with Show Choir at UWA and a winning a coveted lead role in Murdoch Theatre Company’s play Sour Fruits. 

Asked if he had any advice for any budding actors at Av�԰�, Riger said, ‘Keeping your body, mind, and soul at their highest potential will allow you to create amazing art when the opportunity arises. Taking care of your mind and conditioning yourself to think a certain way will alleviate any stress, anxiety, or feeling of worthlessness – [this is] crucial to committing to that audition or role. It is easier said than done; I, too, am still working on this. These stresses might stem from fear of rejection, however, rejection is inevitable regardless of your talent or abilities. Also, practice. As cliched as this sounds, success is 90% practice and 10% talent.’

What’s next for Rigel? Set to graduate this year, he plans on enrolling in a Masters in Biomedical Science before going on to study Medicine. However, if permitted, he also wishes to undertake a Diploma of Musical Theatre at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) whilst studying his Masters.
In the meantime, he will also keep auditioning for various productions at local companies. With his impressive track record and healthy mindset, we have no doubt Rigel will be treading the boards for years to come.

Since graduating from Av�԰� Christi College in 2003, Luke has ventured down several professional pathways, including working in the Sports industry while completing his university degree before ‘finding his groove’ as a successful real estate agent in Perth’s southern suburbs. But it was a passion for travelling the world that led to him and his partner Erlyn signing up for a new adventure: Remote Year.

Founded by two friends in the United States, Remote Year is a working travel program that facilitates 12 months of travel for professionals, entrepreneurs and digital nomads. The premise of the program is that participants keep their existing jobs in their home country and embark on a year of world travel, living in 12 countries for one month each. The company arranges an apartment and workspace in each respective city, as well as flights and a series of cultured local events. With approximately 45 other participants in each program from all around the world, the networking and professional development opportunities are invaluable. 

The program is a natural fit for Luke, who has spent most of the last 15 years using annual leave to take shorter holiday trips. He and Erlyn decided that they had an itch that needed to be scratched: ‘We have travelled together extensively but never for more then 2 – 3 weeks. We felt that we needed to get away for an extended period of time but obviously needed to keep working to be able to fund it.’

Speaking from his apartment in Marrakesh, Morocco in November 2018 (month 11 of 12) Luke shared his experiences with Av�԰� Spirit. ‘It has been the experience of a lifetime. Spending a month in each country while still working really gives you a taste of being a local rather than a tourist,’ he said. While travelling alone or as a couple was an option, Luke explained that one of the biggest benefits of the program has been the lifelong friends he and Erlyn have made from within their group.

Asked if he would recommend the program, Luke gave a resounding yes. ‘If there is any possibility that you can shift your current role and work remotely, take it with both hands. I have been involved in more interesting and diverse experiences this year then I have in the last 15 combined – the life experience has been second to none.’

2019 will see Luke and Erlyn return to Perth with a renewed lease on life. ‘I think after 58 flights and over 250 hours on planes, it is time to be back in Perth for a while. It is amazing the path that life takes you. I wasn’t really sure of what I wanted to do post high school and if you’d told me in 2003 that I would be where I am today, I would have never believed it,’ Luke said.

For more information on Remote Year, visit the website
For more information on Luke’s experiences, please feel free to get in touch with Luke via email or social media:

lddawson86@gmail.com

Brooke is a fashion designer who brings life to a unique but timeless aesthetic with a passionate focus on quality. Her name-sake label Brooke Da Cruz produces luxurious pieces that enable the wearer to feel amazing inside and out. Each piece adheres to the brand’s sustainable and ethical values, with materials consciously sourced to minimise harm to our planet – a philosophy which enhances rather than compromises their beauty.

During her time at Av�԰� Christi College Brooke undertook studies in fashion textiles, art and design and small business. Upon graduating in 2007, she decided to pursue further education in these fields. Brooke completed her Advanced Diploma in Fashion Design and Technology from the West Australian Institute of Fashion Design in 2010, where she also won the Pret-a-Porter Collection of the Year award along with other accolades, including showing her pieces at Telstra Perth Fashion Festival. She then headed to London to work with a master couturier and expand upon her skills. From London, Brooke travelled quite extensively all the while being further inspired to create a brand encapsulating her experiences and insights; a label based on integrity which harmonises her passions for design and this beautiful planet Earth.

Upon returning to Perth, Brooke continues to develop her unique design philosophy. She has mastered her skills in fitting the woman’s body through years of working as chief fitter in bridal, and her technical mind is drawn to creating pieces built to support and highlight powerful feminine aesthetics.

The Brooke Da Cruz label comes out of a strong belief in creativity and freedom. The garments are engineered to be visually striking, yet easy to wear: with practical details that go easily from day to night and sometimes metamorphose within themselves.  Each style is wear-tested to guarantee a flattering, comfortable fit and sturdy construction, ensuring that these un-basic pieces will be wardrobe staples for years to come

Brooke Da Cruz has been featured in many magazines, is stocked in several online stores, as well as three Perth stores so far: Periscope clothing in Northbridge, Atelier on George in East Fremantle and Hatch in Garden City.

You can check out more of Brooke’s work here: