Guest Speaker, Captain Amy Sullivan (nee Curtis) grew up in Wodonga, Victoria and  completed high school at The Scots School Albury in 2002. She undertook a Bachelor in Psychology at the Australian National University in Canberra and graduated with honours in 2006. Amy was commissioned into the Australian Army Psychology Corps in January 2007 and completed postings as a Psychology Officer to Canberra, Townsville and Sydney. In 2011 Amy deployed to rural Queensland with Operation Flood Assist providing psychological support to the flood affected community in the Rockhampton region. She deployed again on two occasions to Afghanistan in 2011 providing psychological services to soldiers based in the Middle East Area of Operations. In 2012 Amy was posted to the 2nd Commando Regiment in Sydney as the special forces psychologist. She deployed with the Commando’s to Afghanistan in 2012. She transferred to the Army Reserves in 2013 and continued working with the special forces in Sydney while completing a Masters in Clinical Psychology. Amy moved back to Wodonga in February this year and continues to work with the ADF in NSW and Victoria as an on-base psychologist and remains in the Army Reserves.

Guest Speaker Carl Rogalski attended high school at Catholic College Wodonga and then worked within the hospitality industry in various roles for 10 years. He later attended Latrobe University completing a Bachelor of Arts (Politics/Sociology) and then completed a Masters of Social Work in 2014. He has now returned to Catholic College Wodonga where he is currently employed as a social worker. He is passionate about working with young people and is looking forward to sharing some insights about his work and the challenges facing young people today.

Tjanara Goreng Goreng is an Aboriginal woman from Central Queensland Australia, with family ties to the Anangu Pitjanjatjara of the Central Desert through her long relationship with Uncle Bob Randall. Her homeland is near Longreach where she was born but also her grandfather’s country of Bam Bam Springs which is Wakka Wakka country. Tjanara Goreng Goreng practices as an Aboriginal Ngungkari (medicine healer) and is also an author and a Songwoman who shares and creates the songs of her clan and traditions

 Guest Speaker, Jon Retford from Wilson Transformer Company has been designing and manufacturing transformers in Australia since 1933. They established a plant in Wodonga in 1981 where they make a range of transformers for the Australian market. There has been a lot of media coverage regarding the demise of manufacturing in Australia. Wilson Transformers continues to defy this trend by providing specialised products into emerging market segments. Jon spoke about the opportunities that exist in the Renewable Energy sector, Data Centres and other markets.

Guest Speaker – Robyn Davis has worked with Aspect as a Classroom Teacher since 2007, having taught in schools for the Dioceses of Wagga and Wagga and Wilcannia Forbes for the previous 18 years. I also worked for the University of New South Wales for many years developing English and Mathematics Tests for States’ Department of Education Basic Skills Testing programs and National Competitions. Working in an Aspect Class is a rewarding experience, so often in mainstream, you have students who you know what they may need in order to succeed but you do not have the resources to be able to do what is needed. Aspect, being evidence based means the program you deliver makes a real and lasting change to the lives of your students and their families. Last year I was appointed as the Co-ordinator responsible for the K-6 Albury classes in our Main Site in Olive Street and our Satellite Classes in St Patrick’s School. It’s great to have the opportunity to support Teachers and Teacher Aides and follow through with the many students I have taught over past years. I have seen the tremendous resources that local service clubs, especially Rotary have been made available for our students and witness each day the fun and joy of play and quality learning experiences these resources offer our students