Balwyn High School’s Alumni Program
Officially established in 2024, Balwyn High School has an extensive network of past students from all occupations and lifestyles.
Our alumni program exists to promote the welfare and advancement our current Balwyn High School students through the activities of our past students, and to help our past students stay in touch with the school via our social media channels, school newsletter, alumni newsletter, school events and other communication.
Sign-Up to the Alumni Program
If you attended Balwyn High School for your secondary education, you are a Balwyn High School alumni, and we would love you to join our alumni program. It’s FREE to join. Please allow 5-7 minutes to complete this form accurately. Your responses will help us to communicate with you effectively.
Alumni Spotlight. Share Your Story.
The Lion school newsletter, social media channels and alumni newsletter continue to feature wonderful Alumni Spotlights. With 1000’s of Balwyn High School graduates and counting, our alumni are making their mark across the world. For your chance to be spotlighted, we invite you to share your journey with us since graduating from Balwyn High School.
Alumni Spotlights
Graduate Aerospace Engineer
Where has life taken you since graduating from Balwyn High School?
After graduating from my Balwyn High, I went straight into university – engineering was an obvious choice for me as I have always loved science and problem solving. I started at Monash University in 2020, and chose to specialise in Aerospace after my first year of study.
Like many others who attended school during covid, I completed the majority of my degree remotely, missing out on fun pracs and what was supposed to be the most engaging learning experience of my life. Throughout my whole degree I was still unsure of what I wanted to do after university.
When I learned that an engineering degree can get me a job in many varied fields, I began applying for internships so I could get an idea of what the workforce would be like. I thought I’d be suited to a less technical role, since I struggled with many technical engineering and maths concepts at uni.
In my penultimate year of university, I secured an internship at a bank in a strategy role – something completely unrelated to my degree. Although I enjoyed the role and the culture, I still wasn’t 100% sure about starting my career outside of STEM and wanted to see what a technical role in engineering might have to offer.
I undertook an engineering internship before my last semester at BAE Systems. I thoroughly enjoyed what I was doing, and ended up applying for a graduate position, and now am currently in my first year of their grad program.
Even now, I am doing work that I didn’t think my Aerospace degree would qualify me for, and I am learning more technical and problem solving skills everyday! Although I have only just joined the workforce, I am excited to see where my career takes me and can’t wait for what the future holds.
A little more insight into Kara’s graduate role at BAE Systems.
What is an internship?
Many companies, including BAE Systems, offer internships for undergraduate university students who are in their second to last year of study. It’s a 12-week paid internship that rolls out during the summer break, kicking off in mid-November and wrapping up by mid-February.
More information can be found here about internships at BAE Systems https://www.baesystems.com/en-aus/careers/graduate-and-early-careers#1573679801007
What does BAE Systems do?
BAE Systems is Australia’s most versatile defence and security company; from air and maritime sustainment to shipbuilding. Their strengths and core capabilities include providing the design, manufacture, upgrade and support services to the Australian Defence Force, cyber intelligence and commercial organisations across the country. They offer total capability in vital areas such as through-life support, security, logistics and systems integration.
Australia’s air force, navy and army are required to deploy at short notice virtually anywhere in the world, fully equipped and with a strong, sustainable supply chain. BAE Systems Australia is meeting these challenges — while searching for new ways to provide our customers with a competitive edge across the air, maritime, land and cyber domains.
What is the graduate program (university graduate) at BAE Systems?
The graduate program is a two-year program that provides a university graduate with structured development that fits right into their role. They include extra activities to boost the graduates leadership skills, spark their innovation, and help them to chart the course for their dream career.
The BAE Systems graduate program consists of two streams and the graduate gets a choice between:
1. Stream 1 – Work in one project/department and enjoy the stability and opportunity to develop deep knowledge of that domain.
2. Stream 2 – Undertake three eight-month rotations and develop knowledge and skills in different and dynamic areas of our business.
What is your profession?
Currently have multiple hats with my work.
• Specialist General Practitioner and Skin Cancer Physician.
• Clinical Director of Elevate Medical
• RACGP – College Examiner
• RACGP – Victoria Council Committee Member
Where has life taken you since graduating from Balwyn High School?
After graduating from Balwyn High School, I pursued a Bachelor of Pharmacy and later, a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (Hons) at Monash University.
My professional journey began as a pharmacist, which provided a solid foundation in healthcare. Transitioning into medicine, I gained extensive clinical experience across various specialties, including neurosurgery, cardiothoracic surgery, and ophthalmology.
I have held several positions, from residency at the Royal Melbourne Hospital to now transitioning to a start-up medical practice and becoming my own boss at Elevate Medical.
My career has also included valuable overseas medical volunteering experiences in South Africa, Nepal, Tonga, and China, which have greatly enriched my professional and personal life.
I am also Husband of a beautiful wife and Father to two beautiful kids (boy and girl).
What memorable experiences or achievements have shaped your life since finishing / graduating from Balwyn High School?
• Volunteering in trauma surgery at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in South Africa and ophthalmology in Nepal.
• Serving as a Neurosurgery Registrar at Royal Melbourne Hospital.
• Founding and directing Elevate Medical, focusing on innovative healthcare solutions.
What does your job involve?
As the Principal Director Doctor at Elevate Medical, my responsibilities include overseeing clinical operations, providing patient care, leading a team of healthcare and allied health professionals, and implementing new innovative medical practices and technologies.
What do you most enjoy about your work?
I find immense satisfaction in making a positive impact on patients’ lives through both direct care and innovative healthcare solutions. Leading a dedicated team and continuously learning and growing in my field are also highly rewarding.
What skills or qualities are important in your line of work?
• Strong clinical knowledge and technical skills
• Leadership and team management
• Empathy and effective communication
• Continuous learning and adaptability
What are your favourite memories of your time at Balwyn High School?
• Making a fool out of myself for the year 10/11 High school Talent quest.
• Building lifelong lasting friendships.
How would you describe yourself as a school student?
I was definitely an ambitious and academically driven student. I am thankful of the friendship circle that I had made, whom I still value and keep in touch with.
When you were a student at Balwyn High School, what did you imagine you would do for a career?
I never imagined that I would develop aspirations to be a Doctor. I went to RSPCA thinking that I would become a vet, but passed out due to the sight of blood. Now, my job consists of me cutting out skin cancers for a living. How ironic. I decided on career in pharmacy because I was interested in business and entrepreneurial aspects of life. That greatly inspired my desires to create a start-up business in healthcare.
If you could go back & give advice to your school aged teenage self, what would that be?
Embrace every learning opportunity, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to take risks and explore new paths.
What is your profession?
Senior Consultant at Scyne Advisory (Finance Advisory)
Where has life taken you since graduating from Balwyn High School?
After graduating from Balwyn High School I studied a Bachelor of Commerce (Majored in Finance) and started my career as a graduate within the CFOA (Chief Financial Officer Advisory) team at KPMG Canberra.
There I had the opportunity to work with different Federal Government Departments such as the Department of Finance, Department of Health and Department of Defence. Then in 2023 I moved back to Melbourne joining PwC as part of their CFOA team. Our Government advisory teams transitioned to Scyne Advisory.
What does your job involve?
My job involves solving complex problems and understanding the needs of clients specifically within the finance/accounting and cost modelling areas. Day to day I communicate with my clients while working consultant magic in Excel and Powerpoint.
What do you most enjoy about your work?
I most enjoy the collaborative nature of my job and working with numbers. I’m fortunate enough to work with a group of likeminded individuals who all have different specialities allowing us to come together and develop robust solutions. It’s important to have an adaptive mindset allowing you to always expect the unexpected while being open to having deep and meaningful conversations regarding real world issues.
What are your favourite memories of your time at Balwyn High School?
My fondest memories of my time at Balwyn High School would definitely be the friends I made, with whom I still keep in touch today.
I would describe my student self as quiet and studious, with a strong passion for music. I was involved with the music program playing violin and participating in multiple orchestras.
When you were a student at Balwyn High School, what did you imagine you would do for a career?
As a student I believed that I would go into the science or health field. Interestingly when I studied accounting in Year 12 my teacher Ms Zachariah said that I would make a great accountant. I remember mentioning that I definitely won’t be pursuing that pathway but here I am currently a provisional Chartered Accountant.
If you could go back & give advice to your school aged teenage self, what would that be?
I would tell my secondary school aged self to enjoy the time with everyone, try your best and not stress too much on the outcome.
Senior Director in AI and Automation Technology
Where has life taken you since graduating from Balwyn High School?
Life since graduating from Balwyn High School (BHS) has taken me many places.
Immediately after completing Year 12, I embarked on a double degree at Melbourne University, in Electronics Engineering and Commerce. During that time, I did internships at DSTO in South Australia and Robert Bosch.
After graduating from my university degree, my career led me into Engineering Consulting, that took me all over Australasia. Specifically I became an Engineering Project Manager in Perth working on Defence and Power projects, and worked in Canberra where I worked on some of the highest profile government projects for the Australian Department of Immigration, Defence, and Australian Federal Police. With these projects taking me all over the country and even abroad in Papua New Guinea.
After a career in Engineering Consulting, I decided to take a leap of faith and expand my horizons in the European market and moved to the United Kingdom under the Youth Mobility Scheme. This gave me significant opportunities to apply all my skills as an Engineer for world leading industries out of London, like Financial Services and AI and Technology; as well as see some really exciting places in the world (my favourites have been Rome, Seoul, Stockholm, and Budapest!)
My career then switched to Management Consulting where I joined one of the world’s leading strategy houses, advising senior executives and business leaders on how to improve their businesses with Digital Technology and AI.
During this I got married, we gave birth to our son and bought our first house in the quaint family town of Wimbledon in the United Kingdom (yes, I am also a tennis fan).
What memorable experiences or achievements have shaped your life since finishing / graduating from Balwyn High School?
After finishing at Balwyn High, completing my double degree with honours at Melbourne University allowed me to really explore my options. I would also say moving overseas on my own was one of the most memorable, fun, exciting, and yes, a bit scary, experiences; that I’ll never regret doing.
What does your job involve?
My position as Senior Director in AI and Automation Technology involves a lot of meetings with senior executives at companies, storytelling, and creative problem solving. For a while it involved a lot of international travel.
What do you most enjoy about your work?
I love the variety, freedom, flexibility to be creative, and working with cutting edge technologies; all within a context that one may not find classically creative.
What skills or qualities are important in your line of work?
Learning how to learn, storytelling and communication, visualisation of ideas and concepts and being able to communicate that. Discipline and tenacity are also important, it’s very easy to give up when times get tough but nothing worth obtaining ever comes easy.
What are your favourite memories of your time at Balwyn High School?
Balwyn High School has been critical in helping shape my mindset and appreciation for the broader culture and finer things in life. More importantly, my time at BHS taught me that no matter what life throws at you, if you apply yourself, and have a relentless passion for knowledge, you can achieve great things.
My favourite memories? Year 12 muck-up day was a pinnacle. But also, the great teachers, friends, and even my friends families that all supported us throughout our most formative years. I absolutely loved the childhood fads like, Pokémon cards, Digimons, Tamagotchis, Tazos, and even playing four square with everyone and anyone that wanted to play.
Balwyn High School was one community, despite our cultural differences, backgrounds, and ethnicities, we all were Balwyn High School kids.
What you have been doing since finishing your education at Balwyn High?
After a mis-step starting a commerce degree at University of Melbourne, I studied a B.A. in Public Relations at RMIT and have had a long marketing, media and communications career in-house and in consultancy roles for some of Australia’s leading brands and organisations in the lifestyle arena (fashion, beauty, retail, food and wine), corporate (telecommunications, energy), the small business sector and since 2016 in higher education where I currently work as Associate Director, Donor Relations in the Advancement, Communications and Marketing team at the University of Melbourne.
Please share with us any memorable experiences or achievements that have shaped your life since finishing / graduating from Balwyn High School.
Going to university and meeting a fabulous cohort of women who’ve become lifelong friends, landing my first job in fashion PR, travelling overseas (not enough) and now living the suburban dream with my partner of 20 years, two kids and a dog. I’ve done a lot of voluntary work in the past at my children’s kinder and schools plus in the art and culture space which is a passion. At this point in my life, working in the world of Alumni and Advancement (fundraising/philanthropy) does feel like a calling after working as a generalist and jack of all trade for many years.
What are your favourite memories of your time at Balwyn High School?
Still friends with my besties from high school! Taking part in musicals. Studying hard (I was academic but not everyone is) but also going out and having a social life – it’s good to have balance. It seems like a long time ago now but a great stepping stone to life as a young adult.
Do you have any career insights you would like to share or advice for our student cohort?
I think one in three make the wrong choice at a tertiary level like I did – it’s not the end of the world if you make the same mistake but I would advise knowing who you are, what your natural strengths and passions are and studying something that strongly relates not doing something because you simply got the marks or feel pressure from others to do. Know yourself, find your path and run your own race in life.
Lifecycle Marketing Coordinator, Disney+ at The Walt Disney Company
Where has life taken you since graduating from Balwyn High School?
After graduating from Balwyn High School in 2016, I went to University to undertake a Double Degree of a Bachelor of Commerce and Arts, majoring in Marketing and Religious Studies, and minoring in Chinese Studies and Media and Communication.
In my third year I was selected to study abroad at the Monash Prato campus in Italy for a Leadership program. This happened right before COVID, so I’m incredibly grateful to have been able to travel across Europe and explore cultures, art and history before the world shut down. During this time, I also completed a Diploma of Event Management, as I loved being involved in the buzz and excitement of events, and knowing this would complement the Marketing aspect of my studies.
In my penultimate year of University, I was super excited to do a summer vacationer program at Telstra; 3-months within the Enterprise Marketing Group. From there I worked part-time at Telstra’s Melbourne Head Office helping run events for our Enterprise customers.
After finally finishing University, I was secured a graduate role in Telstra’s graduate program and completed 3 rotations within Small Business Marketing, Retail Marketing and the Accessories Marketing over the course of 12-months. This particular year provided me with immense growth year in my career. I was able to work on marketing campaigns to help small business, as well as campaigns that would be executed in Telstra stores across Australia. This propelled my career forward, as I could learn from experienced marketers and work for one of Australia’s largest companies.
From there, I transitioned into an exciting opportunity at one of my dream companies.
I began my journey at one of the most magical places to work for, The Walt Disney Company. I’ve been there now for nearly one year and it has been so incredible to work and promote brilliant entertainment for Australian and New Zealand audiences. Being able to work at a global level and getting to see the inside world of Disney is such an incredible part of my job; and how lucky I am because I get to do it everyday.
What memorable experiences or achievements have shaped your life since finishing / graduating from Balwyn High School?
Outside of work, I have been able to bring my marketing skills into a more creative element. With my now husband, who is an animator and motion designer, I was able to help start a Kickstarter for his children’s animation short called Wonderfully Made. Being able to help promote with merchandising and screenings for such a beautiful project has been a real highlight.
As part of the promotion period, we were also able to witness it being premiered at St.Kilda Film Festival Children’s Program. Seeing it on a big screen with little ones around was truly electric! We are eventually going to continue the project and create a children’s book based on the film.
What does your job involve?
My current job involves engaging our Disney+ subscribers with the exciting quality content and value that Disney provides! Day to day, I organise marketing communications to our subscribers including our editorial weekly email newsletters, push notification and in-app pop-ups. These communications often involve showing subscribers new exciting content that has landed on Disney+, what titles are coming up and the breadth and depth of the content for everyone. It also involves organising competitions and perks for Disney+ subscribers such as preview screenings for cinema releases, Disney prize packs and more! I also get to watch lots of exciting content before it releases to the general public!
What do you most enjoy about your work?
It truly is magical to work at The Walt Disney Company. I love that I get to discover incredible storytelling, and showcase the brilliance and magic that people around world know and lo
Our Communication Channels. Get Social With Us.
Keep up to date with us via:
- “The Lion” newsletter. Click HERE
- Alumni newsletter.
Please note: If you haven’t signed up to the alumni program, you won’t receive the alumni newsletter. To join the alumni program, please complete the form at the top of this page - Follow Us On Social Media
More Information
Being part of our alumni community can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. We offer a wide range of opportunities that can help you expand your network, build your resume, and give back to our school community. Sharing your skills and experience with our students makes a positive impact.
Opportunities include:
- talking to our current students about your study / career pathway
- being part of a Q&A alumni panel with a particular class or cohort to discuss your study / career pathway
- mentoring a student
- offering a work experience placement opportunity / finding a suitable work experience student from Balwyn High School’s fantastic pool of students
- volunteering to assist at school events
- contributing to Balwyn High School’s AIM High Building fund, setting up an award, a scholarship or other
Our Hall of Achievement, is a beacon of inspiration that celebrates the remarkable accomplishments of generations of Balwyn High School graduates.
It stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit, unwavering dedication, and boundless talent that have been educated at Balwyn High School. It is more than a mere gallery located in the hall outside the school’s main reception; it is a living legacy – a canvas upon which the stories of our alumni come alive.
Why Does It Matter?
- Inspiration for All: The Hall of Achievement transcends time, bridging the past, present, and future. As current students walk through the ‘Hall of Achievement’, they glimpse the extraordinary journeys of those who walked the Balwyn High School corridors before them. From groundbreaking scientists to soul-stirring artists, from trailblazing entrepreneurs to compassionate community leaders; their stories ignite the flames of aspiration.
- Diverse Excellence: Our alumni have left their indelible mark across diverse fields. Whether it’s the music hall, the science labs, the visual arts wing, the sports halls or other, Balwyn High School graduates have excelled. Their achievements span sport, science, arts, music, commerce, and beyond.
- A Call to Greatness: The Hall of Achievement beckons current and future students to dream big, work hard, and contribute meaningfully. It whispers, “You, too, can leave footprints of significance.”
Reconnect with your class or year level
We encourage our alumni to organise reunions as a way of catching up with friends and former classmates; whether in-person or online.
Whilst Balwyn High School does not organise reunions on your behalf, we are very happy to include the details of your reunion on this page and can email the invitation to those on our alumni database from your year level; or provide you with their details if they have given us permission to do so.
Donate to education and endless opportunities.
There are numerous ways you can donate to Balwyn High School and transform inspiration into action. We welcome your enquiries and questions about giving to Balwyn High School; you can find more information on our Aim High Building fund webpage HERE
Ideas to consider:
- setting up a student scholarship
- donating to a school fundraising project
- donating to our Aim High Building fund which directs your donation to the area in the school that needs it most
If you have a LinkedIn profile, we’d be grateful if you could please add Balwyn High School to the education section of your profile.
Our school LinkedIn page includes an ‘alumni’ tab, and once you’ve added Balwyn High School to the education section of your personal profile, you will be included in the alumni stats on our official LinkedIn page. See image below for reference.
“The Lion” Newsletter
Our students and staff, teaching and learning, achievements, our alumni, our community and history are all parts of what make Balwyn High School a great school.
The Lion Newsletter is produced every two weeks and is a true demonstration of life at Balwyn High School. We hope you enjoy the read!
Click on the image to the right, to view the current and previous copies of The Lion
Contact Us
Contact the Alumni Office via email alumni@balwynhs.vic.edu.au
Balwyn High School partners with Ourschool
Balwyn High School’s alumni program is being developed in partnership with Ourschool, www.ourschool.net.au, a not-for-profit service that helps government secondary schools build thriving alumni networks to benefit current students and the school community. It officially gained momentum in January 2024 with the appointment of a Balwyn High School’s Alumni Program Coordinator.
