I was still academically uninterested when I started at the University of Western Australia to study Economics in 1977, it was more my mum’s idea than mine. I was called to see the dean after six months, since I had really done nothing. He said I needed to get the three assignments I missed in within a month, or quit. I quit. My mum was devastated.

I was earning good money part time at Woolworths (supermarket chain,) and I liked the freedom that having money afforded. I was used to money, having had some sort of job since my first at 11 years old working at the drug store or chemist as we called it in Perth.

I eventually did go back to study as a mature age student. When I took the core IT unit, the lecturer let me take part of the class and the lab sessions given my working experience and aptitude! The international students all wanted to team up with me because I interacted with them more than my fellow Aussies, they figured out that I knew what I was doing! I just had an interest in treating them well as guests, and also wanted to know about them and their cultures.

It took me eight years, eight tough years of studying whilst raising a family and working in some key roles and doing assignments on aeroplanes. I started in Perth and finished at Deakin University in Melbourne graduating at age 38. I was given an award for being in the top 15 % of students. Like at school, I seemed to have a knack for this learning stuff. Through school and university I amassed a wide variety of knowledge in subjects ranging from economics and literature, to physics chemistry and mathematics. Perhaps there is a rocket scientist in me somewhere…… But it seems that wasn’t my destiny or interest.

Footnote: This year Deakin University contacted me and worked with me (and others like me I am sure) on a short story to advertise their university and its benefits using real success stories of their alumni. I was humbled. https://businessnewsroom.deakin.edu.au/articles/deakin-commerce-launches-global-career