It may seem as though she’s been part of our community for a long time but in fact she’s only been with us since April!  That’s how seamlessly Sarah has fit in to our school.  Most of you will have seen her smiling face or been on the end of her kind words via the telephone when you’ve visited or called the school office.  Here’s your chance to find out more about this lovely lady who brings so much heart to her role.

 

Having grown up on the East Coast of Australia in Geelong (Victoria), her earliest memories are of living in the seaside town of Portarlington. That being said, Sarah recalls moving lots as a child, picturing that her family were like the gypsies she had read about in one of Roald Dahl’s books. One of these moves led them to a town called Koroit. Originally populated by Irish migrants, the town was known for potatoes, a volcanic crater and its annual Irish Festival. Her family owned and lived in a pub there. It was full of music, from cover bands to karaoke nights. It was hard work for her parents, but Sarah recalls the magic of dancing down the hallway to the music that came through the walls on those busy nights. One of these nights, the band consisted of three local farmers who lip-synced to KISS songs. They had their own makeup artist, banners, cardboard guitars, lights and pyrotechnics! However, the humble Commercial Hotel was not equipped for this level of staging; as they got into their second song – the whole town watching on – the power blew. After some time, the issue was resolved. Though by then, it was too late - the band had broken up. They’d had a fight while the power was out and it was announced the show would not go on!

 

On leaving school, Sarah has dabbled with studies and work, trying to find where her passions lie.  Over east, she kept busy working multiple jobs in different areas of interest. She spent a long time working as a qualified Education Assistant before branching out into Disability Support. She worked in admin roles and in hospitality, from the beautiful biodynamic café and social enterprise, 'The Common Ground Project', to an A La Carte restaurant, to managing Union Street Wine Bar in the city centre of Geelong, where she fostered her love and knowledge of wine. Her passions are working creatively, helping others, and talking wine.

 

Her interest in wine developed during her younger years growing up in a wine region.  She credits her Aunty and Father with introducing her to good wine and good food. “Dad owned delis in his 20s and 30s in markets of Sydney and Melbourne – he’s always had a really lovely reverence for good food and eventually introduced me to good wine.” Alongside her years spent working in the hospitality industry her interest has continued to grow.  It was while working at Union Street Bar in Geelong that she met her partner Cal, a travelling Denmark local.  Cal comes from a wine industry family and together they have embarked on travels, including to the wine regions of France and Italy. Their travels have enabled them to bring home much knowldege to their own family wine label – Fervor Wines.  

When not working at the school Sarah spends time helping with the business, especially the marketing, promotion and social media side of things – an area in which her creativity is able to blossom!

 

You may well have noticed Sarah’s creativity in the beautiful flyers, marketing and social media posts of late coming from the school.  She is enjoying her role at GHSS and says she loves being part of “a special place and making connections with special people”.  When asked to describe her role at the school Sarah admits the role is dynamic and no two days look the same!  Some days are chaotic and reactive, whilst on other days she is able to create and get into a flow state.  She is excited for the upcoming Spring Fair and for the coming year, during which she hopes to create flow and consistency in the school marketing area.

 

When asked about something her colleagues may not know about her, she describes her years of playing lacrosse, and the fact that she comes from a family full of lacrosse players.  Her Dad even competed at the Commonwealth games, and her Mum also represented Australia in touring teams – not to mention the accolades of her extended family.

 

Outside of school hours Sarah loves helping in the vineyard that she and Cal’s family are leasing, reading, visiting the beach, growing flowers and spending time with her beloved puppy Roy, an energetic border collie.  Her plans for the future outside of the school include using her creativity to do really cool things in the Denmark community, getting to know more people and working on sharing her wine knowledge with others.  Watch this space, there is no doubt she will achieve great things!

 

We’re happy to have her as part of our team at GHSS, so if you haven’t met Sarah yet pop into the school office and say hi!