Elise Fulton (2011)
Elsie started at Grammar in Year 3. She was heavily involved in music and arts and competed in rowing, hockey, netball and cross-country running. Her involvement in community service included the basketball program at the Ballarat Specialist School and Bronze Duke of Edinburgh. In the following interview with Elsie, she reflects on how lucky she feels to have had so many great teachers at Grammar who challenged and extended her.
Are there any teachers who had a significant impact?
My Mentor Jane Boadle was one of the most practical advice givers. Sophie Fenton made us all obsessed with International Politics. Whenever I visit an art gallery, I still recall what I learned from Bob Braszell in Art Theory. Additionally, I attribute my notorious reputation as the ‘PowerPoint Queen’ to Natalie Dunne.
In what ways did the School contribute to your growth and development?
As Junior School Captain and Vice Senior School Captain/Guardian I developed strong leadership skills which put me in good stead for my future endeavours. I also cultivated a good appetite for adventure thanks to an exchange to Canada in Year 10 and some great school camps – the Year 10 snow camp definitely helped me develop perseverance and determination.
Are there any experiences that stand out?
I remember learning about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in Year 9 with Priscilla Herington and my interest in ocean plastic pollution remains to this day. After finishing school I had a lot of fun volunteering with Seabin, analysing data on plastics collected at Geelong Yacht Club.
Tell us about any key milestones or achievements since school.
Eliminating disposable coffee cups from my work’s offices nationally and leading a trial for a product stewardship scheme for cosmetic waste. I’m currently working on an engagement to drive circular economy outcomes in the fishing and aquaculture industry. Tell us about a mentoring experience. Someone once told me that you can’t possibly know everything, so focus on knowing who to ask when you are beyond your depth. Two stand-out mentors come to mind. The first gave me a lot of confidence to go after what I wanted. The second was very good at steering me in the right direction – a short call to him and I would save myself an hour or two of planning or debating an approach.
“Never underestimate your ‘in-between’ jobs. It was in my hospitality job at Rod Laver Arena when I was still at university that I met the partners who would hire me at KPMG. Travel is also a great teacher. In 2023 I spent three months in Fairbanks, Alaska, where I had the pleasure of looking after 16 MacKenzie River huskies. I learned how to dog sled and care for these beautiful animals. It really tested my problem-solving skills – I got good at digging cars out of the snow and learning that sometimes it’s okay to rely on others for help!”
Acknowledgement of Country
Ballarat and Queen’s Anglican Grammar School acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we learn, live and work, the Wadawurrung People, and recognises their continuing connection to the land and waterways. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend this to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.
Commitment to Child Safety
Ballarat Grammar maintains a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of child abuse and actively implements measures to identify and manage any risks of harm to students within our school environment. The care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people are central and fundamental responsibilities of the School. We are firmly committed to fostering a child-safe culture that provides an environment where students are safe and feel safe, where their participation is valued, their views respected, and their voices heard in decisions that affect their lives. Ballarat Grammar values diversity and strictly prohibits any racist or discriminatory practices. All members of our school community share the responsibility to care for children and young people by promptly raising any concerns regarding their safety, promoting their wellbeing, and protecting them from all forms of harm or abuse.
