Emily Armstrong (2011)
After finding school really tough academically due to having dyslexia, young mum and go-getter Emily is now a successful business owner. Following her dream, Emily moved to Sydney after finishing school but, feeling isolated in the big smoke, she knew the bush was where she belonged. So she returned to Hay where, just before the pandemic she started Saltbush Stretch and, more recently, the Saltbush Babes podcast. I have a great business that I love which helps support rural and isolated women. I wanted to provide something for women of the bush that would connect them to their physical and mental health, and to each other, no matter where they live. Like the name ‘Saltbush’, people in the bush are tough – we all have hard times but we make it through by supporting each other. Emily credits her success to the lessons she learned from her father.
Key Milestones in Emily’s Journey
Two of the best years of my life were working as a Jillaroo in the Northern Territory. It taught me hard work, grit and determination and how to work with an array of people. I still have friends and connections from that time and I’m forever grateful to have had that experience. As for Saltbush Stretch, it feels like it’s on steroids in 2025! The growth has been mind-blowing and I’ve had a twopage spread in the iconic Country Style magazine talking about community and an article in the Women's Weekly. Honestly I’m blown away. But the real highlight for me is getting out on the road and connecting with bush women – just everyday people, showing up for themselves. These are people worth celebrating and it’s so powerful being able to connect with them. I feel proud of what I’ve achieved in our small rural community. I love that life isn’t a straight line and I’m excited to see where I can take the business over the next five to ten years
Emily’s time at Grammar
I will be forever grateful for the kindness and enthusiasm of the people who helped shape me into the person I am. Despite struggling in the classroom, I felt like I belonged because the amazing people at Grammar always believed in me. Just because I wasn’t a straight A student didn’t mean I wasn’t successful. I remember Mr Beechey’s running sessions on a Friday morning – in the freezing cold! – and him making me feel like I was a runner for the Olympics. I loved my six years as a boarder in Larritt and Woodbridge. Jill Coote and Cass Wilkins were both big influences and will always be special people for me. And Mrs Stringer, the teacher aide who helped me in most of my classes, was one of a kind
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.
