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Arts & Humanities Alumni stories

Brendan Ritchie

Brendan Ritchie

Master of Arts, 2012
Doctor of Philosophy, 2015

Author and academic Brendan Ritchie has received several accolades throughout his career, but it is something much simpler that stands out as a career highlight for him. “Seeing high school students study and enjoy my books is probably one of my biggest personal highlights,”.

Jack Connell

Jack Connell

Bachelor of Media and Communication (2020)

Jack Connell knew he wanted to bring film to life from a young age. “For me, as a kid – we all had our own issues. But I found that whenever I watched a film or watched a TV show or played a video game, I had this moment where you would forget about everything going on in your life,” Jack explains.

Claire Ridley

Claire Ridley

Bachelor of Communications (2003)
Graduate Diploma of Broadcasting (2023)

“You’re never too old and it’s never too late” is the mantra Claire Ridley has been living by in recent years. Aged 40 with a one-year-old baby, Claire pressed pause on her highly successful marketing career to return to ECU, 20 years after completing her first degree.

Pearl Proud

Pearl Proud

Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) (1995)

Working in the banking industry in South Africa as a young college graduate, Pearl Proud quickly figured out she wanted more from her career. “I realised I wasn’t really that into banking as a profession, but I was interested in helping people – that’s what my life’s purpose was and is,” Pearl says.

Narelda Jacobs, wearing a blue suit in front of a grey background, smiling to camera

Narelda Jacobs

Associate Degree of Performing Arts (1999)

Starting her journalism career in 2000 at GWN, it was within a few months that Narelda joined Network 10 and would become the first Aboriginal and openly lesbian news anchor for a commercial network in Australia. Some 20 years later, she is among Australia’s most popular, and highly regarded journalists.

Vanessa Vlajkovic

Vanessa Vlajkovic

Bachelor of Media and Communication (2019)

“I'm driven by the fact that I have a voice and the potential to change perspectives and improve the lives of so many people, including my own. I have the confidence, the knowledge and the motivation to make a difference. That's really all I need.”

Scott Shorter

Scott Shorter

Bachelor of Communications (2006)

“When I started my business, I began with minimal savings, barely enough to cover a short holiday. I remember at one point I even had to sell my car to keep up with rent payments.” Today, Scott Shorter runs one of the leading SEO and digital marketing agencies in Perth.

Olivia Colja

Olivia Colja

Bachelor of Social Science (2009)
Bachelor of Contemporary Arts (2020)

“When you see someone in a better condition, that’s what gives you faith and hope. Each positive change I can make to a person’s life helps make the community and world a better place. That’s something I want to be part of.”

Jarrad Grigg

Jarrad Grigg

Bachelor of Communications (2007)

“People say, ‘Find your passion’. But sometimes your passion doesn’t work out – not everyone can make money from their passion. It’s more like find out what you’re good at, and what people want and hone in on that.”

Karla Hart

Karla Hart

Certificate III in Aboriginal Theatre (2006)
Bachelor of Contemporary Arts (2015)

“I often think back to when I was lying in my room in my grandmother’s house dreaming of travelling and performing and sometimes I have to pinch myself and go, ‘Gee that little girl from Gnowangerup has come a long way’.”

James Simmons

James Simmons

Bachelor of Creative Industries (2010)

“What I really liked about the ECU course was that it gave me a great insight into visual art and its history, which I like to think gives me an edge in the commercial world when it comes to visual literacy.”

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