Alumni and Supporters

Cheryl Oprandi

Diploma of Teaching (Primary) (1981)
Bachelor of Education (1989)
Master of Education (2002)

Cheryl Oprandi figured out early on to follow her heart when it came to her career.

Initially studying podiatry at her parents’ urging, after a year she switched paths to study primary education at Claremont Teacher’s College.

“I always wanted to become a teacher, but my parents kept saying ‘do something else’,” Cheryl explains.

But it was her own wonderful experience at primary school that made her want to do the same for other children. Migrating to Perth from Malaysia as an 11-year-old living with the effects of Polio, Cheryl says the teachers she encountered made a huge impact on her life.

“The teachers at Rosalie Primary School really looked after me. They were very, very good. And even with my disability and everything, I was school captain, I played all the sports - they included me,” Cheryl says.

“The supportive teachers there made a lasting impression, fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion that inspired me to become an educator myself.”

After graduating from Teacher’s College, Cheryl initially taught in America, before returning home to work in a range of primary schools across Western Australia, including Norseman, North Dandalup, Swanbourne, White Gum Valley, Dalmain and Mirrabooka.

With a passion for science and always looking for different ways to get through to her students to make learning fun and practical, Cheryl says there were often excursions and experiences, and 30 years on still gets stopped by families who remember her.

“I would teach the curriculum using different formats that would spark their interest. If I was bored, I felt the kids were bored,” Cheryl says. “I would always take students on various excursions and invite people into the classroom to expose the students to other aspects in life. I tried to build an inclusive culture with parents and encouraged them to be active in school activities, as many didn’t like their own school experiences.”

“Adapt. You have to be adaptable. And know your audience.”

And while she thoroughly enjoyed her 20 years teaching younger children, while working at Dalmain Primary School an opportunity came up for Cheryl to lecture university students at ECU.

While lecturing in ECU’s School of Education, Cheryl completed her Masters in Education Management, where she focused on students with ADHD and parent/teacher management.

After eight years lecturing in Perth, Cheryl’s husband’s work took the family to the United Kingdom, where she continued lecturing in universities and teaching in schools.

“I did a little bit of relief teaching in Liverpool to see what the education process was like – it’s tough over there, it really is,” she says. “My very first day I drove out to a school, I passed quite a few cars smouldering from being set on fire.”

Cheryl lectured at the University of Chester, where she wrote a program on integrating different cultures, before turning her side hustle of selling jewellery into a thriving business.

“I started a company called The Jewel Shop. I set it up from our house, then had display units in florist shops and I’d do house parties, but the business grew so big that I had to leave lecturing,” she says.

“I ended up selling to quite a few footballers’ wives, they would come to me with a shoe and want jewellery to match. I expanded into bridal jewellery and tiaras.”

Eventually selling the business and returning to Perth, Cheryl’s experience selling the family farm led to her taking up a career in real estate, which she has now been successfully doing for more than 18 years.

“Skills I learnt in teaching has helped in running my own businesses - the planning, public speaking, thinking outside the box, thinking on your feet, managing money,” Cheryl says.

“Unfortunately, a lot of teachers don't think they have transferable skills – they do have skills. In a lot of other countries teaching is revered, because you're moulding the future of others.”

Cheryl and her husband Ray are directors of Cheryl and Ray Oprandi and work in conjunction with Sell Lease Property (SLP), selling residential and commercial properties including in key developments such as Elizabeth Quay and Perth Hub, part of Perth City Link.

“The lowest price I’ve sold is $183,000 apartment in Highgate, to $7 million in residential housing in Dalkeith, and everything in between,” she says. “But what I enjoy about real estate is the people you meet.”

Cheryl’s latest venture is a passion project, forming Independence Network.  Cheryl and her business partners - husband Ray and former PWC senior partner Ross Thorpe - all have an interest in helping more people with disabilities live independently through NDIS housing.

“I collaborate with builders, investors, hospitals, participants and providers to facilitate the construction of certified Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) homes, creating accessible and inclusive living spaces for individuals with disabilities,” Cheryl says.

“There have been 11 homes completed in 2024 so far and 38 are on the go now, and we build for high physical support participants.”

A cause close to her heart due to her own disability, Cheryl says it is wonderful to see how life-changing it can be for individuals and families to have a home tailored to their specific needs.

“Even the builders we work with - they all have a link somewhere with somebody with a disability.”

With such a varied career and no signs of slowing down, Cheryl’s advice to others is simple.

“Adapt. You have to be adaptable. And know your audience.”