麻豆破解版

鈥淏eing at Yarra were some of the best years of my life.鈥�

A highlight of Andrea Lewis鈥檚 school day was the moment when her Dad dropped her at Yarra every morning. Her friends 鈥� David and Scott 鈥� would be waiting for her in their usual spot at the top of the front steps.

鈥淚 still vividly remember arriving every morning and seeing my two besties waiting for me. I鈥檇 walk up the steps and we鈥檇 laugh our way through the rest of the day. I didn鈥檛 like the weekends because I just wanted to be at school with my mates,鈥� says Andrea.

She enrolled in Years 11 and 12 and was then one of only 40 girls in the school. Some of Andrea鈥檚 friends from her former girls鈥� school moved with her and she quickly settled in.

鈥淭he school was so much smaller then and so it was easy to find my way around. Everyone was friendly and had a sense of humour and there was a lot of tolerance and understanding,鈥� says Andrea.

While Maths and Science weren鈥檛 her strong point, Andrea loved English and Australian History. She was also one of two students to study Politics, which was then offered off-campus at neighbouring Luther College.

A born organiser, Andrea was also involved in plenty of extra-curricular activities 鈥� from being in the chorus of the school musicals to singing in a jazz rock group and being on the committee for the school magazine. She was also a prefect and school vice-captain.

鈥淚 was a bit of a nerd! I loved getting together with other people and talking and organising!鈥� she says.

After graduating, Andrea initially studied Arts at the University of Melbourne but deferred to instead study to become a court and parliamentary reporter with Hansard. After passing rigorous exams, including being able to write shorthand at 200 words per minute, she became a reporter in the County and Supreme Courts and covered major criminal trials.

She then joined Hansard and spent 31 years reporting proceedings of Parliament.

鈥淚 got to know many of the politicians, such as Joan Kirner and Jeff Kennett. I loved working in Parliament House,鈥� says Andrea.

Five years ago, it was time for a new challenge and Andrea became a school teacher. She also volunteers to support refugees and asylum seekers.

鈥淵arra influenced my volunteer work. A teacher took us to visit a migrant centre and I realised how fortunate we are to be born here while other people flee for their lives and arrive with nothing,鈥� she says.

鈥淚鈥檓 grateful to every person at Yarra 鈥� they had a huge part in making me who I am today.鈥�