Ballarat High School Alumni

We're seeking alumni to volunteer as panellists for mock job interviews. Every year our Vocational Major students participate in job interviews as part of their assessment, this prepares them for real-life scenarios. The interviews are held off site and panellists need to be impartial. We provide everything you need, including interview questions. You'll be required to ask the questions with other panellists and provide feedback. If you're available on Monday 14th or Tuesday 15th of September from 8.50am - 3pm, and would like to be involved, please reach out via email [email protected].

WHIZBANG - 26 YEAR CELEBRATION

WHEN: Saturday, September 12 from 2pm
Were you a part of Whizbang? Can you believe it’s been 26 years since Whizbang first fired up at Ballarat High School? To celebrate this milestone, we are calling Whizbang alumni home to join the band for a special reunion performance!

The Legacy You Built:
Still rocking a full brass, woodwind, rhythm, and vocal lineup.
Our incredible catalogue now boasts 10 studio albums (plus our latest release!).
True to our roots, every piece is still entirely composed by our members, spanning Latin, pop, jazz, and more.
Come Make Some Noise With Us
Whether your instrument is currently gathering dust or you still play every day, there is a spot on stage for you. Let’s bring different generations of Whizbang performers together to relive the fun and energy that is Whizbang.
How to get involved:

Go to our website. https://www.ballaraths.vic.edu.au/albums/ and check out all of the songs Whizbang has recorded over the years.
Pick a song you'd like to play or be a part of.
Get in touch via https://www.ballaraths.vic.edu.au/alumni/
It's that easy.

Congratulations to alumnus Josh Jolly on taking out his second BMX Racing World Championship...

Back on top of the world 🌈

Josh Jolly is the 2026 UCI BMX Racing U23 World Champion, adding to his 2024 Junior title 🏆

2020 graduate Renae Moorfoot (pictured centre) is currently appearing on this season's Farmer Wants A Wife. The Courier featured an article on Renae's journey recently, as she became one of the five women that South Australian sheep farmer and aspiring rodeo cowboy Dylan invited back to his Adelaide Hills property. She recently stood out to Farmer Dylan by participating in a community Australian rules football match when she was the only one of his ladies to put her hand up to play.
You'll need to watch the show to find out whether Renae finds love and moves to South Australia.

'I have to meet him': how a TikTok scroll led to TV for Ballarat farmer hopeful From managing a store to starring in a reality romance series.

On Friday night, Melissa Battye from the Class of 2019, joined our Year 12s at their fundraising night - a night aimed at dressing up, having fun, creating memories and fundraising for mental health, specifically the James Petrie Foundation.
Melissa, a Mental Health Clinician with Grampians Health, spoke to the students about ways to manage stress, not just this year but in years to come. Knowing the signs, learning ways to calm the body, maintaining balance, the importance of sleep, seeking support, and looking after each other, were a few of the topics addressed.
We thank Melissa for giving up her Friday night, to generously give back to our 2026 cohort!

Paige Gercovich (Class of 2016), Mick Downes (Class of 1985), Jodie Mitchell (Class of 1987), Alexander Cairns (Class of 2001), and Jessica Hodge (Class of 2020), we thank you...

Today our Year 9 students took part in a Career Immersion Day, designed to give them an insight into Year 10 subject choices and some career pathways available beyond school.

We welcomed back five alumni who shared their journeys from Ballarat High School to a wide range of careers. Students heard from construction business owner Paige Gercovich (Class of 2016), Police Sergeant Mick Downes (Class of 1985), archaeologist and business owner Jodie Mitchell (Class of 1987), paramedic Alexander Cairns (Class of 2001), and Jessica Hodge (Class of 2020), Sales Coordinator for Conferences and Events at Village Roadshow Theme Parks in Queensland.

The panel spoke candidly about the twists and turns of their careers, the opportunities they embraced and the lessons they learned along the way. Mick reflected on being a third-generation Ballarat High alumnus and the varied challenges of policing. Paige shared her passion for architecture, design and innovation, including being involved in one of Australia's first 3D-printed homes. Alex spoke about following his interests in health and sport into paramedicine, while Jess shared how a gap year in Canada eventually led her to a career helping bring events to life at Australia's leading theme parks. Jodie inspired students with her journey to university as a mature-age student and her 20-year career in archaeology.

A common theme throughout the session was the importance of pursuing something you genuinely enjoy and remaining open to opportunities along the way.

We thank Paige, Mick, Jodie, Alex, and Jess for giving up their time to return to Ballarat High School and inspire the next generation as they begin thinking about their own futures.

Natalie Evans (Class of 2000) was a great example today of a student that didn't necessarily love school but continued on to an amazing career working with animals, and enjoying education later in life.

Our Year 12 Business Management students welcomed back three alumni today as part of their current studies in Operational Management.

Riley Davie (Class of 2012), Division Manager - Ticketing & Commercial Operations at the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, Ashley Burt (Class of 1993), Southern Operations Manager at CHS Broadbent, and Andrew Ward (Class of 1989), former General Manager of Retail Operations at PETstock, shared their journeys from school to leadership roles within large organisations.

The panel explored the realities of working within major organisations, including organisational structures, achieving efficiency, forecasting, rapid growth, weather and time-dependent operations, and working alongside government entities. Students gained valuable insight into how large-scale operations come together to achieve a successful outcome.

All three spoke proudly of their time at Ballarat High School, with Ashley reflecting on being part of a third generation of BHS graduates. We thank Riley, Ashley and Andrew for giving back to the next generation and sharing their experiences with our students.

Visiting alumni at their workplace... Today some of our Year 11 students headed to Emma's Bakery and spent time with Sarah Cordingly from the Class of 2017.

Bailey Malkiewicz, Paris Rich, Matthew Stewart and Peter Dawson visited BHS today to speak with our Year 10 and 11 Business Management students, who are currently studying Entrepreneurship. The panel shared insights into starting a business, navigating setbacks, managing finances, building relationships, protecting a brand and maintaining a healthy work/life balance.

Bailey and Paris, no strangers to this cohort as co-founders of Graba Spoon, spoke about their unique journeys, from Bailey’s professional motocross career and life-changing accident to Paris turning her love of acai into a business after travelling overseas. Matt, a patent attorney, provided valuable insight into protecting ideas and the realities of entrepreneurship, while 2020 graduate Peter Dawson shared his experience opening Mondegreen Cafe in Burnbank Street, and the challenges of running a small business.

It was fantastic to see our students so engaged and asking so many questions. We thank our guests for giving their time and inspiring those that now walk in their shoes.