Koonung Secondary College Alumni

Tara Reiter graduated from Koonung in 2018 and studied health and PE teaching for 3 years at Deakin Uni. Tara then deferred from this to work full time at Tennis Australia in a Programs and Tournament Coordinator position. She did this for 18 months before moving interstate to Queensland for a lifestyle change.

Since moving to the Gold Coast in 2023, Tara has worked for an events company called The Kokoda Challenge which holds endurance based hiking events. She works in the Event Organisation and Administration department, as well as helping in a business development sense.

Outside of work, Tara participates in triathlons and endurance based events, where she was lucky enough to represent Australia in 2025 at the Age Group Sprint Distance and Olympic Distance Triathlon World Champs which took place in Wollongong. In the future, Tara is looking to keep pursuing endurance endeavours around her work in the Gold Coast.

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2006 Athletics Day

Last week, we were delighted to welcome back Koonung Secondary College alumni Justin Howarth (Class of 2002) to speak at the Year 8 assembly.

Justin shared how he navigated uncertainty after school. After studying communications at Holmesglen TAFE and spending a year travelling and working overseas, he found his place in the hardware industry. With over 15 years of experience, Justin’s career has taken him around the world to major trade shows, giving him the opportunity to meet incredible people and build a rewarding career. Justin has a beautiful wife and two gorgeous kids.

Hearing from Justin gave our Year 8 students valuable insights into pathways that can unfold after school. Thank you Justin for inspiring the next generation of Koonung students!

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Quentin graduated from Koonung in 2021. When he left school he didn’t know exactly what he wanted to do so decided to do a gap year first, whilst working casually. It turns out that he really enjoyed the gap year and the freedom that he got with it, so he continued to work.

Quentin has done shift work, worked at a catering company, worked as a delivery driver for a catering company and worked at a special needs school as a teachers aid.

Quentin is now in the Army which he is thoroughly enjoying.

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Calling all Koonung Secondary College alumni!

If Koonung has played an important role in your life and you're genuinely passionate about its future, we'd love you to join a group of parents and supporters campaigning for increased government funding ahead of the November Victorian State Election.

Together, we can help ensure current and future students have access to the facilities and opportunities they deserve. If you'd like to get involved, please get in touch with Kristy Mcilvenna or Vittoria O'Brien ([email protected]).

Calling all Koonung Secondary College alumni!

If Koonung has played an important role in your life and you're genuinely passionate about its future, we'd love you to join a group of parents and supporters campaigning for increased government funding ahead of the November Victorian State Election.

Together, we can help ensure current and future students have access to the facilities and opportunities they deserve. If you'd like to get involved, please get in touch with Kristy Mcilvenna ([email protected]) or Vittoria O'Brien ([email protected]).

Class of 2014's Valedictory Dinner

After graduating from Koonung Secondary College in 2018, Alice started a Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science (honours) at Monash University and loved it. In her second year of study she started work, running Peer Assisted Study Sessions through the university. As her degree progressed, she picked up more casual roles, gaining experience in the Student Experiences team, Access, Inclusion & Success team, and as a research assistant.

In 2023 Alice began a PhD at Monash University, and also commenced working as a Teaching Associate. Her PhD investigates antimicrobial resistance, with a focus on how we can optimise dosing regimens to ensure effective treatment and minimise the emergence of resistance. Through her studies she has travelled to Perth, Sydney, and Spain to present her research!

In 2024, she also took on the role of Assistant Lecturer.

Alice has kept a strong involvement with Rotary (after being a keen member of Interact while at Koonung). This volunteering has taught her a whole range of skills that have allowed her to truly test her limits and also excel work. Alice's involvement with Rotary has taken her on numerous trips to Sydney and Canberra, as well as one to Singapore where she was a panellist at an international conference! The world-wide band of friends she has gained from these experiences is amazing.

Class of 2018's Year 12 formal.

After graduating from Koonung in 2012, Nicholas studied a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Accounting, at RMIT University. While at university, he joined the Australian Army Reserve and also had the opportunity to travel extensively throughout the United States and Europe.

After completing his degree, Nicholas applied to commission as an Army Officer and graduated from the Royal Military College into the Royal Australian Infantry Corps in 2017. He was posted twice to the School of Infantry in Singleton, New South Wales, and completed infantry regimental service at the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, at Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane.

During his time in the Army, he deployed on a number of domestic operations and was promoted to Captain in 2022. In April 2024, he was medically discharged from the Australian Defence Force following a series of injuries that meant ongoing service was no longer in my interests, or the interests of the ADF.

In his final year of service, he commenced a Juris Doctor through the University of Canberra, which he expects to complete in September 2026.

Since discharging, Brisbane has become home. He live with his partner, who is also a Koonung alumnus, and their three young children. He continues to volunteer with community and veteran organisations and remains actively engaged in public policy, law and politics.

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