Where are the now?
Wednesday, 13 April 2022

Stephanie Black nee Bruechle (Loreto Class 1976)

Stephanie is currently the Deputy Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. She supervises the teams that provide policy advice and leadership in infrastructure, economic and environmental matters, as well as another team that includes Cabinet Services. Stephanie has been fortunate to have been involved in several large projects including Fiona Stanley Hospital, the Wellington Dam mural and the WA Museum Boola Bardip. Prior to joining the WA public sector in 2009, she was the CEO of United Credit Union (now BeyondBank).

After graduating from Loreto, Stephanie attended UWA for two years and then went on to join a company that wrote computer software, where she learned a great deal. She entered into a Bachelor of Business at Edith Cowan University at the age of 31, following the passing of her husband (Douglas Black St Louis Class 1969). After graduation, she started at Bankwest as a junior economist, working school hours so she could pick up her children. She also completed postgraduate qualifications in applied finance and corporate governance.

Stephanie has three children and one grandson, Parker, who is the light of her life. She is currently on leave from work and keeps busy playing tennis, gardening and looking after her grandson. Stephanie still sees friends from school and has wonderful memories of her time at Loreto. She lives near the College and says that even though she did not attend the Mount Claremont campus, she still feels a strong connection whenever she drives past.

Advice to young Alumni about study and career choices:
My advice to anyone starting out in their career and/ or studying would be to accept opportunities along the way. Many people, including me, start out on a path and then other opportunities come along and the path changes. I thought I would be an economist forever but my career has taken quite a few turns and I’ve accepted lots of challenges without really knowing what I was getting myself into, and those turns have been fantastic. Seize the day, and stay in touch with your school friends.
 

Dan Marshall (Class 2001)

After a 12-year journey of studying and training, Dan is now working as an orthopaedic surgeon. He completed his medical degree in 2010 and was accepted into the orthopaedic training program in NSW, where he lived and worked for seven years. After getting married in Sydney in 2018 to Maggie, Dan returned to Perth, bought his first home and welcomed a beautiful daughter, Bronte, in 2021. He has since returned to Sydney for a six-month fellowship placement focusing on the sub-specialty of lower limb deformity correction and will then move to the UK for 12 months to specialise in hip and knee arthroplasty, with a return date to Perth set for 2023.

Dan’s career keeps him very busy, however he loves what he does and feels very fortunate to be able to work in this field. In his spare time he enjoys surfing, spearfishing and swimming, though his favourite thing is spending time with his wife Maggie and daughter Bronte.

He has very fond memories of his time at John XXIII College, and particularly loved representing the school in basketball, swimming and football. Dan recently returned to play in an ‘Old Boys’ footy match, reporting that he had definitely lost his ability to play football by then!

Advice to young Alumni about study and career choices:
My advice would be to explore all the opportunities presented to you and figure out what interests you. Sometimes things don’t click straight away, but don’t give up at the first hurdle. In my first degree, I took few commerce units and realised I didn’t want to continue down that path so I focused on the science degree. I originally wanted to transfer into physio as  didn’t see a future out of the science degree (I even took a year off and just went surfing), but as I always wanted to become a doctor but hadn’t ‘excelled’ enough in school, I decided to sit the GAMSAT exam when postgraduate medicine became available. After studying relentlessly, I was fortunate enough to pass first attempt, allowing me to apply for the Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Notre Dame Australia.
 

Emma Cornwall (Class 2000)

Emma is currently the Foundation Manager at The Art Gallery of Western Australia, a role that involves generating private philanthropic support or the Gallery, administering the AGWA Foundation and stewardship of the Gallery’s generous donors and bequestors. Emma says that the Gallery is a fascinating place to work and she feels very fortunate to work with passionate people who are providing world-class and enriching cultural experience.

Emma’s studies in commerce and education prepared her well for her successful career. Emma recalls being in awe of John XXIII College’s wonderful facilities after she moved there from a small primary school. ‘I have very fond memories of school and am very grateful for the many fabulous teachers, the values instilled in us and the lifelong friendships forged,’ says Emma. She is married to Ben, and her two children James 5) and Charlotte (3) are enrolled to attend John XXIII College from Year 7.

Advice to young Alumni about study and career choices:
Consider your passions and strengths and also how to benefit society. But also, change it up! Have the confidence to do a few different things and know here’s always a pathway for you.
 

Michael Tucak (Class 1988)

Michael has embarked upon a successful legal career after completing a combined degree in Geology and Law at UWA, and then a Master of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Australian Graduate School of Entrepreneurship in Melbourne. After completing a four-year term as a Cottesloe Councillor, he is now working as a commercial and intellectual property lawyer, and is looking for some new professional challenges, including possibly pursuing his interest in geology. 

Michael says that he greatly enjoys any opportunity to catch up with his school friends:
‘They are all such good people and there is a strong connection that I hope we’ll always have. I always think my school days gave me a sense of the importance of community service and social justice. I’m really proud to hear people talk positively about John XXIII College’s quality of schooling today. I feel very fortunate to be a part of it.' Michael keeps busy with occasionally presenting radio shows on RTRFM 92.1, doing ‘sculpture walks’ in Cottesloe and trying to improve his home handyman skills.

Advice to young Alumni about study and career choices:
There is that ‘sweet spot’ between getting a strong grounding for a future career and following your passions, but ultimately the courage to pursue what you love is what matters.