Adele Thompson

“Yarra taught me a lot about myself.”

Growing up in the Yarra Valley, it was perhaps inevitable that Adele Thompson, now Plumridge, would create a career for herself in the equestrian world.

Before holding the position that she has today, Adele has forged her own opportunities in the marketing and design fields and has had roles with Lancôme Paris and the National Trust.

But her strong equestrian connections and her experience in the sport have led her to the dream job she has today.

“I am where I am now because I’ve been open to taking different roads. When a door opens, I’m happy to put my foot inside and see what happens,” says Adele.

Adele joined Yarra Valley Grammar in Year 11. She didn’t know any other students but met a handful of girls at an orientation session who became friends.

“I wasn’t an A grade student – I was more a jack of all trades but I had a strong interest in different sports. I played hockey and softball, I did cross country and I was on the swim team,” she says.

In Year 12, Adele was appointed Sports Vice Captain.

She left Yarra uncertain what career path to take and was offered places on three very different courses – tourism, primary teaching and fashion design. During a summer course, Adele realised she didn’t want to pursue fashion design and she instead took the tourism course that majored in marketing and design.

“I think it’s important for young people to realise you don’t have to know it all as a student. Get an education, follow what you are passionate about and you will find where you fit in,” she says.

While she was studying and throughout her career, Adele has always kept her eyes open for new developments and ways to enhance her skills further. In the late 1990s when she was at university, she signed up for a new course in a then little-known subject called ‘Social Media’!

“If I see something new come along, I’ll have a go. If you think about things too much then that can create roadblocks.”

When she isn’t working, Adele spends time on her rural property with her family. Her daughter has taken on the equestrian mantle and Adele spends a lot of time accompanying her to competitions. Her son is a talented wakeboarder.

“I tell my children to be themselves because everyone else is taken. Do what is true to you and you’ll be happy,” says Adele.