Anna Johnston

“Growth is one of my top values. If I’m learning different things, that energises me.”

Anna Johnston spent her entire school life at Yarra, joining in Grade Prep. She has many happy memories of school camps, lasting friendships, music performances and spending 12 months in France as an exchange student.

“My best friend today is my friend from Prep and I clearly remember Year 4 camp at Glenmaggie. It was the middle of winter and there wasn’t a lot of heating, but we had so much fun,” says Anna.

At Yarra, Anna enjoyed the music program – she did trombone, cello, piano and flute – and in Year 9 she decided to go on a French exchange, recognising it would take her out of her comfort zone and be a valuable learning experience.

“I knew that being overseas I’d have to dive in and give it a go. Now I’m very happy to chat to people and to take the initiative.

Today my report card would say I’m comfortable with putting myself out there and trying new things.” she says.

By Year 10, Anna knew her future was in business and commerce and she studied Commerce at Monash University, majoring in Accounting and Economics. She is a chartered accountant.

“I was firm that I wasn’t going to be an accountant but in my first year of uni I did it as a subject and I could see it was a valuable language in business. I think whatever you think you will start out doing once you leave Yarra, you shouldn’t close yourself off to opportunities.”

Anna’s work is focused on corporate restructuring. She helps businesses that are experiencing periods of stress, perhaps due to a shortage of cash or operational issues, find ways to stabilise and uncover future options for growth. Each job is different and is an opportunity to learn and grow her expertise.

Being focused and working hard to achieve goals have also been part of Anna’s modus operandi since her days at Yarra. Her friends were similarly focused.

“My peer group were hungry to do well and that does encourage you and creates a bit of competition. One person I know was famous at school for getting 100 per cent on a test and saying they could have done better!”
Anna recalls the School motto and, for her as for many YOGs, it still has meaning.

“Focus on the future, don’t spend too much time dwelling on the past and focus on those around you, not just yourself,” she says.