Doug Witschi

"Yarra taught me to keep an open mind, to look for opportunities and to not place limitations on myself."

Over the past 50 years, Yarra has inspired students to pursue their passions and interests. Yarra Old Grammarian, Doug Witschi, class of 1983, says serving his community while at Yarra, and the values of fairness and equality nurtured at the School, led him to law enforcement.

Doug arrived at the School in Year 7 and formed early friendships on the long bus ride from Doncaster Shopping Centre.

“I made a lot of friends on that bus,” he says.

“I wasn’t the greatest academic student, nor the greatest sportsperson, but the people I met at school and the experiences I had were very positive.”

After leaving high school, Doug eventually enrolled in Victoria Police. He says the sense of indignation he felt after the Russell Street bombing in 1986 and the death of Constable Angela Taylor was a catalyst.

He began as a young constable at Greensborough and remained with Victoria Police for 20 years, working with departments including the homicide squad.

Doug then joined the Australian Federal Police and has worked in intelligence, counter-terrorism, surveillance and people

smuggling. He is currently in Singapore, working with Interpol to support police in 194 countries by harnessing the best available tools, capabilities and technologies.

“I see my work as a calling. I just want to do the right thing and to keep people safe,” says Doug.

“It has been a rollercoaster ride but my work is a passion and I think if people can live their passions, the world will be a much better place.”