Kirsten Jackson

“Yarra was a caring school. The teachers cared – it was a community.”

Kirsten Jackson didn’t start painting professionally until her early 30s. Today, her paintings are hung across Australia and she has a waiting list of customers keen to secure one of her works.

Success hasn’t come without hard work and Kirsten having the confidence to follow her passion.

“For my first exhibition, I put in four paintings and none sold. The next year, the same thing happened. But eventually I submitted 21 paintings and they all sold,” says Kirsten.

“No matter what you do in life, it’s important to have confidence in yourself and your work. If you love what you do, that is all that matters.”

Kirsten arrived at Yarra in Year 11 – she was one of the few girls at the school then. She quickly found her place and threw herself into school sports and the arts.

Kirsten was a talented cross-country runner and represented Yarra in competitions. She still runs and has completed 19 marathons across the globe.

“I remember Mr Carroll, our sports teacher, taking an interest in my running. Some lunchtimes we’d go for a run together. I loved racing and it helped my confidence. When I was studying and doing exams, running also allowed me to find some freedom and clear my head,” says Kirsten.

Kirsten also has positive memories of English lessons at Yarra thanks to the support she received in the classroom.

Getting on stage with her peers to perform in the Rock Eisteddfod was also a highlight.

“I think it was the first time that Yarra had performed in the event. We sang a song called Free Nelson Mandela and I loved being part of that,” says Kirsten.

Kirsten also spent time in the Yarra art rooms but says it wasn’t until after leaving school that she decided to make painting her career.

“I experienced some life events when I was younger that people might describe as quite tragic and I started painting to make myself happy. Now I can see that my paintings bring other people happiness and that brings me a lot of joy.”

Although Kirsten only spent two years at Yarra, she says they were important in helping to shape the person she is today.

“It hit me how formative my time at Yarra was during our 30th anniversary reunion,” she says.

“Two of my best friends today are from my school days and I recognise now that the school had an amazing spirit.”

To share your Inspired by Yarra story email Rosie Brown, Director of Development on rosie.brown@yvg.vic.edu.au