Natasha Wilkinson (nee Hoefer)

"Yarra gave me so much more than two years' of education - it gave me confidence and resilience."

When Natasha Wilkinson (nee Hoefer) joined Yarra Valley Grammar for Years 11 and 12, she remembers putting on her uniform each day and standing tall, strong and proud.

That sense of pride in being a former Yarra student remains years after Natasha left school to start a career that has embraced accountancy, business, marketing, IT and now Aged Care.

“My male cousins came to this school and I wanted to have the same experiences and opportunities that they’d enjoyed. The world was your oyster at Yarra.”

Natasha enjoyed studying Accounting, Biology, German and fondly recalls History lessons with Andrew Hocking. She was a keen athlete and a sports captain and part of the School’s basketball, tennis and swimming teams.

After graduating, Natasha studied at Ballarat University and became an accountant for an insurance company. Later she took on a marketing role with an IT company. Later opting to take some time off to be a full-time mum.

Soon after returning to the workforce part time, Natasha joined the aged care sector, taking on management roles before becoming a CEO.

She says her two years at Yarra were instrumental in fostering an approach to life that is all about exploring, striving and discovering purpose and happiness.

“The School motto remains with me. It gave me a sense of always keeping my eyes open, going for something I wanted and seeking help to achieve it. I drove through the gates of Yarra again today and still felt that sense of inner inspiration.

For me, success is about being where you want to be in the world, feeling fulfilled and being able to smile. It’s all about what makes you tick.”