Rohan Lawton

“I feel fortunate that I went to Yarra. It was a great school back then and it's gone from strength to strength”

Yarra Old Grammarian, Rohan Lawton, Class of 1993, found the School’s prolific sports program fostered an enduring love of cricket and of good health.

Rohan joined Yarra in Year 7 and soon felt at home. A keen sportsman, early on he set his sights on the First XI cricket team.

“I would watch the First XI guys on the Patterson Oval - and I wanted a piece of that when I got older. I was picked in Year 9 and was captain in my final year.”

Rohan also enjoyed English, Literature, Biology and Maths and considered becoming a journalist. But after graduating he took a gap year, played cricket in England and then did a human movement degree at Deakin University. He worked in administration at Tennis Australia, studied more and then persuaded a US technology company he’d dealt with to take him on as their Australian representative.

“One piece of advice I’d give young people is not to wait for the job ad. If you see a gap get on the front foot and sell yourself,” he says.

Rohan feels sport and school taught him teamwork, independence and how to motivate people - all good grounding for the real world.

“Sport also ingrained in me the importance of a healthy mind and body. I think more clearly and feel sharper with exercise.”

The School motto, Levavi Oculos also still has meaning.

“To me it means being aware of how fortunate we are and the opportunities we have in Australia. You just have to wake up and get on with it, because we have it pretty good.”