Alumni News
Alumni Inspire VCE Vocational Major Students
At the end of last term, VCE Vocational Major students had the opportunity to engage with three inspiring alumni, who led discussions on a range of leadership styles in real-world contexts.
The alumni guests were selected to showcase different approaches to leadership—from transactional through relational to authoritative—highlighting how leadership can vary depending on role, responsibility, and environment.
Ben Riddle (Class of 1994), Director at Buxton Real Estate, shared his perspective on fostering growth within teams through learning rather than constant direction. He emphasised the importance of shared values and spoke about practical strategies for resolving conflict and building strong, cohesive teams.
Jordan Grossman (Class of 2010) spoke about his leadership experience as a volunteer with the CFA. He highlighted the critical importance of following procedures and clear direction, particularly in high-risk situations where safety is paramount.
Recent graduate Paris Mina-Junoel (Class of 2024) offered insight into his relational/transactional leadership style. Drawing on his experience as College Captain and his current role in an electoral office, Paris spoke about the value of communication, building rapport, and actively engaging others in the process of change.
Students gained valuable insights from the session, with feedback including:
- “It was fun to talk to them”
- “Got lots of advice”
- “Build networks by talking to people”
- “Make people feel comfortable, listen to their opinions and take all the opportunities you get”
- “It’s not all about controlling people—it’s about helping people improve themselves”
We thank these alumni for generously giving their time to support our Vocational Major students.
If you are interested in contributing to our alumni program, please get in touch via alumni@ngsc.com.au or complete the alumni survey.
VCE VM Lit/PDS Alumni visit
