Meg Walsh has worked hard all year and will reap her rewards after a gap year. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
For the past three years, Region has profiled high achieving Year 12 graduates in the Riverina. We ask them to reflect on their schooling life and find out about their inspirations, what they’d change about the education system, their plans and dream career.
On this occasion, we meet Marian Catholic College’s Meg Walsh, a conscientious quiet achiever who has received early entry offers to study law and communications at the prestigious Macquarie University and Notre Dame. Although she loves her hometown of Griffith, she has set her sights on a career abroad.
Name: Meg Walsh.
Age: 18.
Primary school: St Patrick’s.
High School: Marian Catholic College.
Reason for your success – hard work or natural ability?: A bit of both. There’s definitely hard work that has to be put in; you can’t do it on natural ability alone.
Best memory of school: The Year 12 retreat. We got to bond with everyone in our year group and had plenty of support.
Naughtiest thing you ever did at school: I’m pretty quiet, I don’t think I’ve ever done anything naughty.
Teacher that inspired you: Our Year 12 coordinator, Ms Centofanti. She was supportive and helped us through the whole year with everything.
One thing you’d change about the education system: The pressure around the HSC; it would be good if that could be eased.
Role model: My sister Ellie. She was the first in my family to go to university. She is doing nursing in Canberra.
Famous person you most admire and why: Gracie Abrams, an American singer. She does a lot of advocacy for what’s right, like on inequality.
Plans for 2026: I’ll take a gap year, stay in Griffith, and get some work. Perhaps as a receptionist. Then I’ll move to either Sydney or Melbourne for university.
What will you miss most about Griffith: The community and my friends and family. My favourite restaurant is Booma Thai.
What won’t you miss about Griffith: The lack of opportunities we have jobwise compared to what the big cities offer.
World travel destinations you have visited: Hawaii and Bali.
One place you’d love to see: London.
Social issue you most care about: Equality. I believe everyone should have what they need to achieve.
Special skills: I’m a good writer – especially at analytical pieces.
Dream career job: International public relations, overseas in England.
If you know a Riverina Year 12 student worthy of recognition drop us a line at [email protected] or call 0498 843 181.
