Community Partnerships Update | Term 2, 2025
BECA Mentorship Program.
Empowering Year 11 Students.
Our Year 11 students had the incredible opportunity to participate in the BECA Mentorship Program at the BECA head office in Collins Street. Guided by the gender@beca team, this program was designed to foster a supportive and inclusive environment, providing young women with the chance to grow and develop their skills as they consider their future tertiary and professional journeys.
The mentorship experience included one-on-one sessions and small group discussions, offering our students the chance to learn directly from experienced professionals. Students gained valuable insights into BECA’s core values: the importance of teamwork, collaboration, and the collective effort needed to achieve shared goals.
Through these engaging and interactive sessions, our students developed a deeper appreciation for the power of partnership and the significance of tenacity, enjoyment, and care in any career. They gained practical skills and valuable strategies for staying determined and persistent, even when facing complex challenges.
Importantly, students were inspired by BECA’s strong commitment to diversity and equal opportunities. They saw firsthand how inclusive workplaces value everyone’s contributions, and how such environments help individuals to thrive. This experience has left them with a renewed sense of confidence and motivation for their future endeavours.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the gender@beca team for offering this incredible learning opportunity to our Year 11 students.
Multiplex Mentorship.
Year 11 Students Complete the Multiplex Jump Start Mentorship Program for the second successful year.
A group of our Year 11 students completed the Multiplex Jump Start Mentorship Program—a unique and empowering initiative designed by women at Multiplex to provide female and gender diverse high school students with a holistic view of the construction industry.
Throughout three dynamic workshops—Introduction to the Built Environment, a Panel Discussion with inspiring industry leaders, and a hands-on Engineering Workshop—students explored the many facets of the built environment and the wide range of career pathways it offers. The experience allowed them to broaden their knowledge, connect with like-minded peers and professionals, and engage in meaningful mentoring.
For many students, the program was eye-opening and confidence-building:
“Before this program, I didn’t realise how many roles existed within construction beyond just building. It really opened my eyes to new career options,” said one student.
“The panel discussion was so inspiring. Hearing from women in senior roles made me feel like there’s space for me in this industry,” shared another Year 11.
“The mentors were amazing—they helped me see how my interests in design and problem-solving could translate into engineering,” reflected an enthusiastic student.
Congratulations to all participants for stepping out of their comfort zones and engaging wholeheartedly with this exciting opportunity! We are looking forward to the 2026 Multiplex Jump Start Mentorship Program.
Creative Arts Career Circle Webinar.
Inspiring Pathways in the Arts.
On Wednesday, June 25th, Mac.Rob students had the opportunity to hear from four remarkable alumni as part of the Creative Arts Career Circle Webinar, hosted by the Palladians Association. This engaging online session showcased the diverse and inspiring journeys of past students who have forged successful careers in creative fields.
The evening featured novelist and former human rights lawyer Eleanor Elliott Thomas, whose debut novel The Opposite of Success was shortlisted for the Readings Prize for New Australian Fiction. Eleanor shared insights into her unique path from law to literature, highlighting the power of storytelling and the importance of embracing failure as a catalyst for growth.
Hanna Silver, a 2001 graduate and professional musician, spoke about her experiences as a Suzuki piano teacher, composer, singer, and synth artist. Currently a member of the band Lazr Bees, Hanna emphasized the joy of continual learning and self-improvement in her creative career.
Recent 2023 graduate Katinka Schmid brought a fresh perspective as a second-year Theatre student at the Victorian College of the Arts. They discussed how high school theatre productions at Mac.Rob sparked their passion and led to meaningful friendships and artistic growth. Katinka’s love for storytelling and empathy through performance resonated deeply with attendees.
The session also featured Lyshana Ye, Class of 2024, a freelance videographer, photographer, and assistant cinematographer currently studying Film and Television.
Lyshana, who was awarded the 2025 VCE ‘Top Scribe’ Award, shared her experiences with visual storytelling and her journey balancing creative work with university study.
This Career Circle provided students with a deeper understanding of how creative careers can take many forms—unified by passion, perseverance, and purpose. The event not only highlighted the alumni’s professional achievements but also offered practical advice and encouragement for students considering careers in the arts.
The Palladians Association continues to support and inspire current students through these valuable connections with our alumni. For more opportunities like this, students are encouraged to join the Palladians Association and stay connected through upcoming events.
Ms. Rehana Ziyad | Community Partnership Leader