Committee Member in the Spotlight – Kate Robertson

Meet one of your dedicated SA Committee members – Kate Robertson. Kate is your committee’s Vice- President and is the Chief Advancement Officer at St Peter’s College.

If you were to write a book about yourself, what would you call it?

I can safely say that I would never write a book about myself and therefore I will conveniently skip this question…..

What do you like most about Educate Plus?

The warmth, camaraderie and professional support given by and to all of us working in similar roles and environments in the advancement family.  I always feel like time spent with Educate Plus members is like the equivalent of having a spa treatment!  

How has Educate Plus helped you in your career development?  

It has been wonderful to connect with people across SA and interstate (and further afield too) through the Educate Plus family.  From networking, to sourcing specific advice and guidance, to finding inspiration from others – it’s all been readily available and generously given. It was invaluable in the early days of moving from one part of the education to another, helping me come to understand what is ‘normal’ in schools after a decade in higher education.  My professional practice is also enhanced by sharing my arts and university experiences with others.

What is the most rewarding part of your role at St Peter’s College?

One of the highlights of my career was witnessing first-hand the response from a boarding student when someone from overseas had stepped forward to provide a new bursary at very short notice, when he was at risk of leaving school due to a change in family circumstances. Seeing a Year 10 boy in tears of gratitude and relief by the actions of an out-of-sight donor is something that will stay with me forever.

How did you first learn about Educate Plus?

Very soon after arriving in Adelaide (in 2013) someone suggested that my university should join as a member.  It didn’t take long for someone to reach out to me!  I think it may have been Abhra…..

Who would you like to be for a day?

I’m not sure about being someone else for the day, but I wouldn’t miss the chance to hang out with Barack Obama if I could.

Favourite movie?

Too difficult to choose! But my mind immediately brings forward Dirty Dancing, Shawshank Redemption, Grease, Schindler’s List….

What’s one thing you couldn’t live without?

An endless supply of English breakfast tea. (No surprises there!)

Who has had the biggest impact on your career thus far and why?

I’ve been blessed with so many wonderful people touching my career in a positive way; both those I have worked with and those I have worked for.  But if I have to pick one, its Professor Sir David Greenaway who was the Vice-Chancellor at the University of Nottingham when I was there.  He put his faith in me 100% and never questioned that, even when the challenges were enormous: his public support and his belief in me enabled me to reach personal and professional goals I hadn’t dreamed of. He was also a master at leading by example. And he was (is!) just fantastic company. That always helps when you have to spend a lot of time working together!

Favourite travel spot?

Gosh. These questions are verychallenging!  Let’s keep it local: my ‘happy place’ here in SA is Port Elliot and the Fleurieu Peninsula. Can I stretch that to jump across to Kangaroo Island, please? It’s a slice of heaven on earth in my view, and where we were lucky enough to see a playful platypus on one of our visits.

What’s the weirdest job you’ve ever had?

I had a lot of casual jobs when I was a student: newspaper delivery girl, swimming pool lifeguard, incubator and oven cleaner at a hospital (not to be confused), tea lady at a care home which included serving Guinness to elderly ladies for medicinal purposes of course. Nothing was ever weird exactly, but I do look back and laugh about working in a Pizza Hut outlet located within a busy pub in Southampton. When the customer’s order was ready I had to announce on this very loud tannoy in an assertive voice, “Pizza No 24 your order is ready, Pizza No 24 please come and collect!” Early voice-training for corralling an alumni reunion perhaps?

What are your three most overused words/phrases?

“Show not tell.”

“Not all good learning has to come from positive experiences.” A good lesson that someone once passed on to me.

“Ooh, a glass of fizz? Yes, please!”

Kate Robertson
VIce President SA/NT
Chief Advancement Officer
St Peter’s College
KRobertson@stpeters.sa.edu.au