Alumni

Lilli Collingwood

2015 Graduate

Would you like to share anything about your Suncoast experience?

Some of my greatest memories were made during my time at Suncoast. The thing I loved most about it though was the community and the support of the teachers and staff. The intentionality behind everything they do and always making sure everyone felt cared for and supported is something that you don’t just find anywhere. I really do believe Suncoast influenced me to be who I am today.

Your career or personal highlights since graduating?

Since graduating from Suncoast, I studied Design and Communication at USC (University of Sunshine Coast), which I then graduated in 2018. During my time at USC, I travelled to Hong Kong to meet with industry professionals in the field of design, and also travelled to Borneo in Malaysia to work on design projects for the Sun Bear and Orangutan Centres.

After finishing my degree, an unexpected opportunity presented itself after a solo trip to New Zealand. Long story short, I met a stranger at a bus stop in a small town in New Zealand, he told me about his daughter who was also a designer, working for a place called the Museum of Ice Cream in New York City, and told me to look it up. During this entire conversation, I thought he was joking; but he wasn’t. I was super curious about it so I googled it, found their website, went onto their careers page, saw a graphic design internship, and applied without thinking much of it. From that, I received an email back, had a few skype interviews, and was offered the position. So I made the leap at the start of 2019 to begin this new venture, and I have been working here ever since.

During my time at Museum of Ice Cream, my personal highlight was being given the opportunity to design an ice cream truck that appeared in Times Square on our segment in Good Morning America. It was definitely a “pinch me is this real” moment.

Share what you are doing now?

Right now, I’m still living and working in New York City. I am the lead designer for the Museum of Ice Cream and have been working on new digital campaigns and launches for the company.

What are your plans for the future?

I am not much of a planner, after what has happened in the last 2 years… but right now I am actively transitioning into creative ministry and would ideally like to be doing that full time in the future. I also think that I will be in the United States for a while longer, I’m just not ready to leave yet. And obviously, I would love to be married with kids, but that time will come, so for now I’m just living large and making the most of what I’ve been given.

Jo Bouris (nee Miles)

1998 Graduate

Would you like to share anything about your Suncoast experience?

I was at Suncoast from Years 4-12 and made friendships that have lasted well into adulthood. Attending this school gave me a respect and compassion for people in the community through initiatives like visiting retirement homes and having a focus on others. I faced some family challenges during my school years and felt supported and protected through that time by the College staff and community. It also cemented a faith in God through the environment that I experienced. Something that stands out to me all these years later is that the teachers were so encouraging of the subjects that I was passionate about and allowed me to actively pursue these while supporting me to pass the ones that I found to be a greater challenge.

Your career or personal highlights since graduating?

A personal highlight would be marrying my husband Nathan 15 years ago on the Today Show and of course the births of our 3 children, Mia, Evie and Jake. I’ve had many incredible opportunities during my radio career with 92.7 Mix FM, 91.9 Sea FM and Salt 106.5 here on the Sunshine Coast. However one that stands out to me is the trip I did with Mercy Ships Australia to Madagascar, Africa. This organisation provides free medical care on a ship for those who can’t afford it and the team train local dentists and medical professionals to continue the work once they move to the next location. I was so impacted by the volunteers giving of their time to make a difference and how much it changed each individual life.

Share what you are doing now?

I am currently hosting ‘Be That’ for ACCTV which is a TV series that presents common life issues and shares the real stories of individuals who have journeyed through those hardships to find freedom. It is so exciting to see the impact this show is already having through the resource available and the expertise of the clinical psychologists involved with opening up real conversations. It is so nice having more balance in life after years hosting the Salt 106.5 Breakfast Show I am enjoying being around for the school drop off now that our 3 children are in Primary School. I am also really involved at Hillsong Sunshine Coast in the kid’s program and the worship team.

What are your plans for the future?

To stay married and do my best to raise our kids to be responsible adults that contribute to society. Most days we laugh that being parents is beautiful chaos with many challenges but we are doing our best to create fun memories with them. I definitely want to travel a lot more, I have not done enough of this yet! I would also love to expand more into charity work which is what I am passionate about and the opportunities that will come through what I am doing with ‘Be That’.

Dan McMurray

2006 Graduate

Would you like to share anything about your Suncoast experience?

Suncoast was a major part of my creativity as a teenager. I am truly thankful for the environment and culture of arts at the college, as it helped cultivate a lot of my creative potential. The biggest thing I remember was Mr. Hornby working with me in years 11 and 12 to find time within my school timetable to practice, write and create music. This was probably the biggest factor that allowed me to grow into the musician I am today. I am forever grateful for Terry and other teachers at the college for seeing my potential and allowing it to flourish.

Your career or personal highlights since graduating?

I honestly feel so blessed to be doing what I am doing. I truly believe God has opened doors for me that I would never have been able to open myself. I have been living in Los Angeles for around 5 years and have spent my time touring and recording with some incredible artists. I have found myself fortunate enough to play in some of the world’s most iconic venues like Madison Square Garden, Staples Center, The Troubadour, and many others, along with seeing so much of the world and meeting amazing people that have influenced my life.

I would say that one of the most humbling moments in my drumming career was when I received a Grammy plaque in the mail from The Recording Academy for a song that I recorded drums on. It was a song that won a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song. That isn’t a big deal for most people and whilst those kinds of achievements are never something I chase, those are the moments that I am left deeply thankful to God for allowing me to have some kind of small influence on people with the gift He has given me.

Share what you are doing now?

Living and loving life in Los Angeles with my incredible wife and two daughters! I have spent this year recording and touring with Hillsong Worship as well as drumming for an artist named Amanda Lindsey Cook, amongst other things.

What are your plans for the future?

Be the best husband and father I can. Continually aim to better myself musically, find ways to grow my craft and influence other people in different spheres of the music industry. I’d like to continue to tour, whilst also writing songs, composing and recording music a bit more. Honestly, who knows! I often make plans that get turned upside down… so I am just riding the wave!

David Clancy

2013 Graduate

Would you like to share anything about your Suncoast experience?

I attended Suncoast from Years 9 to 12 and have made memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. One thing that is unique about Suncoast is its culture and the kind of people it attracts. I didn’t just receive an education in my chosen subjects, I received a lot more than that. My time at Suncoast definitely had an impact on the person I am today and I am grateful for that. The teachers and staff are invested in the students’ lives and show genuine care and interest. I had some great role models during my time at the College and look forward to the next time I run into one of them.
I remember going to a scholarship interview when I first started at Suncoast and when asked the question, “what would you like to do after you finish school?”, I replied that I wanted to go fishing. Still not sure why I didn’t get the scholarship but funnily enough in my spare time you’ll find me out on the ocean exploring tropical islands or wetting a line.

Your career or personal highlights since graduating?

Getting out and experiencing life to the maximum. In my very early years after finishing school, I had the chance to become an outdoor instructor and it took me to some amazing places and put me in many interesting situations. Within a few months, I went from calling people ‘Sir’ to being called ‘Sir’ and all I can say is that I have much more sympathy for my teachers now, especially knowing what I put them through. 
Another highlight was graduating university and all the experiences that go along with it. It was a lot of hard work but also a lot of fun and I’ll certainly miss those days.

Share what you are doing now?

As a recent graduate, life has stepped up a notch and I’m working full time as an extension agronomist in the Mackay/Whitsunday region. Agronomy covers things like plant nutrition and health (I wish I took better notes in Year 12 Chemistry), and extension is like bridging the gap between research/ new technologies and on the ground operations. I work mainly with sugarcane growers to farm in ways that have less of an impact on water quality, and ultimately the Great Barrier Reef. It’s a challenging job, I’m always learning new things and meeting new people, but it is very rewarding.

What are your plans for the future?

In terms of my career, I’d like to continue in my role and build my knowledge and skill set. There’s always something to research, a skill to refine and a problem to resolve. I want to constantly ‘sharpen the axe’ and become better at what I do. The same thing goes for life in general, of course with a lot of fun along the way. I’m sure a wife and kids will work their way into the equation eventually, but in the meantime, there’s some serious living to be done!