Back from the brink
Catriona Newland, Shepparton Adult, Community Education College
Catriona is committed to education and an inspiration to others.
Catriona left school at 15 and as she says ‘disappeared into a world of drugs’. But her courage, compassion and determination have brought her back from a life of domestic violence and 30 years of drug addiction.
For Catriona a crucial turning point in her life saw her land on Shepparton Adult, Community Education College’s doorstep and begin a new journey.
She enrolled in a number of courses and ultimately completed the Certificate IV in Liberal Arts. She is currently studying a Social Science degree at La Trobe University.
Catriona is not only forging ahead with her own education but she is also a driving force behind the enrolment of others at La Trobe University, who were also experiencing barriers to success.
Catriona has been a mentor to them, supporting and encouraging them to engage in further study. They have said that without Catriona they could never have taken such a step.
Catriona has risen to all the challenges she has faced and has come a long way since first arriving at Shepparton Adult Community Education College. In Catriona’s own words ‘I was lost to education until I came to Shepparton Adult Community Education’.