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鈥淵arra had a culture of being successful - and that being OK.鈥�

Marie-Louise鈥檚 school reports often read 鈥榯alks too much鈥�, but her ability to connect with others and to bring out the best in the people around her saw Marie-Louise elected as a Prefect and House Captain.

The ability to connect, communicate and empathise have remained with Marie-Louise and have helped her in her career.

鈥淚 think the personal development skills I learned early on at Yarra progressed when I began working in teams in hospitals. My work involves a lot of talking, listening and building rapport and those skills started at Yarra,鈥� she says.

Marie-Louise joined Yarra in Year 7 and threw herself into school life.

鈥淵ou could thrive in different areas 鈥� Arts, the Ski Team, Debating, Drama. Everyone had the opportunity to shine and teachers encouraged you to try things and not to worry if you didn鈥檛 always get it right.鈥�

Marie-Louise worked hard in her senior years and initially went to university to study Social Science. But after a year she wasn鈥檛 convinced she鈥檇 found what she wanted to do and took a travelling break.

When she returned she studied Social Work and spent seven years at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and then St Vincent鈥檚 Hospital.

During a placement while studying, she worked in an Eating Disorder Unit and, supporting people living with an eating disorder has become a speciality for Marie-Louise in her own practice.

She also works with people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) after being diagnosed with CFS herself in her late twenties.

鈥淚 was sick for four years and doctors didn鈥檛 know what was wrong with me. At the time it was very painful and I felt I was missing out on life but it made me evaluate what is important in life and how to make better decisions for myself,鈥� says Marie-Louise.

Today, success for Marie-Louise is about being happy and authentic. She has a young son and prioritises time to do what she enjoys, rather than being busy for busy鈥檚 sake.

Growing her family and her business are part of her future plans in the next three to five years. Further travel is also on the cards when COVID restrictions ease.

鈥淚鈥檝e travelled through Asia with a small backpack and I鈥檝e hiked the Inca Trail in South America. I love sampling the food and meeting new people,鈥� she says.

鈥淚 have family living in the US and I can鈥檛 wait to go back to New York because it鈥檚 always buzzing.鈥�