We’ve recently had the privilege of reconnecting with Ariane’s parents, Sandrine and Bill, who maintain that she would not have flourished both personally and academically in her life without the skills, strategies and confidence she received at The Shepherd Centre. They have kindly shared with us the remarkable journey their daughter has taken.
Sandrine reflects:
“Ariane’s path was not the simplest, but she managed to overcome all the obstacles, thanks to her tenacity, curiosity, independence, and all the love and encouragement she received from her family, friends and therapists. We will never forget the unconditional support The Shepherd Centre gave us, and the tools you equipped us with which made all the difference in building a secure future for her.”
And what a future it is! After excelling in school, receiving 98.5 in her HSC, she received offers from many of Australia’s top universities. She chose to study at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra, where she recently graduated with a double degree – a Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy, and International Relations, along with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Art History.
Soon after, Ariane was shortlisted for a position with Penny Wong, finishing 5th out of 50 candidates. Whilst not obtaining that role, she now has her dream job in the housing department, helping lead and coordinate Commonwealth policy development, program design and implementation, and service delivery for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Ariane’s world is not all study though! She has found the time to explore the world including a six-month exchange in The Netherlands, independent travel through Europe, a student program in Mongolia, volunteering and teaching English and politics, before travelling to Sri Lanka, India, and Nepal.
Her mother Sandrine added:
“We’re truly grateful that The Shepherd Centre crossed our path and has been such a guiding light – not only for our child but for us as parents too. Especially for me, with my own hearing loss, what you’ve taught me has gone far beyond anything I ever learned from sound therapists during my childhood in France... You’ve had such a lasting impact, and I can’t thank you enough for the guidance, expertise, and encouragement you gave our daughter. The impact of your work has shaped her future, and we are forever grateful.”
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If you’d like a confidential chat, feel free to contact Sue Attar, Key Supporter Manager, on 0481 718 129 or email [email protected]
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