Gold Leaf Dinner – Reflections on St Hilda’s & Leadership

Sarah Fusinato

At the May Gold Leaf Dinner, 2017 VP, Sarah Fusinato was our speaker for the evening. Here is her speech reflecting on what her time at St Hilda’s meant to her.

Sarah delivers her speech at the Gold Leaf Dinner

Hi everyone,

It’s so nice to see so many familiar faces tonight. For those who don’t know me, I’m Sarah, and I was a student here from 2015 to 2017. I have also been a tutor and Senior Residential advisor. I hail from rural Victoria, having grown up on a dairy farm in Gippsland. This is what ignited my passion for agriculture, which led me to pursue a Bachelor of Agriculture at The University of Melbourne. Transitioning from farm life to the complexities of college and city life was a significant leap—one that shaped my journey of growth, resilience, and leadership.

Arriving at college as a timid 18-year-old, I faced numerous challenges. I arrived on day 1 alone, my parents ended up stuck in Queensland due to a cyclone, and they didn’t make it back on time. I brought with me a portable fan and one suitcase. I quickly realised I had under packed. Another example was in second year when I broke my leg playing for the Hilda’s women’s footy team, a memory I share with some of the people here tonight. However, with the support of the St Hilda’s community, I developed my confidence and leadership skills over my time here at college. And in my third year, I had the privilege of serving as Vice-President. This role was not just a title but a pivotal part of my growth as a person and a leader. It taught me that belonging isn’t about the number of friends you have, but about being part of a community that supports and uplifts you, a lesson that was invaluable during my initial shy days at college.

After college, I ventured into my career in the agriculture industry, navigating through roles from managing a Customer Experience team to my current position as a National Key Account Manager. Each role tested and strengthened the skills I practised during my time here.

Tonight, I’d like to focus on three key themes that have profoundly shaped my development both during and after college (or at least since I was a student as I still haven’t left college. They are community, networking, and mentorship. These elements are intertwined, and I believe foundational to any successful journey.

Community has been a cornerstone of my life. Growing up in a small country town, community is incredibly important to me. And when I left to go to uni, Hilda’s become my new community. Here, I learned the importance of building a healthy support network. This isn’t just about making friends but about creating true connections that will become part of your closest circle when you leave this place. My closest friends now are the people I met at college. And as I moved into the professional world, I found myself building new communities within my workplaces, relying on the skills and comfort I gained from my college days. Because at the end of the day we spend a lot of our time at work, so why not make it a place we love with people we care about. And I am always reassured by the thought that I have a permanent community with St Hilda’s and its alumni—a community based on shared experiences, which is the foundation of all strong relationships.

Next is networking, which I have found particularly important as a woman in a male-dominated field, involves its challenges and considerations. Networking doesn’t have to be the awkward exchanges and small talk that most people picture. In fact, some of the best networking I have done is with my peers when I was a student at college, who have all gone on to do incredible things in their career so far. Networking is about seeing yourself as an equal among peers and recognizing that everyone has something valuable to offer. It’s also about challenging yourself to step outside your comfort zone and build connections that not only support your current roles but also pave the way for future opportunities. And events like this are such an incredible opportunity for current leaders of the college to connect with alum who have been through similar experiences.

Finally, Mentorship has been instrumental in my growth as a leader. Mentors emerge often through networking and are likeminded people (like those in this room) who want to help and support those coming through after them. They will guide, challenge, and inspire you to reach greater heights. I have a wonderful mentor, a previous boss of mine, who has been pivotal in my journey. Having someone who you trust that is able to give you honest feedback and constructive criticism can be rare and is incredibly valuable. I can honestly say I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support and guidance from my mentors who are in my corner and want to see me succeed. And returning to St Hilda’s as an SRA in 2020 allowed me to mentor other students and watch them succeed, which has been an incredibly fulfilling way to give back to this community.

As I reflect on my journey so far, the importance of giving back to the community that shaped me is ever-present. I wouldn’t be where I am today without this college, and the opportunities for growth and learning that it gave me. This cycle of learning, growing, and mentoring is not just a responsibility but a privilege for those of us in this room. It enriches our lives and the lives of those around us, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and support.

I urge each of you to embrace and build the communities around you, actively engage in networking, and seek out mentors to assist you in your growth as people and as leaders. Never underestimate the profound impact of these elements in your personal and professional development.

Thank you.

VPs present on the event, from left Mark Elliman, Justin King & Sarah Fusinato