FOR Irene Price and Kylie Richards, working at Shepparton ACE Secondary College is about much more than administration; it is about helping create a safe, supportive environment where young people can thrive.
With 16 years at ACE, Business Manager Irene Price has watched the school evolve from an Adult Education Community into a Year 7-12 secondary college, while maintaining its small-school approach.
After beginning her career in administration, bookkeeping, compliance and HR, Irene established ACE’s compliance administration role before stepping into the Business Manager position five years ago.
“I was nervous at first because the role involved so many new areas for me, but I took on the challenge, and here I am five years later,” she said.
Today, Irene oversees finance, government funding, budgeting, HR and general administration, supporting the college to operate smoothly behind the scenes.
Admissions and Compliance Officer Kylie Richards has been part of the ACE team for five-and-a-half years, initially joining as a receptionist before moving into compliance.
For Kylie, one of the most rewarding aspects of her role is watching students grow. This year, she will see some of the Year 12 students she welcomed as Year 7s graduate.
“I love what the school stands for: kindness, safety and responsibility,” she said.
Both women value the relationships they have built with students, families and colleagues, describing ACE as a workplace where staff genuinely support one another.
Their advice to young women entering the workforce is simple: stay curious, keep learning, ask questions and embrace opportunities to grow.
For Irene, experience is also something to value.
“There’s a Chinese saying, ‘It’s the older ginger that is the spicier one’,” she said. “Experience and wisdom come with time.”
