Where are they now? Bessie Orr (nee Simpson)

What year did you graduate?

2006

What were your senior subjects at PSHS?

Maths A, Business Communication and Technologies, Hospitality, English – I also completed a School-Based Traineeship in Tourism and Obtained my Certificate 3 in Tourism Operations.

Where did life take you after you graduated?

When I left school I went straight into a job as a Property Manager Assistant in Airlie Beach. I was there for 6 months, before moving to the Gold Coast to complete my Real Estate Licence and continued to work as a Property Manager Assistant while studying. Once I had completed my course I moved back to Airlie Beach where I was in Real Estate for 7 Years.

What job position are you currently in?

I am now involved in the Sugar Cane Industry. I am self-employed but I wear many different hats within the industry that are all linked together. My husband and I have our own sugar cane farm north of Proserpine, so I help out in the paddock and keep our bookwork and accounts in order. I also work with LOS Harvesting doing the accounts and daily running of the business. I am also a Director on the local Canegrowers Proserpine Board.

Tell us about why you picked the Real Estate and Agriculture Industries and what your study/training journey has been?

I obtained my Real Estate Licence for my job as a Property Manager and have completed a lot of training and courses to keep my skills up-to-date. There is always something new to learn.

I recently completed a 6-month mentoring program through Canegrowers. What a great experience! It was lovely to meet some like-minded people who want to grow their skills and knowledge within the industry. It was such a fantastic program.

Best experience since graduating at PSHS?

The best experience has been the lifelong friends I made in at school, and now watching us all build and grow our own businesses and careers. It's great we are all still in contact, and in some cases, work alongside each other in different industries.

Best advice for current Year 12 students?

All those little moments when you think "We won’t need this when we leave school" turn out that yes, generally, you will need those little life skills at some point. Also, be kind to your teachers. One day you will run into them in the community and may work or socialise with them.