Reflecting on her time at Fintona, what resonates for Louise was a sense of empowerment fostered by dedicated teachers and a close-knit community. Based on the principles of hard work and striving for personal excellence, Louise recalls how this shaped her self-belief and courage, laying the foundation for her ambitious pursuit to compete at the Olympic Games firstly in volleyball then beach volleyball (Louise competed in the Sydney 2000 Olympics, London 2012 and Rio 2016).
Being part of a school community Louise says meant that there was a culture of celebrating effort and promoting a ‘have a go mentality’. There were numerous times that Lousie took part in cocurricular activities that taught her new skills and ignited new interests.
Among the pivotal lessons learnt at Fintona that continue to guide Louise’s career, was the importance of integrity both within and beyond the classroom. This principle has consistently informed her approach to professional endeavours, emphasising ethical consistency and reliability.
The supportive environment and enriching experiences at Fintona continue to resonate throughout her career shaping her leadership style and commitment to personal and professional growth including as assistant coach of beach volleyball at Stanford University and as an ambassador of the ‘Believe in Sport’ campaign for the Paris Olympics.
Louise is currently a member of the senior leadership team at the South Australian Sports Institute, an elected member of the global volleyball FIVB Athletes’ Commission and a board director of Volleyball Australia.