Florence McGufficke and James Bloomer

Florance McGufficke

Home town: Cooma NSW

Degree: Bachelor of Agriculture and Bachelor of Business

I have grown up in Cooma on my family’s Merino sheep farm, Greendale Merinos.  I am an outdoors person and have been involved with all aspects of farming and have had lots of sheep, dogs and other pets whilst growing up.

I was educated at St Pats School Cooma until I moved to Frensham, Mittagong where I boarded from Year 9 -Year 12. I enjoyed my time at Frensham, where I had dedicated teachers, played a variety of sports, completed my Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award and was involved in the school show-cattle team. During my final year at school I was lucky to be elected Head of McCarthy house (year 12 boarding house), vice-captain of netball and a Prefect. I made lifelong friends and developed leadership and communication skills for which I am grateful.

I took a Gap year in 2017 when I travelled to England and worked at St Albans High School for Girls. This was an amazing experience, it allowed me to live overseas and work and travel the world. It definitely took me out of my comfort zone and was one of the hardest but most rewarding years of my life so far. It taught me independence and how to embrace and overcome numerous life challenges.

I applied and was accepted to St Alberts college where I began studying in 2018. Choosing to study at UNE and live at Albies have been decisions I would not change.

I have been given many opportunities whilst living at Albies. I’ve created new lifelong friends, am playing a variety of sports, am enjoying my degree and sit on a number of committees. The environment which is created at Albies is inviting and it doesn’t matter where you’re from - everyone becomes part of the ‘Albies family’.  Albies is definitely my home away from home. I would like to think during my time here that I have been a role model for future students and have aligned myself with and fulfilled the College vision and values. We are encouraged to give back to the community and each other, while displaying respect and responsibility.

I am enjoying studying at UNE, it is a dynamic University with the latest resources and access to lecturers and tutors who are passionate about the courses they are teaching.  It is great to be surrounded by motivated and like-minded people who have become great friends of mine. Albies and UNE both encourage your academic, sporting and cultural pursuits.

I am grateful for all the opportunities I have been given and would like to thank everyone who has guided and believed in me, especially my family. I am excited for the future, especially in Agriculture, an area I am very passionate about. It is a very diverse yet sustainable ever-changing sector which I believe has a very prosperous future.

I look forward to embracing the future and being empowered to face life’s challenges.

James Bloomer

Home town: Grafton

Degree: Bachelor of Business

I hail from Grafton in the Clarence valley of Northern NSW, I went to school in my hometown and grew up surfing and skiing on the mighty Clarence River. My family operates an Australia wide transport business that I am employed in to drive interstate throughout our Uni holidays. My time at Albies has been the 3 best years of my life and I’ve made absolute lifelong mates in my time here and I’m looking forward to my last 6 months at this awesome college. #upupstalberts