GINA RAVENSCROFT & CONRAD NATOLI – CLASS OF 2000
It’s always wonderful to hear that some of our College Alumni are now married with children. What’s even more special is when two of them were from the same graduating year.
When did you attend Prendiville Catholic College?
Gina: 2000. I only did Year 12 at PrendivIlle. Prior to that, I was in South Africa.
Conrad: 1996-2000
What were your interests/specialist subjects at school?
Gina: Physics and Chemistry. Also History and English Literature.
Conrad: I always loved English, which led me to be a journalist. I also loved sport as well (footy and track and field).
What is your current profession?
Gina: I am currently a Group Leader at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and UWA. My group explores the genetics of rare diseases and works internationally and collaboratively to identify novel human disease genes and provide answers to families affected with these diseases. We have identified more than 10 novel human disease genes and helped hundreds of families to receive an accurate genetic diagnosis. Many of these diseases are severe and cause early death in children. Knowing the cause of disease in these children is incredibly important for the families. I feel great responsibility to families living with rare diseases, it is also an enormous privilege to be able to do such rewarding and fascinating work. Working closely with incredibly smart people here in Perth but also internationally is an incredible feeling. https://perkins.org.au/perkins-intrapreneur-40-under-40-winner-targets-medical-grant-reform/
Conrad: I am currently a media and communications advisor for the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation. I started my career as a journalist with the Albany Advertiser, before moving to the Manjimup-Bridgetown Times to run the newsroom there. Since moving back to Perth I have worked predominantly as a media advisor for Federal and State Members of Parliament, as well as a Public Relations consultant for an integrated marketing agency and as a consultation and engagement advisor at the Department of Communities. I am now confronting the great environmental challenge of this century with the Department of Water and Environment Regulation.
Describe your experience at Prendiville Catholic College
Gina: It was a blur, I was only there for a year (Year 12) and had a lot to catch up on. I basically had to pack Year 11 and 12 into a single year.
Conrad: Prendiville was a great place to go to school. I didn’t know anyone when I started in year 8, but I quickly made a great group of friends, whom I’m lucky to still call my friends today. I always had fun there and learnt a lot along the way.
How has Prendiville Catholic College influenced you and made you the person that you are?
Gina: My husband, Conrad, also graduated in the class of 2000. We only met up many years later in 2010, at a mutual Prendivillian’s Boxing Day Party. In the February we were dating, in May we visited NYC together, we got engaged in December of 2011 and the rest as they say is history. We have two children, a 7 year old son and 3 year old daughter.
Conrad: The main thing that stands out to me is the opportunities that were available at Prendiville – to explore the things that interested me and find out what I was passionate about. This influenced my career choices and helped me find a path to doing work that I am passionate about. So many people struggle to find what they want to do in this world and I was fortunate to have some great teachers who encouraged me.
What were your most memorable moments at Prendiville Catholic College?
Conrad: Our social events and sports carnivals were always fun, but probably the most memorable moment (which I didn’t realise was significant at the time) was when I met my wife. We’ve now been married nine years and have two beautiful children.