Andrew Siebel

"I had a passion for Maths and Science and teachers who inspired me.”

Andrew Siebel’s earliest memories of joining Yarra in Year 5 are wearing the school blazer and trying not to put holes in his pants when playing with mates on the oval.

“The blazer was a big investment for my parents and avoiding putting holes in my pants while playing sport at lunchtime and recess was tricky. I also remember Dad being the expert at tying the school tie – a double Windsor knot – but by Year 8 or 9 I’d mastered that,” says Andrew.

Sport was a theme throughout his time at Yarra. He played cricket and became captain of the first XI hockey team – sports he still plays.

Andrew’s love of Maths and Science saw him enter interschool competitions in those areas. The Tournament of Minds program sparked an interest in Science and experiments that has helped lead him to his career today with the University of Melbourne.

He manages a team of 20 data specialists working across the university faculties who help process and interpret research data.

One project saw the development of the Melbourne Pollen app that can be downloaded and alert people in Melbourne when the pollen count is higher.
“Levels of pollen in the air are measured and that data is analysed and forecasts what the pollen season will look like based on historical data and predicted weather patterns,” says Andrew.

“Every day is different in my role. One day we will be dealing with health data and the next we could be working with big projects in social sciences, engineering, education or fine arts.”

Andrew has clear memories of good times at Yarra. He was a House Vice-Captain, loved school athletic days and swimming carnivals and threw himself into whatever activities and opportunities were open to him.

“I wrote a few creative essays in Year 12 that I was pleased with. I had great teachers who encouraged me,” he says.

“I also remember working on a Science assignment with a friend and we created an ‘ultimate beast’ by taking the best parts of different animals and putting them together.

“I played trumpet with the concert band and was at Yarra when the Performing Arts Centre was built which was exciting.

“And I remember the hot dogs in the café! Mum volunteered there and hot dogs were the prized possession. The oven only fitted about 20, so if you were five minutes late, they’d be gone. But because Mum volunteered there, she stashed one away for me!”