Ashley O'Connor

“The strong culture we had at Yarra remains today.”

When Ashley O’Connor arrived at Yarra in Grade 6, it was a pivotal point in his education and future career path.

“Yarra redirected me to be more academically focused. I was fortunate to have Adam Kenny as a teacher. He was early in his career then and he was one of the best junior boys’ school teachers. My parents made the right decision in sending me to Yarra,” says Ashley.

Ashley knew nobody at the school, but his passion for basketball soon saw him connect with new friends. Many of those people are still in his life – including one who was best man at his wedding and remains Ashley’s closest friend.

One of his lasting memories of being a student is the depth and breadth of opportunities available to every student.

“Sports-wise and academically, there were so many opportunities. I was with the orchestra for a while and I was part of the Firsts Boys Basketball team in Year 12.”

“I also enjoyed school camps and a Year 8 or 9 rafting trip taught me a valuable lesson. My partner and I were given a blow-up raft that needed quite a bit of patching up and we were a bit lazy. As we paddled down the river, the raft kept filling with water. Our clothes inside got wet, we got wet and it was a painful journey, but that experience taught me to always do things properly!”

Strongly influenced by his father’s career as an accountant, Ashley chose subjects such as specialist maths, accounting, business and economics.

His economics and accounting teacher, Mr Gooden, suggested a degree in Actuarial Studies, which Ashley completed. He went on to work in the actuarial field and then moved to asset consulting and funds management.

“I’ve been in funds management for the past 11 years and it’s a competitive industry. You have to think on your feet and be good with numbers, as well as people,” says Ashley.

Asked what his classmates from the Class of 1995 would most remember Ashley for, he nominates ‘maths, basketball and being approachable’.

“I had different friendship groups but of the 93 boys who were in my year level, I’m still in good contact with 19 of them,” he says.

“I think to still be in touch with that many classmates so many years later is indicative of how special Yarra is – it lives with you forever.”