Emma-Rose Parsons

My time on stage in drama at Yarra prepared me to present for 1,000 people on stage as a psychologist.

Soon after Emma-Rose Parsons joined Yarra, she found herself centre stage in the school drama performance, playing Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz.

Emma-Rose arrived at Yarra in Year 10 and quickly made the most of any opportunity that presented itself – from drama and soccer to joining the school magazine committee and debating. She was also captain of the swim and kayaking teams.

“I came to Yarra because I wanted to dip my toe in lots of co-curricular activities. That was encouraged – even if you weren’t that good at something, the school supported you to give things a go,” says Emma-Rose.

Some of her favourite moments at Yarra were spent on stage or backstage. After appearing as Dorothy– her brother played the Cowardly Lion – Emma-Rose continued to learn more about acting, choreography, set design, lighting and stage management. She completed seven VCE subjects, including Drama.

“I knew early on that I wanted to be a psychologist and I did Drama simply because I enjoyed it. But I now spend time presenting to audiences in schools and at conferences and I can do that confidently because I’d been on that big stage at Yarra. Sometimes studying what you want to study because you enjoy it can end up making your career more rounded.”

After leaving Yarra, Emma-Rose studied Psychology at La Trobe University, a course that specifically focused on preparing graduates to work in clinics.

Her work ethic and a high-energy personality means she rarely stays still and has seen Emma-Rose build her career and follow her life passions.

“I’m someone who does lots of things simultaneously and sometimes that is exhausting. But I think it’s important to test drive things and to find out what you like and don’t like. School is a great place to taste test new interests,” she says.

In her spare time, Emma-Rose still doesn’t stand still. She enjoys running in the Dandenongs and is in training for next year’s grueling 240km Coast to Kosciuszko endurance run.

She believes the Yarra motto embodies that sense of constantly exploring and looking for the next challenge or opportunity.

“You need to see what is out there in the world, to be curious about the space you are in and the people around you, to explore new cultures and philosophies and take that all in.”