We recently reconnected with Old Collegian Zac Evers (SPC 2001-06) who is using his extensive industry experience to solve problems across the mining, energy and Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) platforms. He credits his SPC education for enabling him to work as part of a team and lead with integrity.
Where has life taken you since leaving SPC?
Following Year 12 in 2006, I went on to study economics and finance at the University of Ballarat, graduating in 2010.
Work-wise, I went on to work for Kempe Engineering in a commercial graduate role, which led to some travel opportunities and eventually a move to Melbourne 2012 to work for Macquarie Bank in their new bulk grain export business doing cargos of Australian wheat and barley into Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
This led to a lot of focus on maritime and trade, where I went onto spend five years with a BHP/Rio Tinto JV – RightShip, in various strategy roles focusing on providing bulk exporters of mining and agricultural commodities with supply chain and vessel analytics and risk management solutions, while also completing an MBA at RMIT University.
For the last five years I have been working with PwC Australia as a Director in their management consulting business, using my experience help solve a range of problems out in industry across mining, energy and FMCG.
Life is very different these days as a dad to two girls. I married my wife Zoe in 2016 in Melbourne, where we have settled in the Northern suburbs.
Do you have family ties with SPC?
Unfortunately not. Just myself.
What are your fondest memories of your time at St Patrick’s College?
Twenty-plus years on, I look back at things like the Year 9 program, where we had four camps for the year across the beach, city, snow and bush, along with a lot of different immersion-style learning modules, which was very different at the time and memorable.
Which teacher from your time at SPC had the greatest impact on you? Why?
Geoff Brodie was an important figure in my journey. I was an average student across most areas, where Mr Brodie was able to challenge me in a positive way with more abstract concepts applied to the content that helped me look at things differently and accelerate, along with being more prepared for uni life. His ‘structure of knowing’ still rings true today – shout out to Mr Brodie.
How has your education shaped your professional life?
It’s enabled me to work as part of a team and lead with integrity, along with continuing to learn and evolve professionally which is important in my current work.
How has your time at SPC shaped your personal values and your family life?
It has made me want to ensure my daughters get to experience similar things in their journey, where it’s a really important part of development and life in general.
If you could pass on one message to the students of today, what would it be?
Working hard and being good to people goes a long way, and almost always results in good things.
