Georgina attended Emmanuel College from 2021 to 2023. In her second year she was a wingleader, and in her third year was a member of the Students’ Club Executive as Wingleader Coordinator. During her time at Emmanuel, she was the recipient of the Margaret Newman Prize for Community Service, the Cultural Laureate Award and the SD Gill Award.
Georgina is in her fifth and final year of studying a dual degree of Laws/Arts (Honours) at the University of Queensland.
What does success mean to you, and has this evolved over time?
I believe that success means something very different to everybody. For some it means professional accolades and promotions, for others it means security and wealth, and for others it’s measured by the quality of their relationships. For many, success is a tangible thing, while for many others success is nebulous and unquantifiable. While there are normative ways we recognise and celebrate successfulness, fundamentally success is a deeply personal thing.
I feel very fortunate to have grown up with so many incredible female role-models who have embodied diverse, yet equally admirable, notions of success. From my mum who is confident, tenacious, and at the top of her professional field, to my grandmothers who possess kindness and love in limitless supply, to my best friends who are some of the most intelligent, compassionate individuals I know.
Throughout young adulthood, particularly during my time at Emmanuel College, I’ve begun to shape my own notion of what success means to me. At school I might have measured my own success by academic and extracurricular achievements. However, growing up in a community of young adults, and now being a part of the broader alumni community, success stories of so many different shapes and forms are everywhere that you look. Particularly in my two years spent as a wingleader I was introduced to so many inspiring peers who I believe embody success in their selflessness, empathy and care for friends and strangers alike.
As clichédly earnest as the saying ‘it’s about the journey, not the destination’ is, I believe it’s ubiquitous for a reason. Upon reflection when I consider someone successful it’s often because of their personal attributes, passions, challenges they’ve faced, and experiences which have led them to that eventual success. I also believe that a passion for life-long learning is a categorical marker of a person’s capacity for success, which was something I gained a deeper appreciation for through the wealth of opportunities for learning and growth as a student at Emmanuel. Overall, I think that to me success means a future where when I’m older, I can look back and feel pride in the choices that I made, opportunities I pursued, and relationships that I fostered, regardless of ‘the destination’ it led me to.
I have no doubt that the way I measure success will continue to develop and evolve over time. Nevertheless, on the precipice of finishing my tertiary education and venturing into the ‘real-world,’ reminding myself of this kind of success makes me feel more confident when faced with the unknown, particularly as I make choices about my future professional career.
My greatest aspiration is that no matter where I am in the world, no matter my job title or salary, and no matter who I’m with, I wake up every day with pride, passion and a love for what I do. This is how I will know that I have been truly successful.
In 2025 Emmanuel College is celebrating 50 years since women were admitted to the College. If you know of an inspirational female-identifying alumnus, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at alumni@emmanuel.uq.edu.au.
