Where Are They Now? Remi’s Story
Welcome back to a new issue of Where Are They Now? Stories of TLG Alumni, where we take the opportunity to showcase the amazing work of individuals in their local community. This week we share the spotlight on Remi Kelly. Remi volunteered with TLG from 2013 to 2016 whilst studying Law and Commerce at UWA. She’s had a diverse and varied career, and currently works as an employment and safety lawyer at Hall & Wilcox, an Australian commercial firm that provides pro bono legal support to TLG.
Remi wore many hats during her time with TLG, moving through roles such as Tutor, Coordinator, Chief Financial Officer, Rural Program Supervising Officer and Chief Information Officer. She also served on TLG’s Board from 2015 to 2016, helping to oversee TLG’s fast expansion during this period.
“TLG grew rapidly during my time with the organisation. For instance, we hired our first full time CEO, expanded the Rural Program to a number of new schools and launched the eMentor program.”
Remi (bottom row, third from left) on her final Rural Program to East Kalgoorlie Primary School.
When asked about her most memorable moment as a TLG volunteer, Remi recalls her final Rural Program to East Kalgoorlie Primary School. Having grown up in Kalgoorlie, some of the students Remi tutored lived on the same street that she’d previously grown up on.
“It was incredibly humbling to see the differences in our educational outcomes at the same age, purely because we were born into different families, and it made me even more passionate about tackling educational inequality.”
Upon graduating from university, Remi began working as a lawyer at a commercial firm before moving to London to work for BibliU, a start-up run by TLG co-founder Dave Sherwood. Here, she managed to have an impact on Dave outside of his work:
“I introduced Dave Sherwood to his now wife Victoria Robinson! Vicky (who is English) and I were both exchange students in Denmark in 2012. I introduced them when I was visiting London in 2014 and they secretly started dating! So I suppose TLG could lead to you meeting your future spouse?”
After working in the UK, Remi decided to return to Perth to pursue her law career, specialising in employment and industrial relations. After moving from union work to the Department of Health, she finally returned to commercial practice with Hall & Wilcox. In collaboration with her colleague, former TLG board member Scott Meacock, she organised a pro bono assistance partnership between TLG and Hall & Wilcox. This has allowed Remi to continue supporting TLG through her work.
Remi at the TLG 10 Year Gala, annoucing the Rebecca Egan Spirit of TLG Award.
Remi strongly encourages people to stay connected with TLG even after they have finished their university studies. “Keep thinking about ways you can help TLG in your chosen career – whether it be pro bono assistance, running a fundraiser at work, or connecting TLG up with sponsors.”
Remi’s advice for young people who are still uncertain of their future career is to keep an open mind.
Remi with good friend Bec Egan. The two met in Febuary of 2013 on the TLG Executive.
“You might have formed an idea of what your career is going to look like, and that’s a good starting point, but you really have to experience things to figure out what you like and don’t like. Be flexible and remember that changing jobs isn’t the end of the world – in fact, it could be the beginning!”
Remi found her time on TLG extremely valuable for her future careers and life overall. “Aside from having wonderful opportunities to pitch to sponsors, develop and present volunteer training programs and manage a number of teams of volunteers, I gained an incredible network of friends through TLG – some of whom ended up being my colleagues later in my career.”
Some of Remi’s closest friendships were formed during her time at TLG including with current CEO Bridget Staude. “I finally found my people when I started volunteering at TLG. It was truly life changing.”
Written by TLG’s Public Relations Officer, Luke de Castro.