Diploma of Make-up
Workplace learning: L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival

"I would have to say the best thing about VU is the teachers and support network. They were always there for you. They were more than accommodating, always helping . If you wanted to do well they were there for you.

I fell into theatre because my teachers could see how much I loved wigs! The theatrical side of the course was fantastic. One of the teachers got me my first job because of my love of wigs. I was referred to the head of Opera Australia and that started the ball rolling.

And our teachers had done it all as well. They’d worked for Walt Disney and Opera Australia. Everything they taught you was relevant. Now that I’m doing it I can totally relate it to my studies. We studied some things that once upon a time you had to leave the country to learn.

During my studies I worked at L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival and I also had a job where I did make-up three hours a week every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, so I was using certain skills over and over again. The workplace side really gave me an idea of what it was like behind the catwalk. Even after graduation I went back and helped out.

I did a Diploma of Make-up in 2007 and came third as Student of the Year. My mother studied at VU before it was VU and I followed my family, but I also did some research and found it was the best make-up course around.

I’ve worked for Cameron Mackintosh, who’s a big producer, and I’m now working for the Disney company on Mary Poppins in Sydney."

Course studied

• Diploma of Make-up

VU now offers a Diploma of Beauty Therapy and a Diploma of Specialist Make-up Services.