Alumni

Michael Belsar is an Australian musical director, producer, and songwriter known for his extensive work in the music industry. He has worked with numerous high-profile artists, including G Flip, Hayden James, Fazerdaze, Genesis Owusu, Flight Facilities, Tones & I and more. His notable achievements include winning an ARIA award for his work on the G Flip drummer tour, which sold out all shows worldwide in 2024.

Michael also produced and co-wrote multiple singles for Hayden James’ album Lifted and co-produced a song with Bob Moses titled “Do You Want Me.” Earlier in his career, he was a member of the band Hunting Grounds, which won Triple J Unearthed High in 2009, leading to tours and festival performances.

Another band of his, Twinsy, had one of the most played songs on Triple J and performed at major festivals like Splendour in the Grass. In addition to his artistic talents, Michael’s influence extends to directing live shows for several artists, making him a respected figure in both the creative and performance aspects of the music industry.

Ian Richardson, a proud 2014 graduate, has taken his passion for performing from the classroom to the world stage. It all began in high school, where Ian discovered a love for physical expression in Drama classes while developing his athletic abilities through the Specialist Sport program. It was during his participation in the school production of ‘Grease – The Musical’ that Ian knew he wanted to make performing his career. Circus, surprisingly, became the perfect way to combine his passions for performing, fitness, mindfulness, and making people laugh.

After graduation, Ian was accepted into the National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA). The following year, he moved to Melbourne to train in Hand Balancing, Clowning, and Pass Juggling under teachers from Shanghai, Russia, and Australia.

Ian has since travelled the world, with his career taking him the United States, Canada, Spain, Italy, France, Indonesia, North Africa and extensively across Australia. Ian has performed in Big Top circus rings, at sea, private galas, hotel promotions, and sold-out Fringe Festival shows. Along the way, he has worked with incredible artists, technical crews, and coaches who continue to inspire and guide him, making his work both fun and rewarding.

This year, Ian returned to Australia, taking on the lead Character Clown role in “Infamous the Show’, operated by the world-renowned Ashton family, who have been touring big top circus productions for an astounding 174 years.

In addition to performing, Ian co-hosts The Cheeky Podcast, an educational series with over 40 episodes, where he teaches people what Clowning is all about.

Amy McDonald is a talented professional athlete making waves in the AFLW as a key player for the Geelong Cats. A graduate of BHS from the year 2015, Amy’s love of football began at a young age, including playing football at school and for the Redan Football Club. Her dedication to the sport led her to pursue a pathway that allowed her to showcase her impressive skills on the national stage.

Since being drafted to the AFL in 2019, Amy has become known for her exceptional work ethic, resilience, and fierce competitive spirit. A midfielder with a remarkable ability to read the play, earning recognition as one of the league’s leading players, Amy has won the Geelong Best and Fairest count on three occasions and was selected for the AFL Women’s All-Australian Team in 2022. Her determination and leadership qualities on and off the field have made her a role model for aspiring female athletes.

Brett completed Year 12 with a partly-formed notion, based on his experience as a Rotary Exchange Student, that he was interested in international relations and public policy.

Six years, and a BA(Hons) degree later, he joined the Department of Foreign Affairs as a diplomat. He loved the policy work in Canberra but his posting to the Australian Embassy in Mexico was frustrating – so much so that he resigned and returned to Australia early in 1977. After a brief stint teaching at what is now the University of Canberra, Brett joined the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) becoming, in time, the RAAF’s senior intelligence officer and later senior security officer. He then moved into capability development and sponsored a two billion dollars portfolio of Defence projects including several involved with space.

In 2002, Brett retired from the RAAF and joined the space team of Cisco Systems – a global IT company. In 2010, he founded a consulting company that specialises in space and cyber security policy development, advocacy and education.  Brett chairs the Advisory Committee of the Victorian Space Science Education Centre (VSSEC) and devotes much time to strengthening the Australian space sector.

Brett’s motto: be defined by your values and interests and not your qualifications.

Paul Wiltshire is a lifelong technologist and musician who began his professional career as a record producer, audio engineer and songwriter. He achieved global recognition, producing and/or writing music that achieved 12x #1 chart-topping albums/singles and 28× top 20 albums/singles including over 20 multi-platinum, platinum and gold awards.

Paul and his family relocated from Australia to the United States in 2013 to develop a global B2B tech-enabled music licensing marketplace that solved the inefficiencies, rights fragmentation and poor data issues in the music industry. Songtradr, Inc. was launched in 2014. Today, Songtradr is a globally-recognised leading B2B music technology company. Paul has stewarded Songtradr from its inception, guiding the company’s vision, business development, financial, marketing and M&A strategy, product development and customer acquisition.

Late in 2023 SongTradr announced they were acquiring Bandcamp, one of the fastest growing private companies in America.

A US, Australian and British Citizen, Paul considers himself a citizen of the world. He is passionate about the human condition and is an avid reader and studier of history, economic and political evolution, social science, technological advancement and living a fulfilling life.

After school, Renata and her ‘high school sweetheart’ (now husband…yes they are still together!), Neil Roberts, made their way to Melbourne to complete university. Unbeknownst to Renata, this would be the first of four degrees she would undertake.

Renata then worked in the mining industry for over 21 years in a diverse portfolio of functions including HR & Capability, Safety & Health, Risk Management & Audit, Industrial Relations, Communications, Community Engagement, and IT.

Renata was awarded in 2020 the NSW Exceptional Woman in Mining Award and then went on to be the first NSW nominee to win the Exceptional Woman in Australian Resources Award for her leadership and work within the industry. In 2022, Renata was selected among the 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining for her passionate advocacy for diversity, inclusion, and mental health.

Since July 2012, Renata has worked with The Bloomfield Group in Newcastle, NSW, and is currently the Chief Corporate Services Officer. Renata is a Non-Executive Board member for Firstchance, a not-for-profit organisation providing early intervention for children with disability developmental delays.

Recently, Renata has added author to her list of achievements having self-published a series of children’s books called Join Jackson’s Journey, which is inspired by Neil & Renata’s 7 year-old and is designed to strengthen the leaders of today and build the leaders of tomorrow.

Andy Anderson is a CEO, TV and podcast host, pro athlete, internationally published author, renowned business coach and serial entrepreneur who has been in the trenches building and scaling companies for over 18 years, including multiple seven-figure businesses.

From building large scale franchise systems, owning cafes & bars, raising millions in capital investment, producing network TV shows, securing international book deals and coaching hundreds of thousands of clients globally on mindset, health and business.

Andy is the founder of Relentless Education, where he empowers coaches, consultants, and service-based entrepreneurs, to consistently achieve profitable sales figures. Additionally, he spearheads Change Labz as CEO and founder – a venture aimed at transforming lives and driving lasting change through mindset, nutrition and movement. His TV show “The Change Labz Challenge,” has captivated audiences in Australia, and his book “The Ultimate You,” unveils a step-by-step stratagem to shatter self-limiting beliefs and unlock the boundless potential within. Andy’s podcast “Relentless Education”, explores topics such as conquering fears, overcoming limitations, triumphing over failure, and embracing challenges to unleash one’s full potential.

Andy has a unique real-world edge and perspective on building self-leaders and companies that he is passionate about sharing.