Finishing high school at the end of Year 9 didn’t stand in the way of Kristy McDermott following her passion and gaining a dual qualification in horticulture and landscape design.

Kristy’s partner has a lawn mowing business and she wanted to study in an area that would incorporate her passion while at the same time complementing the family business. She wanted her children to see her find a career that aligned with her heart, and that dropping out of high school early did not mean she had to be relegated to mundane unskilled work for the rest of her working life.

Kristy has started her own business designing landscape projects and bringing them to life. She works hand in hand with her partner, who offers his services to maintain the completed projects.

Kristy feels a huge sense of achievement from obtaining a qualification and at her graduation she was awarded the RA Wearne Award for Excellence in Learning.