Jennifer Radford, Class of 2003, began her journey at Bishop Druitt College as a wide-eyed nine-year-old. Her years at BDC laid the foundations for a future defined by intellectual curiosity, compassion, and a strong sense of justice.

After graduating, Jennifer pursued higher education at the University of Sydney before ultimately completing a combined Arts/Law degree at the University of New South Wales. She began her legal career in corporate environmental law but soon felt the pull of more meaningful work. A role with the then-AusAID program took her to the Solomon Islands as a legal aid lawyer for indigenous landowners, an experience that would define the next chapter of her life.

Jennifer’s work in the Solomon Islands spanned seven dynamic years, working across NGOs and government agencies. From taking late-night calls from clients trying to stop illegal logging operations (“don’t use the machete” is not your standard Sydney legal advice), to successfully arguing a high court case that protected an island community from an illegal bauxite strip mine, her time there was nothing short of extraordinary.

A major highlight of her time in the Pacific was her leadership in the development of the Solomon Islands’ largest-ever infrastructure project, an award-winning hydroelectric power dam on Guadalcanal. The project, a collaboration between the government and local tribes, was a groundbreaking step in transitioning the nation from expensive imported diesel to renewable energy.

This passion for sustainable development brought Jennifer back to Australia, where she joined the NSW Government’s EnergyCo. There, she helped design and lead a team that planned wind, solar, and battery infrastructure for the state’s Renewable Energy Zones, a key part of the transition from coal to clean energy.

Today, Jennifer is based in Sydney with her husband, three children, and a beloved rescue dog from the island. While city life keeps her busy, she dreams often of returning to the coast. She’s currently pursuing an MBA at the University of Sydney, supported by a UN Women’s Scholarship.

Reflecting on her time at BDC, Jennifer speaks warmly of the teachers who shaped her path. She credits much of her success to the school’s inspiring staff and the breadth of opportunities she was given, from the creative brilliance of English and drama mentors like John Foulcher and Mark Gillett, to the musical magic of David Slater, the energy of Mr. Guy, and the unforgettable lessons (both academic and life-related) from Barb Kiemski. She even recently found herself recreating Mr. Rodham’s famous “base 10” lecture for her own children.

Jennifer Radford’s journey, from Coffs Harbour to the Pacific Islands and into the heart of Australia’s renewable energy future, is a testament to the power of purpose, and the lasting influence of a supportive school community.

- Barb Kiemski