Alec Pokarier - Class of 2013

Can you tell us a bit about your time as a student here at Coomera Anglican College?

Being a ‘Navy brat’ meant our family followed Dad all over Australia in my baby years until my parents decided to permanently settle on the northern Gold Coast. Thankfully, this meant my Coomera Anglican College journey began in Year 1 back in 2002. 
 

My Mum loves telling the story of my enrolment interview with former Head of Primary Mr Kirkpatrick (crazy socks Mr K as I would soon learn).  Mum was very nervous so I was told to be on my best behaviour as we entered Mr K’s office and I was asked plenty of questions to which I replied short and sharp while staring at a College photo on Mr K’s desk. 

As the meeting finished I finally turned to Mr K and proudly shouted “435 students!”. Mum sank back into her chair as she realised I’d been busy counting students in the photo for the entire interview. But I always rebut that it obviously worked because my enrolment was approved and as they say the rest is history!

What did you like about studying at Coomera Anglican College?

It was pretty special starting my education in the early years when we shared the College grounds with a Cattle  farm and we got to develop alongside the College as it turned into what is now a state-of-the-art campus. It was a real journey together and it was only made possible by some incredible educators passionate about our future. I was privileged to have so many influential teachers across my journey and some incredible peers who challenged and tested me along the way all spearheaded by a fantastic value system and a real culture of respect and personal responsibility.
 

Can you tell us what you have been up to since leaving THE College?

Since graduating from Coomera Anglican College, I began working in corporate events for some of Queensland’s largest tourism employers right here on the Gold Coast. Businesses like Warner Village Theme Parks, Dreamworld and The Star Gold Coast. In 2015, I transitioned into Government working as a Community Engagement Officer at State and Federal levels.  

My roots are firmly on the northern Gold Coast and after knocking back job offers to move to Brisbane or interstate, I remain a passionate advocate for our community here in the north. I’m now looking forward to fighting for our fair share as a candidate in the upcoming Gold Coast City Council elections.

 

What are your passions in life?

I’ve always had a passion for planes, I try to get up in a Cessna 172 once every month to clear my head and think, I find it a lot easier thousands of feet in the air. 

As mentioned, I have a passion for serving our community and trying to make it an even better place to live. I’ve held several leadership roles in our community and beyond, including Treasurer of the Gold Coast Junior Chamber of Commerce, 2014 Youth Member for Coomera, State and District Judge of the Lions Youth of the Year competition, the Gold Coast District Neighbourhood Watch and member of the Gold Coast Northern Chamber of Commerce. During weekends I’m a sporting tragic, so you’ll find me at the Coomera Crushers Rugby Union Club and on the sidelines watching the Ormeau Shearers Rugby League teams or courtside at the Ormeau Pimpama Royals Netball games. 

 

Have you had any moments of life-defining change that shaped you into the person you are today?

I’ve had plenty of low and high points in my life that have helped shape me into the person I am today. I’m by no stretch of the imagination a perfect person and I fight tooth and nail against such an ideal. In the new age of social media we have such a concerning attitude in our young people to alter ourselves to suit a false sense of perfection. It’s something that I try my hardest to fight against and I always try to show my faults and flaws as well as my success. I never want to be the type of person that pretends to be perfect and with the growing issue of youth mental health I want to try and be a positive role/real model for our future generations.