Clarence recently received knighthood into the ancient Catholic Order known as the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

One of the mentors of the 2021 Av�԰� Christi College Mentor Program, Clarence is no stranger to many around the College.

Graduating from Av�԰� in 2009, the following years saw him pursue a double degree in Engineering (specialising in Mining Engineering) and Commerce (Majoring in Human Resource Management) at the University of Western Australia.

After graduating from UWA with First Class Honours, he began working at the Boddington Bauxite Mine for South32, where he stayed for almost seven years in a variety of roles which included drill and blast design engineering and coordination, drill prep supervision and weekly mine scheduling.

This past year has been an eventful one for Clarence, moving companies to begin working FIFO for BHP as a Weekly Mine Scheduling Engineer at their South Flank Iron Ore Mine.

So what does he do in his role as Weekly Scheduler?

“Essentially, I plan what the operation teams are doing for the week on the mine site,” Clarence explained.

“All the trucks, excavators, drill rigs and blast crew are assigned jobs based on what I plan for the week. It is a very fast paced role that present many challenges, but one which is rewarding.

“I’ve been very fortunate in my career and love the role and the industry I’m in, because of the opportunities within the mining industry.

“Each day as a Weekly Planner, new challenges are brought to my desk, and my job is the ensure each stakeholder is collaborated with so the plan I send out is the most efficient and maximises value.

Speaking about his school years, Clarence says the subjects he studied may not necessarily relate to the work he does now on a daily basis but laid the foundation for his future.

“I took the top two math subjects which were Calculus and Applicable Math, as well as Physics, Chemistry and English 3A/3B. 

“Do I use physics and chemistry daily in my work? No. However, in my role, there are times I’d need to recall what I learnt.

“Those subjects gave me the fundamentals that transitioned through to university and I think that is where its value lies,” he said 

Youth ministry is another passion of his since graduating from Av�԰�, volunteering at St Thomas More Bateman Parish and Catholic Youth Ministry Perth, which has also seen him MC the Australian Catholic Youth Festival for some 5000 youth.

“I didn’t have mentors when I was growing up but remember key people in my life who nurtured me to shape me into the person I am today. I’m so thankful for all the life lessons and have always wanted to give back to the community in which I grew up,” he explained.

Youth ministry has provided him with that opportunity, which he cherishes dearly.

“Ministering to the young people and seeing them grow as young men and women, learning about Christ and their Catholic faith – then themselves stepping up to be youth ministers - that for me is fulfilling.

Part of Clarence’s journey as a Catholic has also seen him recently invested as a Knight with the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, an Order with the task of providing support to the Christian presence in the Holy Land, contributing to the preservation of churches, hospitals, dispensaries, laboratories and social centres.

In his spare time, he is also a black belt in Karate, coaching others at his Dojo in Coogee, and travelled to Japan in 2019 to attend the World ShitoRyu Karate Championships.

Asked what advice he would give to Av�԰� students, Clarence says to take each experience, whether positive or negative, in one’s stride and use it to grow as an individual.

“Difficulties and struggles may come throughout life, but each experience gives you a new opportunity to learn and grow.

“No matter how difficult, far or how scary things may seem, take a leap of faith,” he concluded.