MY MCC - Jacinta Delhaize - 2004 Alumni

Give us a brief overview of what you're doing now:
Hi MCC! Congratulations on your 30 Year Anniversary. It's hard to believe it has now been 18 years since I graduated from Year 12 at MCC. How time flies! Since then I have received a Degree in Physics and a PhD in Astronomy and Astrophysics from the University of Western Australia. My career has taken me all around the world and I am now an Astronomer and Lecturer at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. I teach 3rd year undergraduates about extragalactic astrophysics - galaxies far far away! This is also the subject of my research. I use giant radio telescopes to learn more about how distant galaxies form and evolve. This work is helping to prepare the way for the enormous SKA telescope which will be built in both Western Australia and South Africa, with construction starting soon! I have a podcast called The Cosmic Savannah - which I invite you to listen to - and I was lucky enough to be a speaker at TEDx Mandurah earlier this year!

What is your first or earliest impression of MCC?:
As a little year 8 in 2000 I remember thinking that MCC was so enormous! It was much smaller in those days than it is now.

Tell us about your most memorable time at MCC?:
I think the biggest experience I had was being part of the 2003 Mission trip to Port Headland to work with refugees and First Nations people. This experience taught me so much about other cultures, about compassion and kindness, about truly appreciating what you have... and about the importance of not believing everything you hear in the media!
I also remember playing the devilish Lady de Winter in the MCC Production of The Three Musketeers, which was a load of fun.

Tell us about a staff member who made a huge difference to your life or to the College?:
Ms Burton was my Year 11 English Literature teacher. She had a huge influence on my life in just one year. She gave me a strong grounding in critical thinking, communication and analysis skills, which helped enormously throughout my PhD and throughout my career as a research scientist.

How has MCC had an impact on your life or helped you to achieve your goals?:
There are many varied skills I learned at MCC that have helped in a whole range of ways in my life. A few I've already mentioned above. But in general, I learned the importance of being the best person you can possibly be and always putting in 100% into anything you do.

Where do you see yourself 30 years from now?:
On the moon probably!