Commencing at GVGS in Year 7 in 2020, Patrick Sharp says his early years of high school were an opportunity to explore his options. Living in Shepparton with his family – including younger brother Spencer, Year 11 – he threw himself into a range of different subjects and extracurricular activities trying to figure out what his academic goals were.
“When I first started at GVGS, I didn’t really have much of an idea about what I wanted to do in the future,” he recalls. “I knew I had an interest in science and aviation, but I just did all the basics while I worked myself out – I did PE, music and tried a lot of different things.”
It wasn’t until Year 10 that his career ambitions became clear. “That was when I decided I wanted to be a pilot,” he says. “Once I knew that, I understood what I needed to be good at, like maths and science, so that shaped what subjects I’ve chosen to focus on.”
His interest in aviation was nurtured through his involvement with the Australian Air Force Cadets, a youth development program funded by the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
“Cadets provides you with leadership training and gives you exposure to what being in an aviation environment is all about,” he explains. “I found out how rewarding a career as a pilot could be and what that life would look like. Being a pilot is a lot about being a leader and that appeals to me.”
GVGS also played a significant role in helping Patrick refine his professional pathway.
“The School had ADF careers advisors come and talk to us and in Year 10 I had a chat with the School’s careers advisor about what I needed to do,” he says. “They steered me in the right direction so I could start heading to where I wanted to be.”
Over the years, Patrick has taken part in ICCES competitions for cross country, basketball and football. During VCE, he’s chosen to focus on his studies, but Patrick looks back on the Year 10 camp as a highlight from his time at GVGS. “We went to Mount Stirling and I really enjoyed camping,” he reflects. “It was good to work with my peers in such a different environment with simple objectives, such as setting up the campsite or walking a long distance.”
In 2026, Patrick is aiming to begin training at the ADF Academy in Canberra, focusing on military employment training while also completing a Bachelor of Technology (Aeronautical Engineering) at UNSW Canberra.
“I’m excited to be making moves towards what I really want to do. I’ll stay in contact with friends from Shepparton and come back home often to visit my family, but I’m excited for this next chapter,” he says. “In six years, if everything goes to plan, I’ll be fully trained and be working in the ADF as a pilot.”
