Soon after meeting Kay Donoghue, her daughter Cathleen Donoghue and grand-daughter Sahra-Jade Milner it becomes obvious that aspiration and inspiration runs in the family.

All 3 have decided to change their lives by taking on the challenge of higher education for the first time - at the same time but for different reasons.

All 3 have enrolled in STEPS (Skills for Tertiary Education Preparatory Studies) bridging programs, with a view to continuing into undergraduate degrees.

They are all keen boaties (and Cathleen and Sahra were both junior champion swimmers) but due to the generation gap have had a range of different life experiences.

Grandmother Kay had 5 biological children but still volunteered to care for many dozens of other children and found time to become a prolific potter.

Her caring nature continued over a 13-year period as deputy head of boarders at St Ursula's school (and she later took on the role of school Aboriginal Liaison Officer).

Kay says she is keen to continue her interest in social justice by studying subjects related to infrastructure design for Indigenous communities - an area in which she is keen to seek volunteer work.

Mother of one Cathleen started out as a commercial artist and has since taught herself the computer skills required to become a graphic artist. She hopes to study visual art or multimedia to gain the credentials to advance her design career, but is also considering a complete right turn into environmental science.

In the meantime, she will continue her busy hobby of horse handling, training and riding.

Daughter Sahra-Jade said she was keen to advance beyond her career in hospitality and is considering child psychology as an option.

Sahra Milner
Cathleen Donoghue
Kay Donoghue