From global media companies to government recovery and resilience projects, PBC alumni Cidonie Richards has built an impressive career spanning journalism, marketing, communications and stakeholder engagement across Australia and overseas. In this edition of The Next Chapter, Cidonie reflects on her journey since graduating from PBC, the experiences that shaped her career, and the lessons she’s learned along the way, from working internationally to navigating change and building resilience.
What have you been up to since graduating from PBC?
Since graduating from PBC, I’ve built a diverse career spanning journalism, media, marketing, communications and stakeholder engagement across Australia, China and the United States. For more than 25 years, I’ve worked within newspapers, magazines, global media companies, tourism organisations, government agencies and major brands, combining storytelling with content strategy and community engagement.
I’ve lived and worked in Sydney, Shanghai, Texas, the Gold Coast and the Northern Rivers, which has given me a global perspective on communication, culture and leadership.
What is your current role, and what does it involve?
I’m currently a Senior Communications and Engagement Advisor with the NSW Reconstruction Authority, NSW State Government. My role focuses on communicating complex recovery and resilience projects in flood-affected communities, working closely with government, stakeholders and local communities to ensure information is clear, accessible and meaningful.
What have been some of your career highlights or achievements so far?
Some career highlights include:
· Starting my career in journalism in Sydney, working with major publications including The Sydney Morning Herald and Sunday Life Magazine, where I wrote, edited and produced content across print and digital platforms.
· Leading marketing and communications for major international media brands in Shanghai as National Director of Marketing & Communications for Ringier China, as well managing teams across multiple cities and leading events, products and brand reputation.
· Working in the United States with Dallas Tourism as a Travel Editor and Partnerships Executive, collaborating with major sports, cultural and tourism institutions and producing editorial and digital content for large audiences.
· Leading national and global communications strategies for technology and lifestyle brands, and managing high-profile partnerships, events and campaigns across multiple sectors.
· Contributing to government recovery and resilience initiatives that directly support communities in times of crisis.
Did you pursue further studies after school? If so, what did you study?
Yes, I completed a Bachelor of Communications with a major in Journalism and Marketing, and continued professional development in marketing, communications and project management throughout my career.
How did your time at PBC help prepare you for your career?
PBC helped build the foundations of confidence, curiosity and communication. When I was in school there was no such thing as a digital strategy in content, so we had to be critical thinkers, and learn in different real-world ways than what is essentially all on-line now. I had to adapt and take any opportunity that came my way to progress, and at PBC there was a lot of opportunities to be involved and work closely with the teachers who helped as mentors.
What are some of your fondest memories from your time at PBC?
My fondest memories are the friendships, school events and the strong sense of community at PBC. I also remember the encouragement to get involved and try new things, which helped build confidence and resilience early on. PBC was a big school even back then! We had a very big group of friends and I’m proud to say I am still very close to today. We still catch up and we reminisce about the days of school together, even though we’ve all gone separate ways in our careers and where we live.
Were there any teachers or staff members who had a significant impact on you?
There were several teachers who challenged and inspired me, encouraging me to think creatively and back myself. I was good at English and history, so I remember (Mr Hillier) the most and I remember receiving an award on stage from him and two Ancient History books about lost civilizations around the world. I remember looking at them and saying to myself, ‘I’m going to get to these places.’ Happy to report, I’ve achieved almost all of them having travelled to over 50 countries (only two to go from the book on my bucket list!). Travel to ancient places hasn’t been a career move but has been a passion project!
What activities, clubs, or sports were you involved in at school?
I was involved in just about everything I could manage including; rep sport, musicals, band, debating and writing for the school magazine and news.
If you could give advice to your high school self, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self to worry less about having everything planned out and to trust her instincts more.
What advice would you give to current students who are considering a similar career path?
Build strong communication skills, stay curious and be open to opportunities, even if they take you overseas, interstate or outside your comfort zone. I took a big risk and moved to Sydney in my second year of university before I had even graduated, and it landed me an amazing job. Sometimes doors just open when you put yourself in the right place at the right time.
Also, I’ve learned the hard way that careers are rarely a straight line. I’ve personally experienced four redundancies and three major restructures throughout my career. While challenging at the time, these experiences have made me far more resilient and adaptable than I was in my twenties. They’ve also helped me better understand organisational culture and how businesses really operate.
Start creating, writing, collaborating, networking and leading projects early. Real-world experience is just as important as formal qualifications if not more!
Looking back, is there anything you wish you had done differently during your school years?
I wish I had worried less about getting everything ‘right’. School is a great time to discover what excites you, but you don’t have to have it all figured out by the end of Grade 12!
How do you stay connected with your former classmates or the school community?
I stay connected through friendships I made at school. We were all very close in Grade 12 and I’m still in contact with most of my friends, even though we’ve all gone separate ways in career and where we’ve lived. We all sat under a big tree in the centre of the school, and we still refer to ourselves as the ‘tree gang’ to this day 😉.