Peaks of Curiosity

Alumni Stories – Alice Hornby 

What path did you follow after you graduated from SMGS? How did you become interested in that pathway (education, career, interest)? 

I leapt straight from school into university. After an English/History excursion with Mrs Borny to the University of Sydney, I knew that’s where I wanted to study. Like many students, I wasn’t entirely sure ‘what I wanted to be when I grew up’, so I chose a double degree in Arts and Commerce. Reading Jane Austen and Tolkien kept me motivated through Accounting 101! 

The historical element of Industrial Relations piqued my curiosity, and from there I majored in Human Resource Management. 

Halfway through, I took six months off to work as a lift operator at Mammoth Mountain in California. That experience confirmed my desire to combine my interest in HR with my love of the mountains. Back at university, I was selected for the Honours program and wrote my thesis on the experience and performance management of seasonal employees, using a local ski resort as a case study. 

After graduating, I began as an industrial relations graduate and HR advisor at BlueScope Steel’s Port Kembla Steelworks. In 2009, I returned to the mountains as Senior HR Advisor at Snowy Hydro. My career there grew over 15 years, giving me opportunities to broaden my expertise across organisational development, culture, change management, communications and leadership. 

In 2020, my family and I relocated from Jindabyne to Merimbula on the NSW Far South Coast, where I continued working remotely. We’re fortunate to enjoy the best of both worlds—surfing in summer and skiing in winter. 

What is your current occupation, organisation and position? 

I finished up as Head of Organisational Development at Snowy Hydro in December 2024, after 15 years. 2025 has been a magical year, focused on family, professional development and community. I’m also in the process of launching my own consultancy. 

In addition, I have been honoured to serve as a Director on the SMGS Board since 2023. This is an opportunity to give back to the school and support its students, leadership and ongoing success. 

What is the biggest source of motivation for your career and life pursuits? 

I’m driven by experiences that energise me. When I feel passionate about something, I am all in. At work, developing people has always been a powerful motivator. It is incredibly rewarding to help someone grow. Now, as a mother, I love helping my children discover what energises them. If you pursue those things in life and work that light you up, you continue to be motivated even when they become challenging. 

How did your time at SMGS help you in your journey to your current career and life pursuits? 

SMGS helped shape me into the person I am today. I arrived in 1997 as a shy 13-year-old, drawn by the idea of skiing as a school sport. I graduated as a capable, courageous and grounded young adult. 

SMGS taught me to be true to myself, to be brave in challenging moments, to stay open to new opportunities, and to lead by lifting others up. 

What are some of your most memorable moments from your time at SMGS? 

There are so many! On my first night in the boarding house, I remember all of us gathered on the stairs outside the staff room, listening to our Canadian house parent Mr Rodman play the guitar. That moment set the tone for the family I would build over the next four years. 

A lot of the time, it was the little things which made my experience memorable. Being a small school, we were lucky to have so much flexibility. We had science on the bus, took sleeping bags to class during winter, spent summers running through the bush, sailed on the lake (I very clearly remember abandoning ship because of a rogue huntsman!), made curtains for classrooms, got lost during Duke of Edinburgh hikes but pushed through, checked the snow cams in Mr Walker’s office, painted the dining room blue, had discos at High Country Campus, and then there were the boarding house dogs (Jake and Sideways), there was school skiing and, of course, always a blizzard at Interschools. I could go on for days! 

I will also share one more serious, defining moment. Following the tragic loss of our much-loved fellow student Ben Fleming, students began to decorate the (then) school gate with yellow wattle flowers at lunch time. This was allowed to continue through the afternoon until we had finished. It was an outpouring of emotion we needed, time together to feel the loss and to remember our friend. I will always be grateful to the teachers and school leaders for letting us lead the way in that moment, and it really speaks to the very heart of my time at SMGS. 

What programs did you participate in and what co-curricular opportunities did you have? 

I was fortunate to enjoy a wide range of activities. In addition to skiing, I took part in cross-country running, sailing, hiking, rock climbing, trampolining, horse riding and tennis. I also participated in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, debating, the annual yearbook committee, and supported school musicals behind the scenes. 

Activities like Duke of Edinburgh and debating were definitely outside my comfort zone. I would encourage students to say yes to opportunities that might not feel comfortable, but that could help you grow—you might be surprised by how much you enjoy them! 

What advice would you give to students who are beginning their HSC journey and starting to think about their future after they graduate? 

I’d start with a question: ‘In a world where you could do anything, what would you choose?’ 

If you already know the answer: work hard, stay focused and go after your dream with passion and determination. 

If you aren’t sure: don’t panic. It’s completely normal. You will figure it out in time. 

Give the HSC your best effort, so you can be proud of the work you’ve put in. But also remember to ask for help when you need it, support your classmates, and keep doing the things outside of study that you love, whether that’s a sport, hobby or part-time job. Balance is essential. 

What does it mean to you to be a part of the SMGS Alumni/Old Scholars community? 

I feel very lucky to be a part of the SMGS Alumni community. We are privileged to share such a unique education experience. I have kept in touch with quite a few former alumni and it is always great to re-connect.  

I also love catching up with former teachers. Quite a few years ago I struck up a conversation with someone on a T-bar, only to discover it was Mr Greentree! I always look for a hug from Miss Jones whenever I attend school events—she is always so welcoming. Joan Herringer was the celebrant at our wedding! Recently, I reconnected with Miss Fulton (the other half of our Canadian boarding house parents) over LinkedIn. I love hearing what people are up to now.