Who What Where When Wyverns: Alana Poole (Wyvern 2018)
Alana Poole’s (Wyvern 2018) dreams have come true. With a family background in farming and fashion, she could not see a world where both these interests could be combined, until now.
“Despite growing up around farming, I hadn’t thought about the origins of the fabric I was wearing or where my clothes came from. I decided to put my love for fashion on the back burner and take up anthropology and politics at the University of Melbourne, which felt like a total diversion from fashion until I discovered the world of sustainable fashion, and the dots slowly started joining. When you combine international relations, agriculture, social impact, and fashion, you land squarely where I am now: sustainability and ethical procurement. Anthropology proved to be a true calling for me, and now underpins everything I do in my industry.”
Alana has recently joined the sustainability team at womenswear brand ELK, who are focussed on best-practice in sustainability in the Australian fashion industry.
“As a sustainability coordinator, I research innovative materials, and analyse how we can incorporate them into our collections. This is crucial because our best chance of reducing our impact is by improving our products and choosing better materials. I work on creative solutions to repair, upcycle, or recycle ELK clothing returned through our takeback program, extending the life of our product. I also help strengthen our ethical sourcing strategy, ensuring our supply chains are compliant with our code of conduct, and those who make our clothes work safely and freely. Working in sustainability is an absolute privilege, every day I can contribute to positive change from my desk.”
Alana followed her father Robert Poole (1988) to Queen’s, a place that was a dream maker for both of them.
“Dad made his closest friends during his time at Queen’s; to me, those mates were my ‘uncles’ and ‘aunties’, it wasn’t until I was much older that I realised they were all Queeners. Dad always wanted me to experience College and indoctrinated me at a young age. When we arrived for my first day, he walked into Eakins and was reunited with other Wyverns whose kids were starting with me. He also couldn’t believe it when he saw Steve Diamond in the kitchen. He said Steve made the best schnitzels in Melbourne. When dad left me at the gates that day, he said, ‘Enjoy every second. Time seems to move faster at Queen’s. It’ll be over in a blink.’ I pass that advice on to all Queener’s. You know a place has left its mark on you when you dream about it. Dad and I both constantly have dreams set in the corridors or the Quad.”
Alana met many mentors at Queen’s who have had a life-long impact on her.
“Every person influenced me in some way – leaders and fellow Queeners alike. From the approachability, relatability, and charisma of Jake Workman (2005) past Director of Student Life, to the card-carrying feminism and drive of Dr Sally Dalton-Brown, Past Dean of Academic Programmes, or the support, and advocacy of Christine Ellem, past Academic and Wellbeing Coordinator. These leaders proved to me that incredible leadership can be underlaid with kindness, whilst remaining strong and steadfast.”
Two encounters at Queen’s events helped her re-think her career.
“I met Dan Ziffer (1996) at a time when I was completely confused about my career path. He encouraged me to pursue my love for writing, and sustainability at the same time – I didn’t have to choose just one road. I also had the pleasure of five minutes with Professor Marcia Langton AO in the JCR. At the time, I was at a crossroads between pursuing sustainability through academia, or branching out on my own into industry and freelancing. Marcia said not to wait for someone to open the door for me, but to open it myself.”
In 2023, Alana joined the Queen’s tutoring complement.
“It was so special to be a part of the journeys of new Queeners, and pass on some of the incredible advice I’ve received from other Wyverns. I also managed to convert quite a few Queeners into becoming anthropologists. I had a pretty high success rate.”
Time will tell if all Alana’s dreams come true.
“A friend at Queen’s is a friend for life – no matter how many years it’s been since you’ve seen each other, no matter how well you knew each other at Queen’s. I’m sure I’m not the only Queener who has daydreamed about starting a Wyvern retirement village just to be able to shuffle down the hall to my best friend’s room again.”
Alana is happy to be contacted by other Wyverns or current Queen’s students via her email:
