For Sheryn Long (nee Mackie) (Wyvern 1982) playing tennis has been a constant throughout her life, a court highlight came in 1984.

“One of my fondest memories of Queen’s would have to be the year we won the Holmes Shield when I was sports captain. I was very fortunate to have an amazing group of female athletes that year, not to mention an Olympian in Kathy Watt OAM (1983) and Commonwealth Games runner, Sharon Russell (nee Stewart) (1984).  I played in about six different teams but my big pride and joy was finally winning the tennis. It was great because Dr Belinda Calvert (1982), Louise Jenkins (1982), and I had been in the two previous years’ finals and lost. All the girls across all sports got quite swept up in the celebrations, we made many celebratory laps around Eakins Hall that year. The thunderous spoon bangings are still ringing in my ears. So nice to celebrate the joy with others. I’m still playing lots of tennis all around country Victoria but mostly at senior events now.”

Sheryn changed tack career-wise early last year.

“I retired from permanent employment as Senior Speech Pathologist/Literacy consultant with Catholic Education in Sandhurst and am now working part-time as an Intermediary in Victim Services, Support and Reform with the Department of Justice. My role is to facilitate communication with vulnerable witnesses so they can give their best evidence both at the police and court stages. We impartially adapt the ‘talk-rich’ legal context and generate practical and creative ways to enable the vulnerable person to fully participate.”

She’s pleased to see positive changes in the way legal professionals interact and question highly traumatised young witnesses and/or complainants.

“Knowing that I have contributed, in a small way, to the manner in which a vulnerable witness can fully tell their story within the high stress court environment, is immeasurable. Also, seeing the young person leave the court with a sense of achievement and pride, aware that they have done their best, makes my role purposeful. The understanding and camaraderie from my Intermediary colleagues is very supportive. We have monthly reflective practice meetings in which we share and discuss cases, processes and issues. I find these sessions very rewarding for my own well-being and professional practice.”

Coming to Queen’s from Echuca enabled Sheryn to forge lifelong friendships and understand the world from many different perspectives.

“We all came from very different backgrounds, so it’s hard not to have learnt many life skills. Tolerance, empathy and acceptance are just some that come to mind.”

Sheryn is happy to hear from other Wyverns or current students via her email:

sherynlong29@gmail.com

Sheryn enjoying one of her three grandchildren