Neave Mackey (’18)

During the first week of her Year 12 journey at Loreto Kirribilli, Neave Mackey (’18), as an enthusiastic and eager 17-year-old, was unexpectedly confronted with a diagnosis of a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer.

Intensive treatment began immediately and lasted for the entirety of her Year 12, and beyond. The intimate experience of being a young person going through cancer treatment introduced her to Redkite, and her engagement with the charity, along with her unique diagnosis, age and situation, saw her elected as an Ambassador for RedKite throughout her treatment.

Neave went on to complete a tertiary pathway program at the University of Notre Dame, subsequently granting her the opportunity to apply for the course that she has aspired to since her diagnosis.

Having spent nine months working with inmates at the high-security Long Bay Correctional Complex, Neave is currently in her final year of a Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) at the University of New South Wales. Her final year will see her engage in a unique rural placement opportunity in regional NSW, collaborating with indigenous youth facing or at risk of juvenile detention.