Alongside this success, Jeanie has pursued a Master’s degree in Fine Art, graduating in 2023 with distinction, and showcased her work in various exhibitions. These include "Spinning The Golden Thread" at the GFI Art Gallery and "MA.X.23 MA Student Graduation Exhibition" at the Bird Street Gallery.
Committed to community involvement, she has conducted netball coaching clinics and supported initiatives like the Hope4Kids Foundation.
The University recognised Jeanie with an Alumni Rising Star Award this year, and the following is an extract from her address at the awards celebration in June:
"As I stand before you tonight, I am reminded of an artist that I came across during my studies — Benja Harney, an artist who can make anything imaginable out of paper. One of his projects was to raise awareness of the critically endangered Golden Sun Moth at the Little National Hotel in Sydney Australia. The installation of the artworks was not what intrigued me but rather the life story of this minuscule creature.
For up to three years, this tiny insect lives underground as a caterpillar, diligently working and preparing for the day it will emerge. Its efforts are hidden away from the world, unseen but steadfast.
When the time comes, the caterpillar undergoes a miraculous transformation, emerging from the ground as a radiant golden sun moth.
They have vibrant yellow segments in their wings and are often mistaken as butterflies. This moth lives for only three to four days, yet in those brief moments, it experiences the world in all its glory.
It can only fly about 100 metres at a time. If that was not enough to disadvantage these little creatures, when they develop from caterpillars to moths, they have no mouths to eat.
Lessons from the Golden Sun moth
There are so many lessons that we can learn from the cycle of the Golden Sun moth's life.
Like how they persevere consistently underground, away from the eyes of world to have a brief moment in the sun. The unseen hard work that we sometimes desperately feel needs to be acknowledged.
How many times don't we wait for the perfect moment. "It will get better, I when I have a steady income. It will be better if I have a bigger house. It will get better if I have another job."
What about this, here, right now?
Be present and make the best out of this moment. If the caterpillar only cared about the day it becomes a moth, it will stop crawling and gnawing and wither away.
The golden sun moth's fleeting life is a powerful metaphor of how nothing lasts forever. The Japanese have a term for this "mono no aware", meaning the awareness of the impermanence of things. However good or terrible, our moment in the sun or our grind in the darkness – all of it is temporary.
Then, lastly, these moths live in highly dense populations to ensure they can breed and continue their cycle of life, since they can only fly a few metres at a time.
In a world where there are 7.9 billion people, it is safe to say that we are not made to experience our journey alone. We need people, we need friends, we need support – no man is an island. If it was it would be rocky, dry and have constantly miserable weather. Open your heart, let those around you fill you with sunshine so you can do the same.
Receiving this Alumni Rising Star award is a reminder that while the path may be long and often hidden from view, the rewards come when we least expect them. This recognition is not just for me, but for everyone who has supported and believed in me along the way. Thank you!