South Australia – Rochelle Melino

My name is Rochelle Melino, I am 27 years old and from the south coast of South Australia. I’m Irish/Italian first generation on both sides. My grandparents on my mother’s side are Irish, from Kilmore Quay Co. Wexford and Shillelagh Co. Wicklow. I’m very very proud to be Italian and Irish! Although I’ve inherited more of the Italian features, my Irish heritage plays a big part in my life. I’m an Irish dancer, my mother has the Murchu school of Irish dancing and my brother, sister and myself all danced competitively. I’ve been lucky enough to have won state titles, placed top 10 at nationals and qualified to compete at the world championships three times, which is how I came to visit Ireland for the first time in 2010! And where I had the chance to meet my relatives in Kilcullen, Carlow and Wicklow. I currently work as a bank manager for the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, this is something I love and am proud to have achieved it in the time frame that I have. I’m passionate about people and my team, and helping them grow through their different roles in the bank. I’ve really have found a love for leadership now that I have seen how much I can influence someone and affect how they feel about themselves. I love my life, my family and my boyfriend and have a really positive outlook on life. I don’t have a story, or anything extraordinary that I’ve achieved, or a big adversity I’ve had to overcome, but I am me and I’m proud of that. I have grown up to believe that anything is possible, and as long as we are treating people right along the way the world is going to have so much to offer us. I thank my parents for that.