By Esther Lauaki
Celeste Gravitt juggles two jobs and volunteers for Werribee Mansion in the hope of one day studying art history. The 19-year-old Werribee resident chats to Esther Lauaki.
What’s your connection to Wyndham?
My grandparents have lived in Wyndham for quite a while and it is where my dad and uncles grew up.
How long have you lived in the area?
I only started living here back in August 2018, I moved from St. Louis, Missouri in the United States.
What are you passionate about?
I’m passionate about art and history. I’ve been volunteering at Werribee Mansion since June last year.
Why did you want to volunteer?
I wanted to volunteer because I had nothing to do while I waited for my permanent residency to be approved. During the year that it took to be approved I couldn’t work, so I tried to look for something I could do. I stumbled upon a Friends of Werribee Park brochure for the volunteer programs.
What’s the best part of your role?
The best part of my role is being able to dress up visitors in Victorian clothing and tell them the history of the mansion.
What other hats do you wear in the Wyndham community?
As well as volunteering I now have two jobs. I work most of the time as the cafe manager at Ultimate You Hoppers Crossing but I also help clean Hoppers Crossing indoor sports.
What’s the quirkiest thing about you?
The quirkiest thing about me is I love to wear clothes with crazy patterns and colours.
What do you love about Wyndham?
The thing I love about Wyndham is that I’m finally able to be with my family.
