While at the College Kiralee Hughes excelled in the classroom and on the sporting field while making time to serve her peers in her leadership role.

Twenty years after graduating, life took a difficult and unexpected turn for Kirralee when her husband Mark was diagnosed with brain cancer. Always the optimists, Kirralee and Mark decided to focus on changing their mindset instead of the unchangeable reality of the diagnosis. They turned their energy toward making a difference in the field of brain cancer, which they quickly learnt was severely under-funded and under-researched. Between hospital visits and endless trips to the Central Coast for radiation treatment, they began to form the vision for the Mark Hughes Foundation.

Launched in 2014, the Foundation has since become a beacon of hope, funding vital research and supporting families impacted by brain cancer. Kirralee and Mark’s leadership continues to drive progress in the battle for a cure and raise awareness for research and support. We caught up with Kirralee near the Foundation’s head office in Newcastle to hear her reflections on her time at the College.

I was at SPCC from…1988 to 1993 (Year 7 to 12)

I’m currently…married with three children, aged 20, 17, and 13. My husband and I are business owners of Air Locker Training in Kotara, a high-altitude training gym, and co-founders of the Mark Hughes Foundation. Between our family, business, and charity work, we’re always on the go.

At school I... was highly focused on my studies and always aimed for academic excellence. I also had the opportunity to serve as School Captain, which allowed me to take on leadership responsibilities, represent my peers, and help organise school events and initiatives.

My best memory of SPCC...  the friendships I formed during my time there. Starting out not knowing anyone, I was fortunate to make great friends and have an amazing time. I still have such fond memories - even now, whenever I drive past the front of the building, I can’t help but smile.

A staff member that particularly impacted me was… Mrs. Baker, my economics teacher. She was an excellent educator, and I really respected her for both her knowledge and the way she connected with her students. Another standout was Mr. Rule—he was an incredibly engaging teacher who made learning fun and always kept us interested in the material.

When I left school, I wanted to… I knew I wanted to go to university, but I wasn’t exactly sure what path to take. After achieving a strong TER, I enrolled at Newcastle University to study psychology, but soon realized it wasn’t the right fit for me. I switched to a business degree with a focus on HR, which I really enjoyed. After completing my studies, I travelled before returning to work in HR at West Leagues. It was during this time that I met Mark, and shortly after, we took the leap and started our own business.

Today I’m motivated by… the growing awareness of how precious life really is. As I get older, I realise more than ever that the more you give, the more you receive in return. Through the Foundation, I’ve gained so much, knowing that we’re making a real, positive impact on others' lives. Seeing people face the harsh realities of cancer puts everything into perspective—what truly matters in those moments is family and friends. It’s a powerful reminder of what’s important in life.

I never imagined that I would… be a young mum with a husband undergoing treatment for brain cancer. Nor did I ever dream that I would co-found a national charity that has raised over 30 million dollars, working across the country to improve brain cancer treatment. The funds we’ve raised have supported brain cancer care nurses in Newcastle, the Mid North Coast, and Tamworth. We’ve seen firsthand how crucial this role is for families who are facing a diagnosis, and it drives our mission every day.

The biggest influence in my life... My Nan. My mum had me when she was young, so I grew up very close to my Nan. She was an incredibly wise woman, always involved in countless committees and giving so much of her time to charities and her community. She worked closely with people in Minmi, organising Christmas concerts and offering her support to those around her. Despite experiencing a lot of tragedy in her life, she was incredibly resilient and selfless, always giving so much of herself to others. She shaped me in so many ways.

In the future I’d like to… have a small farm when life slows down. Growing up in Minmi with a horse and many animals, I’ve always enjoyed that connection with nature and would love to get back to it. It would be amazing to live a simpler, more peaceful life surrounded by the land.

The thing I wish I had done but never got around to... take a road trip through the southern parts of the USA. Our family recently drove Route 101 in California in a 12-seater van, where we visited Yosemite, took in a Lakers game, and travelled down the coast to LA. It was an unforgettable experience, and I’d love to fit in more travel. I’m a huge fan of country music, so a trip to Nashville is definitely on my list!

Thank you, Kirralee for sharing with us - what an inspiration you are! For more photos see the 1990's photo folder.