Jaye Radisich
Class of 1993
Class of 1993
Politician
At school, Jaye was a Prefect, the Caltex All-rounder and Belle of the Ball. She also was also an active member of the Student Council as well as several other groups in the school.
She was described as "a highly motivated, friendly and cooperative student who displays the rare ability to be able to maintain this pleasing disposition even in the face of great adversity".
At University, Jaye studied arts, law and commerce. Her interest in politics grew as she became involved in various student organisations, including time as as a member of the executive of the National Union of Students.
In the final year of her degree, she won pre-selection as the Labor candidate for the 'safe' Liberal seat of Swan Hills for the 2001 State Election.
Her campaign achieved an 11.7% swing, and at the age of 23, Jaye became the second-youngest person, and the youngest woman, to be elected to the Western Australian Parliament.
Jays was re-elected in the 2005 election and retired from politics at the 2008 election.
After politics, Jaye had great success as the Chief Executive Officer at the Council of Small Business Australia, a position she held until 2010.
In 2002, Jaye was diagnosed with adult wilms tumour, a rare form of cancer. Surgery to remove a kidney meant she was able to continue in her parliamentary role, however, in 2010, the cancer returned.
Treatment in Australia was not successful, and Jaye travelled to China for a range of alternative treatments, blogging her experiences.
Jaye succumbed to the cancer on 17 March 2012.