Vanessa Blagden

Photographer and businesswoman a mentor to young adults

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Vanessa Blagden

For Vanessa Blagden (nee Bazley), the Avondale experience was a family tradition—her father, uncle and aunts had all attended the college before her. Yet having grown up in the small country town of Monto, Queensland, with a population of less than 1800, Avondale seemed like a daunting place.

However, it wasn’t long before Vanessa settled in—she found her place in Avondale Memorial Seventh-day Adventist Church’s youth group and joined Pathfinders. Making friends with others who shared her values, goals and ideals is something Vanessa thinks has helped shape her life. She married David Blagden in 1984 and graduated with a Diploma of Teaching in 1985.

The Blagden family—sons Brenton and Luke were born in 1993 and 1994—stayed in the area, with Vanessa teaching first at Avondale Primary School and later at Avondale High School. An interest in the arts soon led Vanessa to enter the photography field. She started D+V Photography and over the years has been the director of a number of other businesses—CAD3 Architecture Firm, Studio V and Enviable Home Styling, her most recent venture. Her love of teaching has remained, and over the years Vanessa has employed 39 people in the photography business, many of these high school students from Avondale School.

“My goals in life are to continue to grow and allow life experiences to make me a better person,” Vanessa says. “I would not change my choices. I am extremely pleased that Avondale has contributed so much to my life.”

The class of 1985 honours Vanessa for her commitment to Christ-focused education both inside and outside the classroom, as well as her dedication to photography and the arts.

Sara Bolst
Author

Sara Bolst

Sara edited alumni magazine Reflections and served as Assistant Public Relations Officer during her tenure at Avondale College of Higher Education.

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