Ellie Vrankovich – Creating Change Through Compassion and Advocacy
Less than two years after graduating from Santa Maria College, Ellie Vrankovich (Class of 2024) is already making a remarkable impact across the community through her volunteer work with Citizens Advice Bureau WA (CABWA) and working with Lightbulb Skills.
Currently studying a double degree in Law and Commerce, Ellie was recently recognised as the Young Volunteer of WA after being named one of three finalists from more than 240 nominations. Yet for her, volunteering has never been about recognition. It has always been about helping people feel supported, informed, and empowered during some of life’s most difficult moments.
Her journey with CABWA began unexpectedly at the Curtin Careers Fair, where she met CABWA CEO Dion during a conversation about the organisation’s mission.
“I immediately felt connected to what they stood for,” Ellie said. “I have always had a strong interest in access to justice, and what really drew me to CAB was that it focuses on supporting people during uncertain and stressful moments in their lives.”
Creating Accessible Support for Others
That passion soon evolved into action. While training as a Criminal Injuries Compensation (CIC) help assistant, Ellie became increasingly aware of how difficult and overwhelming the compensation process could be for people already navigating trauma.
“Even coming from a position where I had support and training available, I still found parts of the process confusing,” she explained. “I could not imagine how difficult it would be for somebody already experiencing trauma surrounding the situation.”
After seeing clients repeatedly return to appointments because the process was so difficult to understand, Ellie decided to create a Criminal Injuries Compensation Handbook herself, a practical guide designed to make the system easier to navigate before people even walk into an appointment.
“I realised this was not just an individual issue, but a systems-level barrier to accessible information,” she said. “I think if we all wait for somebody else to create change when we see a need, then no real change ever comes about.”
A Passion for Inclusion and Independence
Alongside her work at CABWA, Ellie also works at Lightbulb Skills, an organisation supporting people living with disability to develop independence and life skills.
“What I really admire about Lightbulb Skills is their focus on building confidence and independence for each participant, rather than simply providing entertainment,” she said. “The organisation genuinely empowers people in a way that is tailored to each individual.”
The work is deeply personal for Ellie, having grown up close to a family member living with disability. She credits her experiences at Lightbulb Skills with further strengthening her passion for accessible communication and advocacy.
Inspired by Service Learning at Santa Maria
Looking back, Ellie says Santa Maria College’s Service Learning Program played a significant role in shaping her approach to volunteering and community involvement.
“In many ways, it was the beginning of my journey,” she reflected. “I volunteered at MercyCare daycare centres across Perth and genuinely loved the experience. I actually volunteered beyond the required service hours because it was the first time I realised how much fulfilment I found in helping others.”
She also speaks warmly about the teachers and mentors who supported her during her time at Santa Maria.
“The teachers are truly one of the things that make Santa Maria so special,” she said. “People like the well-loved psychologist Kimberlee Burroughs, Kathryn Capozzi and Derek Smith all had a lasting impact on me.”
Staying Motivated Through Meaningful Work
Balancing full-time university study with working and volunteering is not always easy, but Ellie says purpose keeps her motivated.
“What keeps me going is knowing that the work actually matters to people,” she shared. “Whether it is helping somebody better understand a difficult process or contributing to supportive environments, those moments remind me why I started in the first place.”
Receiving the Young Volunteer of WA award was something she never expected.
“Honestly, I was shocked,” she said. “Volunteering has never been about awards or recognition for me, so finding out I had been awarded the Young Volunteer of WA was incredibly humbling.”
She also acknowledged the other finalists, Jessica Yugovich and Isabella Chalker, whose work she says inspired her greatly.
Looking Towards the Future
More than anything, Ellie hopes people recognise the resilience and strength within the communities she works alongside.
“Sometimes people are viewed only through the lens of hardship or disadvantage,” she said. “But there is so much determination, capability, and individuality that deserves to be recognised and uplifted.”
As she continues her studies, Ellie hopes to build a future combining law, technology, business, and advocacy to create systems that are more human-centred and accessible.
“My volunteer work has definitely shaped that vision,” she said. “It has shown me how much impact thoughtful communication, accessibility, and advocacy can have.”
Through compassion, initiative, and an unwavering commitment to helping others, Ellie is already proving that meaningful change often begins with one person deciding to step forward and do something about it.
- accessible communication, Alumni Spotlight, Citizens Advice Bureau WA, community advocacy, Featured, Lightbulb Skills, Mercy Values, Santa Maria College alumni, Service Learning, Women in Leadership, Young Volunteer of WA
Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.
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