Dip (Events Management and Public Relations)

What do a fruit orchard, signwriting, the Murray River, Iceland and catering all have in common? 

The answer? Mentone Grammar’s Event Manager, Kelli Dawes. 

From growing up in country South Australia to travelling the world and now coordinating some of Mentone Grammar’s biggest events, Kelli’s career has been anything but ordinary. 

Kelli has been the School’s Event Manager since 2017, overseeing the planning and delivery of events across the School. She also manages Mentone Grammar’s catering operations and serves as the School’s liaison for the Parents and Friends (P&F) group, supporting the planning and delivery of community events. It’s a role that keeps her constantly on the go. 

Kelli grew up in Loxton, a small town in South Australia’s Riverland region on the banks of the mighty Murray River. Raised on a fruit orchard alongside her two older siblings, she fondly remembers the benefits of growing up in the country. 

“I really enjoyed country life,” she says. “Looking back, I can appreciate how fortunate I was to have that upbringing.” 

While she loved where she grew up, Kelli always knew she wanted to explore beyond it. “I had a clear goal to leave, travel and experience more of the world.” 

Unsure of exactly what career she wanted to pursue after school, she packed her bags and began travelling, initially on her own before meeting up with a friend along the way. 

And travel she certainly did. 

Over the years, Kelli has visited Germany, Switzerland, France, Spain, Morocco, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the United States, Iceland, Italy, Malta, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, Thailand, Japan, Fiji, Barbados, the Netherlands and Greece. 

“It’s actually quite a fun exercise trying to remember everywhere I’ve been,” she laughs. 

Along the way, Kelli built an impressively varied career. She has worked in visual merchandising, signwriting, winery laboratory testing, hairdressing, hospitality, travel and marketing. 

It was while travelling that she discovered the career she truly wanted. Working across a range of event roles opened her eyes to the creativity and variety of the industry. “I discovered how creative, fun and diverse event planning can be.” 

To build on that passion, Kelli completed a Diploma of Event Management online in 2010 while living and working in the United Kingdom, determined to pursue the industry when she eventually returned to Australia. 

Her travels also led to another life-changing moment. While in Spain, Kelli met the man who would become her husband. The couple spent several years living between England and Spain. They married in New York before settling permanently in Melbourne in 2012. Their daughter, Izzie, was born in 2014 and is now 12 years old.  

After returning to Melbourne, Kelli worked in several corporate event roles before the opportunity at Mentone Grammar arose. Moving into a school environment was a completely new experience, but one that immediately appealed to her. “I loved the idea of working in a community where there was always something happening.” 

Nearly a decade later, that’s exactly what she enjoys most. “I love what I do, and I really enjoy working in an environment where no two days are the same.” 

As Event Manager, Kelli oversees every stage of the event process, from logistics, budgets and registrations through to supplier management, VIP coordination and on-the-day delivery. 

“Being part of the behind-the-scenes side of school life has been a fantastic opportunity. It’s given me an insight into so many aspects of the School that I wouldn’t otherwise have experienced.” 

Since joining Mentone Grammar, Kelli has helped deliver an extraordinary range of events, including whole-school assemblies, community celebrations, family fun days, Year 11 and 12 Formals, gala balls, trivia nights, movie nights, golf days, House dinners, building openings, staff celebrations, the annual Service of Lessons and Carols, and Valedictory celebrations. 

Among her proudest achievements was helping deliver the School’s Centenary celebrations in 2023. “It was an incredibly busy year, but I think the team delivered every event to a really high standard.” 

Beyond events, Kelli also manages the School’s catering operations, working closely with Chartwells to coordinate catering across the School – from conferences and professional learning days to community events. She also works closely with the Parents and Friends committee, supporting event planning, coordinating logistics and acting as the link between the P&F and the wider School community. 

When asked about her greatest achievement, Kelli doesn’t hesitate. 

“My family.” 

She says family and travel remain her greatest passions—and fortunately, they often go hand in hand.”My family are my favourite travel companions… most of the time!” she laughs. 

Looking back, Kelli has one piece of advice she’d share with both her younger self and today’s students. 

“I wouldn’t change too much personally, but I’d remind myself—and others—not to worry about having everything mapped out. Careers and life don’t always follow a straight path, but that’s part of the fun. It’s those experiences that ultimately shape who you become.” 

Written by Caroline Kinnear