Forward December 2021 | Page 51

OLD GUILDFORDIANS

Sharnee swapping catwalks for nature

COVID-19 has changed the lives of us all . The implications of lockdowns and isolation has , for many , brought about a re-prioritisation of life ’ s elements and a reimagining of what the ‘ perfect career ’ may look like .
Sharnee Gardner ( nee Gates ), ( Prep 2006- 2010 ) left Guildford Grammar Preparatory School for Perth College and later at 13 years of age , departed to pursue her modelling dream in Sydney . As Sharnee discovered , a model ’ s life was not easy . It took a lot of hard work , discipline and personal sacrifice . She had to work to help pay her way with food , rent and fashion school . On working her way up , Sharnee learned that a top-level model has to live cleanly , eat well , be committed to exercise , be organised , and be on time . Sharnee had to look amazing even if she was sick , or tired from trying to sleep on a plane , or freezing cold modelling summer fashion on the top of a building in London . The travel schedules could be relentless , as could the fashion shows . Sharnee once sprained both ankles when the dressers ripped off her kneehigh boots during a quick two-minute change window , so they had to cut the backs of the next pair of shoes so that she could still walk out injured .
Sharnee became an international model and has graced major catwalks in Paris , Germany , Milan , New York , Sweden , Switzerland and Sydney , and she has also featured in publications like Harper ’ s Bazaar UK , Elle UK and in the Esprit Spring 2018 Campaign . Demand was high for her unique and exotic look , something Sharnee attributes to her mixed heritage of Aboriginal , Kurdish , Burmese and Welsh . With her star rising in modelling circles and an apparent life of glitz and glamour laid out before her , Sharnee ’ s path looked set . One could be forgiven for thinking she had it easy , riding her abundant beauty to fame and fortune . However , nothing could be further from the truth .
Modelling is a complicated industry , so Sharnee had to quickly learn how to confidently navigate the commercial side , including intricate contracts , self-promotion and relationship building . The resulting work was lucrative and , at 19 , she purchased her first home . While Sharnee developed a good business acumen , she made sure to retain a strong sense of humanity , donating 10 percent of her income to the poor . Sharnee also made sure 10 percent of her income was saved and a further 10 percent went to an emergency fund , which was a smart move as she lived for a year on her savings when in COVID-19 lockdown .
While Sharnee loved life as a professional model , work was hectic and unrelenting .
When COVID-19 hit and travel bans meant she could no longer go abroad for modelling work , Sharnee was forced to step out of her usual routine and draw a deep breath . On realising she hardly spent time in nature anymore , a model ’ s existence suddenly lost much of its shine and Sharnee couldn ’ t stomach the thought of a wholesale return . Forced to consider her options , she became deeply introspective for the first time in her life and began to explore her passions . By allowing true and brutal honesty with herself , Sharnee came to the realisation she wanted to investigate a career in horticulture , but wondered if she could find enough work in that industry to sustain a comfortable lifestyle .
As reported by BBC . com on 4 November 2021 , Sharnee aligns with three-fifth of UK
workers who intend to switch to a different job as a result of COVID . In line with this revelation , work-based training programs from the Royal Horticultural Society ( RHS ) in the UK , which trains the professional gardeners of the future , has experienced a 58 percent increase in demand for its work-based training programs in 2021 . This is the largest increase experienced by the organisation in decades .
In 2021 , Sharnee accepted a traineeship with the London Wildlife Trust to study Wetland Conservation . After gaining additional experience working as a gardener for Painshill Park Trust , Sharnee has now won a three-year horticultural apprenticeship with the Royal Horticultural Society in Wisely and spends her time cutting lawns , pruning trees and planting beds .
Sharnee shared with BBC . com , “ Working at the RHS has given me an opportunity to slow down and appreciate my surroundings . I love watching the sunrise over the garden . It ’ s very important to me to do something that makes me happy . The significant decrease in wage was definitely worth it because I love what I do . But to get by , my partner and I got a flat mate , and I still do the occasional modelling job , too .”
Currently 23 years of age , Sharnee is happy and enjoying life with her English husband , a model who is also a sitcom writer and stand-up comedian . Sharnee ’ s renewed purpose has , for the least part , created a greater sense of balance when surrounded by nature ’ s gifts . While the future is not certain , Sharnee ’ s newfound appreciation for the important things in life has empowered her to build the career she wants , working amongst the flowers , bees and the trees .
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