Ms Peta Fielding

Lawyer and Craft Beer Company Owner

Peta Fielding (class of 1987) is the founder and CEO of the craft brewing company, Burleigh Brewing.

The brewery was founded in 2006 and has grown to be Queensland's largest independent brewer.  Peta knew she always wanted to create something – to start and build a business. It wasn't until she met the man who later became her husband, an up coming brewer living in Hawaii,  that she realised exactly what the business was going to be. 

Peta actually studied law and after practising corporate law for a number of years in Melbourne, went to the United States to study a Masters in Business Administration. "It all helped me build a skillset that has proven extremely useful when running a growing business".

Peta's first part-time job was in a video store (remember those!), but her first professional job was as a lawyer at Arthur Robinson and Hedderwicks in Melbourne.

When it comes to career highlights, Peta says she finds highlights in most days! With an ever-growing team in her business, there are so many small successes and moments of achievement that she is able to celebrate and share in. "Maybe that's my highlight. Building a team and watching them flourish".

When reminiscing about her time at State High Peta exclaims, "Oh wow, they were such treasured days! I was very active and into every sport imaginable, so it was amazing to have so many opportunities to participate at State High. I certainly remember how heavy my school bag was, with a different outfit for before school, lunch time and after school sports jammed in amongst the text books! I also remember losing plenty of school hats and finding ingenious ways to fix (or hide) runs in black stockings. As much as it was a time of hard work as well, many of my memories involve noise and laughter!"

Peta's grandfather as well as her mum and two brothers were also State High students. "I actually had a couple of teachers who taught my mum! It led to some fun story telling".

Horses now fill Peta's spare time. She believes being around them is a great counter-balance to a very busy working life. Her advice to current students is "you may not yet appreciate what a great opportunity it is to study at State High. Get involved, take advantage of as many opportunities as you can – it really is a privilege".