Michael Mahon always hoped his children would attend Bond University. So far, he's got his wish — but youngest child Erica might have different ideas.
In a few years, a Mahon family get-together will resemble a Bond University alumni reunion. Ethan Mahon (Class of 2019) and his sister Lauren (Class of 2020) have both graduated with Bachelor of Laws degrees and are making rapid strides in their chosen careers. Their siblings Olivia (Bachelor of Actuarial Science) and Ryan (Bachelor of Commerce) are current Bond students, with Olivia due to graduate later this year and Ryan still in his first year of studies.
The youngest of the five Mahon children, Erica, was recently appointed school captain at St Hilda’s School in Southport for 2025 and will have the opportunity to complete a Bond University quintuple in 2026. However, as a talented scholar and rower, Erica may choose to study in the US.
Entrepreneurial roots
The siblings’ father Michael Mahon is the Founder and Managing Director of Gold Coast real estate company M-Motion.
He has founded and sold several real estate companies in Sydney and on the Gold Coast, won multiple industry awards and twice been named on the BRW Fast Starters list (now the AFR Fast Starters), an annual ranking of Australia's 100 fastest-growing startup businesses. He always hoped his children would attend Bond University which he said reflected his own entrepreneurial spirit.
“Alan Bond was a visionary who had a dream for Australia's first private university and I thought it was quite inspiring,” Mr Mahon said. “The university has always been very progressive and I like the smaller class sizes and the quality of the teaching staff who usually have real-life experience, which I think goes a long way. I love the condensed timeframe. The kids work harder while their friends at other universities are having time off. It's more intense but they get it done and dusted in a fraction of the time.”
Building global networks
Mr Mahon said he also valued Bond’s global outlook, a view shaped by his family’s own international experiences.
When his children were still in school on the Gold Coast, Mr Mahon received a buyout offer for one of his businesses. He and wife Caroline saw it as the perfect opportunity for an adventure.
Newport Beach, California.
Newport Beach, California.
“We were walking along the beach one day and Caroline said, ‘What are we going to do now?’ And I thought, why don't we head to the US? So I set up a real estate training and coaching business over there and the kids all came over. Ethan, who was finishing Year 12 at The Southport School (TSS), came back and forth while staying with his grandparents in Robina.”
The four other Mahon children attended school in Newport Beach, California for two years, immersing themselves in a different culture and making new friends.
“That’s another thing I like about Bond,” Mr Mahon said. "You’re mixing with students from all over the world and forming contacts and networks that last well beyond graduation.”
Ethan Mahon
Eldest sibling Ethan, 24, was recently admitted as a solicitor in Queensland after working as an associate at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
He is now a lawyer at 142-year-old Australian law firm Sparke Helmore Lawyers in the Government, Public and Regulatory Team. Ethan said he had wanted to attend Bond University for as long as he could remember and gravitated towards a career in law during high school.
“One of my greatest passions throughout high school was debating,” said Ethan, who was President of The Southport School Debating Society in Year 12. "I enjoyed every aspect of it, from formulating arguments, having to think on your feet, and the pressure of appearing before the adjudicators and crowds."
“The clincher for me was probably attending the National High School Mooting Competition at Bond University while in Year 11 at TSS. Touring the facilities, meeting members of the faculty and hearing more about the Bachelor of Laws program solidified my desire to attend Bond.”
Ethan said he was concentrating on making the most of his new role at Sparke Helmore Lawyers.
“Looking to the long-term, I have always had a great interest in the advocacy aspect of the legal industry and have a great deal of interest in going to the Bar at some stage in the future.”
Lauren Mahon
Second-eldest Lauren, 22, came to Bond University on an Excellence Scholarship from All Saints Anglican College.
Although she studied law like Ethan, Lauren has followed her father into real estate as a residential sales and marketing agent at M-Motion. In her first year after graduating in 2023 she was named a finalist in the REIQ Rising Star Salesperson of the Year Award.
“When I initially began my studies at Bond I envisioned myself becoming a barrister,” Lauren said. “However, I always had a passion for real estate and growing up around it my whole life, it felt like second nature. Dad always said I had to get my degree before I could come work with him, but I somehow convinced him to let me get started about halfway through my studies. The rest is history - I fell in love with selling real estate and haven't looked back.”
Lauren said she called on her law degree every day while working with contracts.“It not only adds a level of expertise often missing in the industry, but also provides peace of mind for my clients that they are in capable hands.”
Olivia Mahon
Middle child Olivia, 20, is studying Actuarial Science and is due to graduate later this year.
Bond is the only Queensland university and one of seven in Australia to offer Actuarial Science programs fully accredited by the Actuaries Institute. Actuaries traditionally worked in the insurance industry predicting the risks of making claims payments or in superannuation calculating anticipated investment returns but the masses of data now being collected by almost every business means actuaries are branching out across a broad spectrum of industries.
“I chose to study Actuarial Science as I always found math and numbers to be challenging but enjoyable,” Olivia said. “I also knew that it was a highly respected degree in the finance industry. I am undertaking a Major in Finance as I find all things finance extremely interesting. Working within the finance sector is my goal upon the completion of my degree.”
Western University in Canada.
Western University in Canada.
Earlier this year Olivia had the opportunity to study at Western University in Canada for a semester, an exchange program supported by Hungry Jack’s founder Jack Cowin who attended Western and served as its 22nd Chancellor.
“I went over there on my own so it took lots of courage and independence,” Olivia said. “On top of that I was navigating a country and university I had never been to, but it was all worth it in the end. I made friends over there who I hope will be friends for many years to come.”
Ryan Mahon
Ryan, 19, is a first-year Bachelor of Commerce student who chose the degree based on its breadth of opportunities across a wide range of industries. He grew up hearing about his older siblings’ experiences at Bond.
“My first year has been enjoyable and challenging,” Ryan said. “Enjoyable in the sense of university life, and challenging in the study which has very much been an opportunity to learn and grow. I’m enjoying pushing myself and seeing what I’m capable of achieving.”
Erica Mahon
Erica, 17, the youngest of the Mahon family, may buck the trend of enrolling at Bond University. It was a special moment for the entire family recently when she was named 2025 captain of St Hilda’s School on the Gold Coast.
“Becoming school captain has been a dream I’ve pursued from a young age and I feel a deep sense of pride, gratitude and joy knowing that I now have this privilege,” Erica said. "It’s an honour that comes with significant responsibility, and I’m committed to balancing these duties with my academic pursuits in my final year.”
Erica rows for St Hilda’s in the Open First VIII division of the Brisbane Schoolgirls Rowing Association which could lead to scholarship opportunities in the US. She is still open to “completing the set” at Bond University but also wants to forge her own path by studying Law, Economics or Actuarial Science.
“Returning to the US is a possibility as I’m eager to experience its dynamic academic environment and build a global network,” Erica said. “My goal at this stage is to enter the legal or financial sector as a barrister or an investment banker.”
Michael Mahon said: “Erica would like to go to Harvard. I said that’s fine, just make sure it’s on a scholarship!”
