My commitment to social justice and our local area was set out for me way before I was born:
1860s
John Noone was mayor of Collingwood and got drainage systems put in. He's my great-great-grandfather, so, yes, there is connection to Noone St in Clifton Hill.
1969
My mother moved to Fitzroy to set up a house where homeless people felt welcome, where she and her friends built a community based on peace and social justice.
1974
My dad has his first swim at the Fitzroy pool and he's still a regular there.
My parents' commitment to social justice has influenced how I live my life. Like others in Yarra I have been fortunate to be part of the movements for social change over the past few decades.
1980s and 1990s
Growing up, social action was part of life. My nana taught me to stand up for what is right; and my parents taught me the importance of thinking globally and acting locally. I grew up learning about Pastor Sir Doug Nicholls and his powerful legacy, as we lived near the church he had led.
I learned how important it is to have local traffic rules when I was 7. One day a friend ran home across the road outside our house and got hit by a car. Luckily he survived, but I'm proud to have been part of the Gore Street Area Action Group's campaign for quieter and safer residential streets.
I went to kindergarten at Atherton Gardens, to primary school at Sacred Heart, and to high school at Collingwood College. I am grateful for the progressive and supportive community programs that were available for our disadvantaged school community. I learned to swim at the Collingwood pool and I did work experience at Fitzroy library and the Little Bookroom.
2000 - 2010
In 2002 I started as a volunteer adult literacy tutor at Carlton Neighbourhood Learning Centre, after reading about it in the local paper.
I went on to do other volunteer and paid roles there and at Holden Street. I learned more about how groups of passionate people can get things done, like establishing and maintaining empowering neighbourhood house programs and services on limited funding.
In 2005 I decided to do my Masters in policy and human services because I wanted to better understand how policies are made and changed, so I could help my community in different ways. I then started work in state government, in funding, policy and relationship management roles.
Volunteering
- adult literacy tutoring, disabilty support, bookclub coordinator - Carlton Neighbourhood Learning Centre
- committee of management - Holden Street Neighbourhood House
- magazine production - Táin: Magazine of the Australian Irish Network
- event management committee - BrigidFest, annual event celebrating strong women
- successful campaign to save heritage buildings after the fire at St Joseph's Collingwood
Studies
- Bachelor of Arts (Applied Linguistics)
- Master of Social Science (Policy and Human Services)
Work
- Carlton Neighbourhood Learning Centre
- Holden Street Neighbourhood House
- North Fitzroy Public Residents Association
- Department of Human Services (Out of home care; Home and Community Care)
2010 - 2020
From 2010-2020, I continued to work in funding, policy and relationship management roles, while maintaining my volunteering and community involvement.
I met, and worked with, so many great people. We shared lots of laughs, and I learnt much more about our local area, living sustainably, funding relationships, legislative requirements, governance processes, the roles of local, state and federal government, the connectedness of our community - and how to get through long meetings!
A couple of highlights were: the work to integrate environmental sustainability into every aspect of Holden Street Neighbourhood House, while adapting to changing community needs and funding requirements; managing the Victorian Seniors Festival in 2015 and introducing a welcome to Country for the first time in over 30 years of the festival.
Volunteering
- Chairperson - Holden Street Neighbourhood House (to 2016)
- liveable streets Fitzroy campaign
- guiding blind runners - Achilles Melbourne
- Vice President - New International Bookshop (from 2016)
Work
- Fitzroy and Carlton Community Credit Coop (community development; financial literacy)
- Department of Health and Human Services (Victorian Eyecare Service; Aboriginal health; Seniors Health Promotion; Aged Care)
2020 - current
During 2020 I worked on Aged Care COVID response, while also supporting my family through some major health issues. In 2022 I honed my skills to become an Easy English writer - 20 years later and I have come back to a focus on adult literacy!
Volunteering
- President - New International Bookshop
- guiding blind runners - Achilles Melbourne
Work
- Department of Health (Aged Care; Mental Health and Wellbeing)
- Scope Australia (Easy English writer and trainer)
- Women's hospital (plain language and easy read writer and editor)