Interests
When I have the opportunity, my priority is to spend time with my husband and 4 grandchildren aged 4 months to 7 years.
These children are very aware of the environmental and social challenges we all face and their insights and honesty have played a major role in framing my focus as a Councillor.
I am a keen follower of current affairs and enjoy reading, mainly non-fiction or autobiographical works.
And, for my moments of mindfulness, I love knitting.
If a few free days pop up, I try to head to Boomerang Beach on the mid-North Coast. This area has been part of my life since I was 17- it is a special place for me and my family.
The beach walks (with dogs) and the magnificent trees in the Myall Lakes National Park never cease to delight me
Background
I was born in Australia but lived in Indonesia and Hong Kong for my primary school years.
My secondary education was in Sydney and Johannesburg.
My academic qualifications are BA, LLB (University of Sydney) and LLM (UTS -majoring in Industrial Law and Dispute Resolution).
After 8 years in private, then corporate, legal practice in Victoria, I completed my LLM.
I took up a role teaching commercial law, employment law and business ethics in a range of TAFENSW’s vocational courses across several campuses and governance training to directors of the former CDEP program in Redfern and La Perouse.
In my last 10 years in TAFE, I was also engaged as an International Student Coordinator, providing support for overseas students on a range of issues including educational, employment and accommodation concerns.
COVID and the need to juggle the care of two frail parents led to my retirement in 2020.
As a long-term resident of Greenwich, I have had the privilege to have been involved in school and community organisations from 1988 to 2021.
Like so many parents with children in the public education system, my focus was to supplement the limited resources available to publicly funded schools. As President of the North Sydney Boys’ High School Council, I shared with parents and staff the sense of achievement in building a mezzanine level in the school hall with funds raised from the parent body.
Living in Greenwich opened up the opportunity to be involved in community organisations, both local and in adjacent precincts.
Until I joined Council, I was actively involved for over 10 years as a committee member and, for several years, as President of the Greenwich Community Association. These were challenging times with the proposed changed operation at the Viva (formerly Shell) terminal, the St Leonards South Master Plan and the Bob Campbell Oval projects, all having significant potential impacts for the area.
And, in 2018-19 I worked with the “Overdevelopment – We’re Over It” group drawn from St Leonards South, St Leonards and Crows Nest to coordinate a response to the development plans arising from the Crows Nest Metro.
This provided great insight into the interplay between state and local planning controls and the need for adjacent LGAs to work collaboratively.
Why you stood for Council
Through my involvement with a range of government departments and governance/processes, I felt I had the skills to understand the range of demands facing local government.
I stood for Council in 2021 and was honoured to have been elected as an East Ward Councillor.
In order to more fully understand my role as a Councillor, I undertook the UTS/LGNSW Executive Certificate for Elected Members course.
I am proud to have been a member of a Council that implemented great initiatives, particularly on the environmental front.
But our term was short so I am honoured to have been re-elected as the new Council consolidates what was started last term.
Previous Affiliations
Financial but inactive member of the ALP until 22 July 2021