What’s your connection to Brimbank?
I’ve been working here for 11 years … I was taken on to set up the Visy Cares Hub within this beautiful old heritage-listed bulk store that was part of the H.V. McKay factory site back in the day. My board of directors, when they were looking at the needs around the western region, in particular in Brimbank, decided that the best way to respond to the diversity of needs for 12-to-25-year-olds was to co-locate a number of not-for-profit services under one roof in a one-stop-shop arrangement.
What motivates you?
Watching young people transition into early adulthood as healthy, optimistic young people with aspirations and hope for the future. It’s what fires me up and it’s why I’ve been doing the job for almost 25 years.
How did you get into it?
I’m a child protection social worker by trade, but I’m from Ireland originally … voluntary work was really important within my community. I guess I come from a framework of how important community is, and how important it is to look after people. I come from within a big family – I’ve brought that with me, I suppose, into my career.
What do you like most about Brimbank?
I love the vibe around Brimbank, Sunshine in particular. I love the multiculturalism. I think it’s a really cool part of Melbourne … it’s nice to see the changes and the developments that have taken place, and it’s also nice to see new waves of new communities and emerging communities coming into Brimbank.
What would you change about Brimbank?
The face of Brimbank has changed dramatically in the time I have been here. I would say for the most part it’s been really positive. But what we can’t neglect is the fact that there are still pockets of abject poverty and disadvantage within the municipality, so it doesn’t really matter how much property prices go up or how gentrified an area becomes, you can’t afford to let that gloss overshadow the fact that there are kids very much in need, that there’s high crime rates, high rates of domestic violence, low school retention rates, high unemployment.
What brought you here?
I moved to Australia in my late 20s. I had been living in England. I came to a crossroads in my life and it was either America or Australia, and I chose Australia. The first job I did was to manage the (Melbourne) Remand Centre, so a lot of my role has been about looking at crime prevention and social justice for young people.
What are some of your favourites cafes or restaurants in Brimbank?
We love Sunshine Marketplace, we love the Vietnamese restaurants and The Granary Cafe on Devonshire Road.
