What do you do for a living?
I work part-time as an electorate officer at Sydenham MP Natalie Hutchin’s office. My biggest passion is community work so a great chunk of my time goes towards that.
How long have you lived in Keilor Downs?
15 years.
What’s your connection to Brimbank?
I think our most meaningful connection is the support group Autism Angels, which my husband and I started in Brimbank in 2008. It’s grown rapidly since and we’ve helped a lot of families. We’re so busy that sometimes volunteers can’t keep up with demands. Groups like this are really important to help families who are struggling at all stages of having an autistic child.
How did you and your husband meet?
We met through a friend 17 years ago.
How many children do you have?
Two children, a son, Con, 14, who has autism and inspired us to start the group, and a daughter Ari, 13, who inspired us to support the siblings, and make dealing with autism a whole family thing.
The biggest lesson you’ve learnt after becoming a parent?
The power of letter-writing, and that advocating and following through for your child is important. Actions speak louder than words.
What do you like about Brimbank?
I’m a big fan of our coffee shops. You can often find me having a cuppa at Keilor Plaza or at the Coffee Club at Watergardens.
What would you change about your suburb?
I would love Brimbank council to put toilets at the all-abilities park on Packard Street, Keilor Downs, next to the leisure centre. It should have toilets, and I want to start a petition. It’s on my very long to-do list!
Share with us one of your earliest childhood
memories.
Discovering paint in the shed of our family home with my sister, and deciding to paint the fence ourselves even when we knew we weren’t allowed to.
