1. What is something people don’t know about you?
I always wanted to be a hippy, growing my own vegetables and living off the land.
It didn’t happen though, I worked in the travel industry for 20 years and travelled quite a bit, then went into project management and the community sector.
Maybe one day, I’ll get off the computer and into the garden.
2. Tell us about your role as Manager at Selby Community House?
In June 2022 I took over the role as Manager at Selby Community House.
The house is one of the oldest houses in Australia established in 1975. It has a childcare, a playgroup, runs pre-accredited courses, forums, offers househires and delivers events such as Artspace and our local SelbyFest.
My role is to support the fantastic team Suzy, Karl, Alyssa, Nikki, Jordan and Una and our wonderful childcare staff.
I plan to continue the great work of recent managers Anna Reid and Tracey Van Vloten and the dozens of other Managers who have come before. I have some big shoes to fill.
3. What has been your most memorable moment working at Selby Community House? Why?
I was a trainer at the house six years ago.
I recall the house being friendly and open then. Walking in the door in May this year for an interview, I truly felt at home. The Committee were welcoming, the staff friendly and it had an exhibition on at the time (Unleashed) as part of Selby Artspace and I was so impressed with the feel of the house. I recall walking around looking at Wombalana, the children’s playground, with this huge recycled wombat and the Bushfood indigenous garden thinking ‘wow, this place is such a hidden gem’.
4. What do you love most about working and living in the Dandenong Ranges?
The environment. I have a true love for nature and am drawn to the Dandenong Ranges which is abundant in old growth forests, beautiful parks, gardens and walks and is cherished by the locals for its uniqueness. Selby Community House is also only 10 minutes from my home and on the drive to work I see wallabies, wombats and the occasional echidna. The house is in such a beautiful and magical setting. Very special !
5. What are some of your hobbies?
I love building. My husband and I have renovated three houses, owner built one house and built a motorhome and I am currently in the midst of building a tiny house using leftover and recycled building materials. I enjoy the process of project management and searching for all the materials, I also try really hard to keep usable items out of landfill, so use these in our builds. I am using these skills to keep up with the maintenance requirements of Selby Community House, so it has come in handy.
6. What event, past, present, or future, would you like to witness?
I would love to see Lake Eyre in flood… it would be such a magical site. This huge salt pan, full of water and wildlife.
7. Who do you admire the most?
That’s a hard question. I really admire people who have resilience and fortitude. I recently headed up a project in East Gippsland supporting those impacted by the bushfires of 2020 and heard many stories of suffering and sacrifice, yet these communities also had resilience and were made up of everyday people taking one day at a time and making one decision at a time to rebuild. I truly admire them.
8. What is an important issue in the region you think needs exposure?
I have studied sustainability for eight years and can see the correlation between climate change, increased disasters in the area and an increase in more intense storms, floods, bushfires and droughts. Weather patterns are changing. This will directly impact on the Dandenong Ranges communities. Selby Community House aims to be a support hub, especially during times of recovery. We are currently setting up systems, whereby power, water, bathroom, kitchen and laundry facilities will be available to the community should there be emergency events. We want to be there when our community needs us.
