• What motivated you to nominate for Council?

I have always been interested in governance and follow closely the strategic deliberations and decisions of the University. I want to contribute at this level as I’m so passionate about UNE’s success. It’s such an important institution for our whole region and we know it provides so many opportunities for people who would not otherwise be able to access higher education. That’s something we need to maintain but also continue to improve to keep on widening participation. Our recent announcement of the UNE Tamworth Plan is exciting as we are broadening higher education in our region, but in ways that fit the regional context. It reminds us of where UNE began as a community-driven initiative in Armidale, providing high quality tertiary education in a regional city and more broadly.

• How did you feel upon seeing the results and realising you were the elected Professional staff representative?

I felt extremely honoured that my colleagues had elected me to represent the perspective of all professional staff on Council. I have great respect for my colleagues across the university and was excited about the result.

The other nominees, Charles Hebblewhite and Jamie Moore, have many years of experience at UNE and in the community, and I want to acknowledge their contributions and willingness to support the governance of the university. I would like to recognise and thank Charles on behalf of professional staff, for his hard work over the last four years in representing us on Council. When I read Charles’ comments in the Pulse that he had read up to 500 papers for a Council meeting, I was impressed. Thank you, Charles, for your significant contribution.

• What do you bring to the position in terms of experience, knowledge and aspirations?

My experience has been in student-focussed roles at three universities – Sydney, Macquarie and UNE. I am passionate about supporting students as one of UNE’s key priorities to provide a transformative student experience. I have a teaching background and believe that it is through the continual improvement in our teaching and learning and online platform, that we will support students best. Our professional staff support that endeavour and work to provide innovative solutions, through our services, programs and systems, to further support academics in their roles.

As a student of UNE – I completed a Grad.Dip.Ed. in 2000 and this Spring will receive my Graduate Diploma in Counselling. I am bringing the knowledge of what it is like to be a mature-aged student studying online and having a full-time job and a family. It is not an easy task in any way, but so rewarding and leads to many more opportunities for employment and life satisfaction. I would like to support more people to achieve a qualification through our proactive and ongoing support.

• What are your interests away from work?

I love to travel and spend my time thinking of the next places I would like to go!  I’ve travelled widely and greatly enjoy all you can learn from other cultures. My favourite travel experience has been to Africa, travelling through Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zanzibar, Namibia and South Africa. Once you’ve been there the feeling never leaves you. It is such a beautiful continent and the people I met are incredibly kind.

Last year, my husband Marty and I took our three children to the US, which seems hard to imagine now with all of the restrictions we are facing in the pandemic. It was exhilarating to walk through the beautiful Yosemite National Park with its tall forests and sheer cliffs (which people climb), unsure of whether there would be a bear around the next turn. We did end up seeing a bear, but thankfully from the safety of the car.   

As I am one of six children from the Blue Mountains, I enjoy catching up with all of my siblings who still live there and in Sydney and Wollongong. In Armidale, my husband is one of four boys and when we all get together it is great fun. People from Armidale will know how much my husband’s family enjoy sport and my kids do too, so I’ve also spent a lot of time at sporting events. I’ve found coffee helps!

• Anything else you would like to share with staff?

While it is a very challenging time for the whole world right now during a historic pandemic and there is uncertainty, we are fortunate to have such a great community in the New England, and as country people we’re renowned for our warmth and resilience. I hope that we can continue to support each other through our kindness and empathy during this difficult time. As a representative on Council, I will be seeking to offer an informed and balanced perspective in the light of my experience, as a UNE student and a professional staff member in various roles.  I am committed to a flexible working life for professional staff, with opportunities for dynamic roles and career progression in an inclusive, innovative and caring workplace now and in the future.