About Me
"What we call the present is given shape by an accumulation of the past."
Haruki Murakami This is my story:
I was born in 1974 in Ipswich to a father who was in the Air Force and a Vietnam Veteran. My father came to Australia as an immigrant at the age of 18months. After my father retired from the Air Force he completed his working life with Qantas. My mother was a Tailoress and mostly a stay-at-home mum caring for my siblings and me and a cousin with a disability. My brother is now a Qantaslink pilot and my sister is a special needs teacher.
I commenced my early school years in Ipswich before my father got his posting to the USA where we lived in St Louis, Missouri for a number of years whilst he was working on the FA-18s.
In the early 80s my father was posted to Victoria from the USA where I continued my schooling until my father retired from the Air Force and my family relocated back to Brisbane. My mother and father worked very hard to give my siblings and I the best they could and they have shaped who I am today. They lit my spark for adventure, meeting people and trying new things. I completed my high school education at a Girls Catholic College on the Northside of Brisbane. After leaving school I worked in advertising before travelling and working overseas, being based in London for a period of time. I worked at Chase Manhattan Bank and Peter Black Toiletries. I returned to Australia in 2001 after a period of backpacking with a fiance who is now my husband of 22 years. My husband is a British born, South African raised, now Australian citizen. When I returned to Australia I completed a Bachelor of Law and a Bachelor of Justice (Critical Criminology) with Distinction as a mature age student whilst having a child in my first year and a child in my final year of studies of the dual degree. We have three children. Our eldest son is studying a creative industries degree at QUT and is passionate about the Arts, our middle son is in Year 11 and loves go kart racing and mechanics and our youngest is a daughter in Grade 8 who loves design and fashion. |
I then went on to complete my Masters of Law, a Graduate Certificate in Domestic Violence, National Mediation Certificate and an Executive MBA through QUT and MIT. I was admitted as a solicitor to the Supreme Court of Queensland in January 2007 and then the High Court of Australia in June 2007. I obtained a National Mediation Certificate in 2015. I was also a Registered Migration Agent.
I have worked for a number of solicitors since my admission and in early 2016 I set up my own firm Get Real Legals. It was a controversial name however my aim was to have a firm that provides legal services which were a benefit to the client without undue cost so that clients could rebuild their lives with something left in their pocket. I've been a Justice of the Peace (Qual) since 14 January 2004 providing a valuable contribution to the community. I have volunteered on many community organizations for a number of years and continue to volunteer in a number of ways. I am currently the vice-chair of the management committee of a Women's Refuge and a member of the Queensland Animal Ethics Committee. As part of my legal practice I undertake some pro bono work and I have undertaken a number of legally aided matters primarily in the area of family law, predominantly for those who are victims of domestic violence. In July 2020 I bought a sewing shop which helps with my creative passions. I love sitting down to the sewing machine when I need to clear my head. In February 2022 I lost everything in the sewing shop due to the Brisbane floods but have managed to bring the shop back to its former self and keep going. My biggest love is my family and friends. I am so grateful to be surrounded by such wonderful and supportive family and friends. I love adventure and I love being in the community helping make people's lives better. It brings me great joy. |
I have always had an interest in politics and I am so proud to be a member of the Australian Labor Party. I got involved because I love our community and want to make it better for all. Life is about looking after each other and in the Labor Party we are for the many, not just the few.
I love Brisbane and it has always been the place that I feel at home when my father was posted in the Air Force or when I have travelled the globe. My vision for Brisbane is to create opportunities for the people in our communities across the whole of Brisbane.
I want to build a stronger, safer and more sustainable community. Our city is known for its beauty and its lifestyle, we don't want to lose that.
I love Brisbane and it has always been the place that I feel at home when my father was posted in the Air Force or when I have travelled the globe. My vision for Brisbane is to create opportunities for the people in our communities across the whole of Brisbane.
I want to build a stronger, safer and more sustainable community. Our city is known for its beauty and its lifestyle, we don't want to lose that.