What inspired you to join the MIEACT Board? Throughout my life, both personally and professionally, I have seen how important it is for people to have understanding and opportunities to participate fully in their communities. My family has experienced challenges around anxiety and mental health, including with my father and my sons, and those experiences gave me a deeper appreciation for organisations that provide inclusion and a sense of belonging. Joining the MIEACT Board felt like an opportunity to contribute to an organisation that changes lives every day and helps people realise their potential.
What do you enjoy most about being part of the MIEACT community? What I love most is the genuine sense of care and connection. Everyone involved, participants, families, staff, volunteers and Board members, shares a commitment to helping people live their best lives. There is something incredibly uplifting about being part of a community that focuses on people's abilities, strengths and aspirations rather than their challenges. Every interaction reminds me of the power of inclusion and human connection.
What has been the most rewarding part of your time on the Board? The most rewarding part has been seeing firsthand the difference MIEACT makes in people's lives. Whether it's a participant gaining confidence, learning new skills, finding friendships, or a family feeling supported and understood, those moments matter. Having navigated challenges within my own family, I know how important it is to have organisations that provide hope, practical support and opportunities for growth. Knowing I can contribute, even in a small way, to that mission is deeply meaningful.
What's something you do to look after your own wellbeing? Like many people, I've learned that wellbeing isn't something you can take for granted. Through experiences in my own family with anxiety and mental health challenges, I've come to understand the importance of staying connected, asking for help when needed, and making time for the things that bring joy and perspective. For me, that includes spending time with family, travelling, walking, connecting with friends and continuing to learn new things. I've also learned that resilience grows through relationships, not in isolation.
Why would you encourage someone to support MIEACT this EOFY? Many of us will, at some point in our lives, experience disability, mental health challenges, caring responsibilities or know someone who does. MIEACT provides more than programs and services, it provides connection, confidence, dignity and opportunity. Through my own family's experiences, I understand how important it is to know that support is available when it's needed. An EOFY donation helps MIEACT continue creating those opportunities and ensuring that people and families feel supported, valued and included. That's an investment in a stronger, more compassionate community for all of us.
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