I was born in Port Augusta and spent first 3 years of life at Parakylia Station. Moved to Sturt Vale Station in the North East Pastorl area and remained there till I left home (my mother grew up in the Gawler Ranges, and while my father is an Adelaide boy, he worked on stations since he was 15). I attended Port Augusta SOTA (& RICE Kindy) for Reception till end of year 6. Then became a 5 day boarder at Burra Boarding house where I stayed till completing year 12.
Worked with parents on Sturt Vale for 18months, before moving to Adelaide. 6 years later, after working in hospitality and studying a Cert III in Aged care, got married, bought first home at Giles Corner and had first child, Charlotte. 3 years later and finally moved family back out bush to Lake Everard Station in the Gawler Ranges. 4 of the best years of my life. My children were the 6th generation in my Mum's family to live in the Gawler Ranges. Had my second child, Riley. Supervised Charlotte with Kindy through RICE, and then for Reception and half of Year 1 on SOTA, Port Augusta. During this time I joined the North West ICPA Branch. Attended Federal Conference in Canberra.
Moved back to Burra in 2018 to be nearer family support. Hospitality again and then in Semester 2 of 2020 started working at Burra Community School as an SSO. Love supporting kids on their educational journey through my work and even more so with my own kids. I am also a Relief Houseparent for the Burra Boarding House - strange to be tucking my kids into bed at my old Boarding House!
I have fond memories of heading off on a Saturday morning to Yunta, Burra or a Station in the North East Pastoral area, so mum and dad could attend an ICPA meeting (Deb & Paul Williams). Always a great day catching up with friends, visiting an actual playground or playing with someone else's toys! The importance of ICPA was instilled in me from a very young age, and it was always on my radar to join my family up if I went out bush. The opportunity to be a voice and an advocate for the education of our kids no matter where we live and our individual circumstances. Also, to be a voice for the struggles we have as parents and teachers/supervisors.
Moving back to a rural "town", I found my self still wanting to be apart of ICPA and to advocate for the struggles, the highs and lows of a rural R-12 Community School, and a small country student Boarding facility. I am proud to be carrying on the passion, advocating and celebrating my parents were apart of for so long, with ICPA.
