My Story

I’m a born “connector” and my greatest passion is bringing people together for a purpose. Whether that purpose is charity, travel, helping others in need or just plain old-fashioned love, I’ve pretty much done it all.

My motivation to give back to the community came after the loss of my first child, Jessica, back in 1988 at 4 months of age in Cairns, Far North Queensland. After spending those months sitting in an intensive care nursery and witnessing the wonderful, caring nature of the hard-working medical staff and the need for charities to assist with research and support, I made a commitment there and then, to one day help others.

After my fiercely independent second daughter Renee left home in 2004 at the age of 16 to find work back in FNQ, I decided to move to Newcastle and with spare time on my hands I began volunteering with local charities. Since then, I have volunteered with and personally raised over $300,000.00 for local charities including the Hunter Breast Cancer Foundation, Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, Hunter Homeless Connect, Ronald McDonald House, HMRI, CanTeen, Camp Quality, St Vincent de Paul, Got Your Back Sista, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Black Dog Institute and the Starlight Foundation. 

I developed an obsession for raising money for charities over the years after creating my first fundraising event for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service as part of a fundraising trek to the Great Wall of China in 2011. That year, what’s now known as my signature event – Divas on the Green – was born and so was my love for travel with purpose.

With seven fundraising treks under my belt, I have been enjoying an epic adventure filled journey around the globe conquering other destinations including Kokoda, Macchu Pichu, the El Camino Trail, New Zealand’s South Island and Cradle Mountain. The last four treks in Spain, NZ and Tasmania saw me take on the role as Trek Leader for Inspired Adventures.  

I also work for one of Australia's largest Community Housing Providers - Home in Place - and have coordinated many fundraising events for our youth mentoring and scholarship program, Grow a Star. These events have included sports themed business lunches, motorbike rallies throughout regional NSW and leading two fundraising treks in Cradle Mountain, Tasmania (2022) and the South Island of New Zealand (2024).

Outside of that ‘day job’, I’m also an authorised marriage celebrant. I've found my calling with this heart-centred profession… and it's taking me to some beautiful places with wonderful people.

Newcastle Citizen of the Year 2020