Director

My mother is Bathurst born, of German descent, and my father is a new Australian from Sri Lanka and a Vietnam Veteran. I was born in Dandenong and initially was a keen gymnast and monkey bar acrobat. Later I enjoyed sewing, needle-craft work and reading fiction, my Childrens Bible and other biblical stories.

In 1996, I enlisted in the Australian Army on February 13th. I was one of the first school leavers to take a ‘gap’ year and I had to contend with criticism from friends and family saying I’d never return to finish my studies. I spent one year full time in the Army, and the next 4 years part time juggling University studies in Melbourne with Military work in Enoggera, Queensland. My main job within the Army was as a Transport driver. I had never driven in my life so it was a great, but very challenging experience, and I gained confidence and competence with trucks, rovers, trailers and winching etc. My job at Enoggera was specifically as an ambulance driver, and overall my time in the military taught me a lot and will stay with me forever. During the remaining years of study I worked in the Hospitality and gaming industry. Later I tried my hand at competitive body building and competitive line dancing.

Community and Volunteer work have always held importance to me from a young age, possibly inspired by my grandparents who ran a migrant hostel in Springvale. My businesses have always made time to contributed to a better world and I now have the ability to do more in these areas. Having a home birth for my first 2 children without intervention is something I am very proud of. My third was another proud achievement despite having to go to hospital and stubbornly refused pain relief. I love traveling worldwide to experience other cultures and ways of life. I’ll never run out of new activities and experiences that challenge me and push me out of my comfort zone.