I was born in Rome - Italy, to an Australian mother and an Italian father, and was two when we moved to Australia. I remain forever grateful for the sacrifices my father made, moving away from his family and friends, having to learn a new language at 34 and start his career all over again.

We settled near my grandparents on the lower North Shore, where I’ve lived ever since. I now live with my family in my Grandparents old home in Cammeray. My eldest son is starting at Cammeray Public next year, the same school I went to, where my mum's name hung on the dux board. So many fond vivid memories – climbing trees and catching tadpoles at lunch time in the playground. Then being chased by the geese down at Tunks Park while Nan and Pa sat in the sun warmed car and read their books – or dozed.

 

From the age of 10, I have been a very keen netballer. I first played with Willoughby United, where I learnt the importance of team work, respect for the umpire and the importance of giving back to the community, umpiring as well as coaching younger teams. At university I continued this tradition, forming a team and working to help netball grow there.  I’m a great team player (and still love playing netball).

 

After completing high school at Willoughby Girls, where fabulous activities such as Duke of Edinburgh Awards & Young Achievers built my self confidence, I took a year off to explore Europe backpacking solo before returning to go to Charles Sturt University Wagga Wagga to study a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design. Special years immersed in rural life and strengthening my love of a close knit community.

 

I now own a small local family business, am a mum to two young boys and care deeply about people and our community. I think compassion is totally under-rated!  From a very early age I’ve had a strong sense of social justice and am a true champion of equality for all. My mother was a public high school teacher and my father was an architect with Public Works, so I think I absorbed the ethos of service to the public, responsibility and accountability. My perseverance and determination mean I’m always looking for alternative solutions to problems.

 

I also admin an online local community group where we divert tons pre loved goods from landfill, by rehoming  items and sharing low waste living ideas.

 

I'm a strong believer in independent local government that should be for the local community not party politics. Communities deserve true representation. They should not be used as pawns in political games. Their opinions should be respected. I’m appalled by the focus on toll roads and tunnels instead of public transport. The continual theft of open public spaces and destructions of mature trees drives me to despair. We can, and must, do better. Our community desperately needs a vibrant independent body at the local level.

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