I’ve always had a fascination with human behaviour and the impact of mental health, so I studied clinical psychology at university.
I’d had a very sheltered upbringing and was concerned that I’d be too naive to actually assist people. So, how do you cram in a couple of years of world experience? I thought that joining the police force would be a pretty good place to start.
The idea was that I’d join Victoria Police for a little while and go back to clinical psychology, but when I joined it was a match made in heaven.
There’s something different every day, and it really pushed you in terms of critical thinking, responsiveness and the way you deal with people.
There isn’t a day that goes by with policing that you can’t contribute in some way, make somebody’s day better, improve the organisation or help make the community safer and more resilient.
Once I left the force, the biggest issue for me was the lack of emails, telephone calls and texts 24/7. I found it really difficult to give myself back that time and fill it in a meaningful way.
I joined the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF) because I knew they were looking for someone to fill in the CEO role and I had a personal connection to ovarian cancer – my sister-in-law died of ovarian cancer. I offered to stay for six months until they recruited, but I loved the work and I’m still happily there two years later.
I’m an ambassador this year for Witchery’s White Shirt Campaign, kicking off soon, during which Witchery donates 100 per cent of the gross proceeds from every shirt sold directly to OCRF.
The ultimate aim of OCRF is a cure for ovarian cancer. Early detection is key. We’re now in the process of funding a number of projects and research initiatives where they’re pursuing clinical trials of early detection tests.
We’re also funding a number of individualised-therapeutics projects where they work out the best treatment, drugs and approach for a specific person.
Originally published on Domain