I’m a Law and Media & Communications student at QUT and an ambassador for MS Queensland. I’m also involved in Queensland’s events community and am part of some fantastic festivals such as Earth Frequency Festival, and most recently Woodford Folk Festival.
Why do you do it? I’m an ambassador for MS Queensland because I believe passionately in improving the lives of those living with multiple sclerosis, and because I have seen first hand the impact that silent illnesses have on young Australians. But the first and foremost reason I’m involved in those MS campaigns is the same reason I work in Queensland’s amazing music scene and the same reason I study law and media — I’ve managed to stumble into some of the most remarkable communities imaginable that inspire me to reach for the stars everyday. I’m an incredibly lucky person to be surrounded with such top quality specimens of human.
What do you love about the city you live in?
Brisbane somehow manages to be very refined and on the pulse, but also a big, old country town with only two degrees of separation between any of its locals, all at the same time! It’s an amazing mix of city lights and epic entertainment, but also of green spaces and cultural heritage.
Where did you go for your last holiday?
My last overseas trip was to Thailand, to work on an access-to-justice project QUT partnered with in Chiang Mai. I don’t think any of us slept more than four hours a night on average the entire time, but that wasn’t always because of the work! I did recently have a surprise weekend away in Sydney that was more relaxing though, but they’ve got nothing on Brisbane!
What's your favourite item of clothing?
The one that’ll be waiting for me at the next epic trawl of Brisbane’s markets and thrift shops! I am a complete addict when it comes to markets — I can never leave empty-handed!
What was your favourite TV show when you were a kid?
This question just led me into a vacuum of googling ‘90s TV shows to jog my memory — why did we never question some of the random stuff on TV when we were young? I’d probably have to go with ‘Round The Twist’ though — total classic. The song to that ‘Oakie Doke’ show was catchy though; it’s still in my head nearly 20 years later.
If you could travel back in time for a day, where would you go?
Tough call. Woodstock? Back to the Big Bang to get the firsthand scoop? I’d actually probably disappoint everyone and completely nerd it up and go and do something like ask Elizabeth I if any of the rumours were true.
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook us?
Anything involving fresh Australian seafood. My Dad and I indulge in masses of local prawns up in Cairns every Christmas; I don’t think I will ever get tired of them!!
What's the best lesson you've ever learned?
Anyone who cannot quote Albus Dumbledore is not to be trusted.
Tell us one thing about yourself that nobody else knows...
I love to sing cheesy pop songs at the top of my lungs when I’m alone in my house; it clears out any blue moods! Actually, I can’t say no-one knows that, the neighbours are probably all too aware. Also, I hold a fork strangely — a couple on a plane in Turkey once asked if that was a sort of cultural way to hold forks in Australia. Up until that point I’d had no idea I was holding it differently to the way everyone else does. I was 21!
Are you happy with your work/ life balance?
Absolutely, but I’ve never needed to see it as a compromise. The people around me make work, study, life. The whole package is one highly enjoyable experience!
How do you define success?
Waking up in the morning and feeling like the world and everything you have in it is amazing, but that somehow, you can still make something better!
What's your spirit animal?
I did used to get called a cheeky, little monkey an awful lot, both at school and on my early travels! My first thought was a dolphin though. They’re loveable, but they’ll also follow you for miles chattering incessantly and they do enjoy showing off a bit on the odd occasion. I suppose monkeys do too though. Let’s go with the cheeky, little monkey then. The kind that steals your clothes when you’re in a lush jungle lake and climbs the tree laughing.
