Community Engagement Worker – HWN Scottsdale
Lou is originally from New Zealand where she owned a LGBT venue for 10 years in Auckland. She is passionate about equality and raising awareness for minorities. A proud supporter of Pride Parades, Rainbow Youth and Takatāpui. She ran a charity to support people with HIV/AIDS and worked closely with the NZ Aids Foundation on many initiatives.
Lou was the Operations Manager at Charcoal Lane in Fitzroy, Melbourne, for Mission Australia where she was involved in Social Work and Education & Training for Aboriginal Youth. She met so many amazing people and collaborated with the Wurundjeri Council. Also discovering the wonderful native foods and plants of Australia.
Lou moved to Tasmania with her disabled partner in 2020 and feels a great connection with Lutruwita, Pinterrairer land, as it reminds her of her homeland Aotearoa, except for the snakes. Her project is her home & land where she is converting an original 1918 shop into the family home, planting a garden, and raising a kiwis’ favourite animal, sheep. She has created a local market & car boot sale as a fundraiser for the community. She is a board member of the local school and community house. And a member of the Dorset Suicide Prevention Network.
She joined Health Consumers Tasmania at the start of the Health and Wellbeing Networks, and is an advocate for listening and voicing the needs of her community. She was a Kitchen Table Host and Regional Steering Group Member, and is now a proud Community Engagement Worker for Better Health 4 Dorset. She has seen change happen over her career and is committed to the change in the Health & Wellbeing of her municipality.
She feels extremely lucky to be here and involved in a part of this motivating journey.