I am a passionate advocate for systemic change in the criminal justice space, especially its treatment
of people with trauma, substance misuse, homelessness and First Nations peoples, with a focus on
the over incarceration of these cohorts.

I have lived experience of homelessness, substance misuse and engagement in the criminal justice
systems in NSW and Victoria over a 20 year period, including over 7 years of incarceration.
Over the last 17 years I have built a career in the community services sector, starting as a casual youth
worker with City of Sydney. I have worked extensively in Homelessness, Mental Health, and the
Criminal Justices’ areas of the sector in both adult and youth spaces. For the last 10 years I have been
in senior management, again in both adult and youth services. I have been lucky to work extensively
with First Nations people throughout my career, due to their overrepresentation in these areas.

I currently manage the Rainbow Lodge Program which celebrates 60 years of operations last year and
is the longest running post release accommodation service in Australia and the third longest running
in the world. Rainbow Lodge was featured in the ABC Four Corners documentary “Breaking Free” in
2024.

Rainbow Lodge supports men exiting a term of incarnation to heal from their trauma and reintegrate
back into the community, we are strongly focused on supporting First Nations men. Rainbow Lodge
works with high risk offenders, many with violent histories including domestic violence related
offences. I was a NSW finalist in the 2025 Australian of the Year awards, Local hero category