? MEET DAWN HARVIE ?
Dawn was nominated for International Womens Day by a team-mate and she has shared her story with us….
“My parents met in the Cook Islands. Mum was a plantation farmers daughter and I spent the first 3 years of my life frocking in the sun and sand of island life. I am the eldest grandchild of 36 grandchildren to date (there could be more… they couldn’t afford TV in most households!) on my mother’s side and I am one of seven on Dad’s side.
As a child we relocated to Australia and started life in Boolaroo Centre, South Australia on the family homestead. Farm animals, grain harvesting, yabbie catching and country home cooking was the norm. Schooling and Dad’s role in the defence force required us to move closer to Adelaide eventually.
I was joined by a brother when I was 6, followed by a sister at 12. Having a big extended family, I was no stranger to spending free time with friends and family (and usually being the one in charge of the younger ones while the adults had fun), and several years later through life changes I welcomed a sister at 23 year of age – along with 5 new step-brothers and a step-sister.
A quiet child throughout most of my childhood, I was always very observant, and often a confidant to others. I had a hunger to learn what made things ‘tick’ and that, coupled with always being around people, I became more confident to speak openly, publicly and with great conviction. My teens and early 20s included a lot of sports; rugby, swimming, volleyball (who knew these stumpy legs could run in the 100m relay for 3 years consecutively) and I embraced my culture as a dancer which saw me travel all around South Australia in a Cook Island dance group performing for the Fringe, Police Tattoo, Tour Down Under, Fashion Week (rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous) and Rugby World Cup to name a few. I was in newspapers, radio, 6pm news and the Multicultural Affairs of SA website. All before social media so I think of myself as an ‘influencer’ before that was even a thing!)
I came to the realisation at a very young age that through personal growth and development, I felt great passion and satisfaction from helping others. This realisation had a lasting impact. While I had dreams of being in the defence force, a farmer or a social worker at a young age. Life had other ideas. Fresh into adulthood I started my professional career in the Health Industry as a carer for spinal and brain injured individuals in community services for several years before settling into Aged Care. Initially I was a PCW, followed by purchasing office, housekeeping supervisor, continence coordinator, train the trainer manual handler, Lifestyle Coordinator and Administration Coordinator.
With 20yrs years of experience in the health care sector and specifically aged care, I am passionate about older people. I actually like them more! Hahahahaha. They have a lifetime of experiences, memories, hardships and achievements that the generations after them will never know of, and it is an absolute honour to be part of their lives in their twilight years. Sharing in their memories, hopes, sorrow and joy. Knowing that we are there with them to their very last breath.”
Do you know an amazing and passionate woman who has been unafraid to #breakthebias
#breakthebias2022 #internationalwomensday #internationalwomensday2022 #inspiration #theinfin8woman
