I grew up in North Queensland, and these days I move between Brisbane and Melbourne, with sons in both cities. I have been married for almost 50 years and am the proud mother of three sons. My 40-year nursing background has shaped much of my life, alongside bachelor’s degrees in nursing and psychology, a Master of Healthcare Leadership, and a Diploma in Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy. Life and people continue to fascinate me, and I love travelling and discovering different cultures and traditions. While I value formal education, some of my most meaningful lessons have come from lived experience and the people I have met along the way.

I became an author to share those experiences and the strategies I have used to help people overcome anxiety, particularly health and dental anxiety. My book is called Slow Down to Keep Up because I genuinely believe pausing and slowing down is key to life. As I approach 70 in a couple of years, I feel curious and excited about what this next phase of life might hold. I am discovering that life can begin again at any age, with fresh possibilities, new adventures and more to learn. In many ways, I feel I am only getting started.