SUE Watson recognised from an early age, that some of life’s events impact on your health and wellbeing, whether the event happened to you or a loved one.
“A traumatic event in your life can cause a variety of difficulties and may be stored in your body for a number of years and present in a number of ways; physically, emotionally, carer fatigue and/or burn out,” she said.
Ms Watson was just a month old, when along with her family made the move to Mildura.
“Initially we stayed with my grandparents, that was until the family home was purchased in Deakin Avenue, Mildura South,” she said.
“This is where I first started to learn about and recognise the importance of community.
“It is something that has stayed with me all my life. As a young person I would visit friends’ homes where I saw other families interact with others in the community, especially when people were in need.
“Sadly, our family was one that through no fault of ours found ourselves needing support, when my father became very unwell, this was when I was around seven.
“I recall visiting my father him in hospital, however, I did not realise the seriousness of his sickness at the time.
“I can remember hearing a neighbour talking with other adults about what they thought would soon be the funeral of my father.
“Fortunately, against all the odds my father survived, however, he was unable to work again, and this impacted on us as a family financially, and in lots of other ways.
“Another memory was my mum paying off the housing loan when I was a teenager.
“I didn’t know it at the time, but everything that was happening to me and my family was paving the way for my future. I can also remember, observing my then neighbours, assisting other families in need, I remember thinking at the time that was something that everyone should do if required.”
Due to high unemployment in Mildura at the time, Ms Watson said she decided to leave school at 16.
She was initially employed in an industrial store.
“My supervisor then, a really decent person, encouraged me to join the bank for more security,” Ms Watson said.
“Taking his advice, I applied for and got a job working with the Commonwealth Bank.
“As was the case for most employees in the banking industry, we were regularly transferred. This for me saw me work in branches in Mildura, Ballarat, Alice Springs, Katherine and Woden.
“It was during my time in Katherine that I met my husband Bruce, who also worked for the Commonwealth Bank.
“Alice Springs was where I began doing community work. I started helping with the Lioness Club, we helped run the local show.
“I tried the Lions Club in Katherine but found the members quite stale at the time.”
Ms Watson and the family relocated back to Mildura 12 years after their last bank move from Woden in Canberra with three children.
The fourth of their sons was born when they returned.
When their children were all in school, Ms Watson became involved in various parents’ committees.
“I was also on the soccer committee when the boys were at Three Colours,” she said. “We were the first female committee at the time.
“When the boys relocated to Nichol’s Point, it was Bruce’s turn to be involved.
“I also assisted the various theatre groups, when our son was involved, starting in the boys change rooms to front of house.
“Volunteers are essential to all community groups.”
Never one to sit still, Ms Watson, by then in her late 30s decided to attend university and enrolled in a Bachelor of Business.
“I was introduced to SIFE, Students in Free Enterprise, in which students do community projects,” she said.
“I had noted that literacy got more difficult for some students as they progressed in their years.
“With the help of others, we ran a literacy event inviting SPELD.
“Through this conversation, the Mildura library was able to source a significant grant to establish a literacy collection.
“Not long after this I was offered of a position at Mallee Family Care, as a hospital based financial counsellor I changed my degree.
“I was able to transfer my two years equivalent to a social work degree.
“Without a local university, this would not have been possible or without the support of my family.
“I have been fortunate to work, both as a social worker and/ or mental health clinician.
“After university life was over, I volunteered my time on some organisations to give back again.
“Lots of positive events occurred with my employment. One of my favourite roles was community wellbeing, which involved getting events up in Robinvale and Mildura to discuss mental illness.
“We had two plays and two guest speakers, Joe Williams and Osher Gunsberg, travel to the community.
“I know that both these incredible people’s story, impacted and influenced those in the room.
“They discussed how trauma, mental illness and addiction can be healed and people can change their lives around.”
But it was then Ms Watson needed support.
“2020 was a difficult year for our family with two operations, one each for Bruce and I, and a breast cancer diagnosis,” she said.
“I learnt whilst a financial counsellor that we as humans don’t plan for illness and this was the same for me and my family.”
Once again, the support of family and friends were enormous and helped Ms Watson and family through this difficult period.
“After my treatment was over, along with a group of friends, we organised two high tea events, to raise funds for Sunraysia Cancer Resources,” she said.
It was one of the groups Ms Watson had volunteered for in the past.
“Whilst I am no longer volunteering, I am an active board member for a local not for profit organisation, and you will find me occasionally at the Arts Centre, when local groups are performing,” she said.
“I also help out by purchasing Christmas presents for the annual Ulysses Motorbike run for the Salvation Army and other places around Christmas time.”
Volunteers can be the fabric of the community and so many people donate their time and other resources.
Ms Watson has worked in other fields and when employed as a financial counsellor, was directed to another area and began her journey to social work as a mature aged student.
She has obtained both a Bachelor and Master of Social Work and has worked in the health and mental health services for more than 10 years, she’s also been endorsed as an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker by the Australian Association of Social Workers.
“Confidence isn’t optimism or pessimism, and it’s not a character attribute. It’s the expectation of a positive outcome,” Ms Watson said.
“I like to think that I am, mostly, a more positive person. A glass fuller type, rather than the half empty and I tend to bring this to most of my mindset.
“I do however have self-doubt and I can at times talk myself out of tasks or even trying something.
“These past few years I have been working on this, especially with my creative side. I find myself doubting my ability and this can be self-limiting at times.
“I compare my work to others and then I feel a little inadequate, which unfortunately, then limits my ability to learn and grow.”
Last week I saw an invitation from my favourite nursery who were offering a small workshop to learn to draw.
“I decided to take up the opportunity and spend a few hours to learn and develop this art form. I made the decision that I was going to go with an open mind, without the self-doubt and stating that I couldn’t draw.
“I decided to be curious and sit, listen and trial this technique.
“Guess what? This enabled me to sit quietly for over two hours and walk away with a very good start of a drawing.
“I surprised myself and I was so excited that I went out that afternoon and shouted myself a new pencil set to continue trialling further attempts.
“I am going to challenge myself, to spend at least an hour each week with my pencils and drawing pad.
“To explore what can happen when I practice and experiment with the colours, tones and techniques. I may in fact be pleasantly surprised!”
