Genevieve Danenberg may not be Mildura born, but she’s most definitely Mildura bred. After moving to the region with her parents at the tender age of 18 months, Genevieve has since grown up in Sunraysia and is a proud member of the Mildura community. Genevieve sat down with Danielle Wilcock to discuss her love of the region and why, despite spreading her wings and moving away to further her education, she was always destined to move back to the very place she calls home. Pictures: Carmel Zaccone
SPEAKING with Genevieve, the passion and enthusiasm she exudes for her hometown is unwavering.
The way in which she talks about her experiences of Mildura and being part of the local community undoubtedly comes from the heart.
She talks fondly of happy memories and of the opportunities it’s afforded her and her family and explains what it was that brought her parents, Paul and Liz Danenberg, to the region 25 years ago.
“My parents moved here when my father got a job for a local dentist firm and not long after there was an opportunity to take on the practice as his own,” she says.
“Mum and Dad are both from Adelaide and all of our extended family stayed in Adelaide, which is nice for us when we do visit as it does feel like home there.”
Genevieve is the oldest of two, Eleanor her younger sister shares the same enthusiasm for the Sunraysia region, despite now living and working in South Australia.
“Eleanor works as a journalist for a SA wine-making company, but we remain close and she’ll always call Mildura home,” she says.
She goes on to talk affectionately about her two furry siblings; Gemma the maltese shih zhu and Mr Darcy the toy poodle.
“Gemma is 14 and then we have Mr Darcy Fitzwilliam who is six, they’re absolutely part of the family,” she says. “They get on most of the time but Gemma being older definitely gets a little fed up with Mr Darcy.”
Genevieve went to kindergarten in Mildura, moving onto Sacred Heart Prep in 1997.
Between Years 7-10 she attended Trinity Lutheran College, finally moving onto St Joseph’s College. Of the times she spent at each educational institution, Genevieve speaks with great warmth and adoration but it wasn’t without its trials.
“I loved my schooling in Mildura but I did feel as though we didn’t completely fit.”
“Unlike the families who have been here for generations, we noticed it was a little different for my sister and I.
“It was harder for us to build that rapport and trust, but school and sport were important for our integration.”
Genevieve has a strong affinity for sports and, through her schooling, played tennis as well as soccer.
“I first played for Nichols Point Soccer Club before I went off to university. I kept in contact with friends while I was away. When I came back at the start of this year I jumped straight back into it,” she says.
“I’m also now part of the Nichols Point committee and help out however they need.
“I do want to play women’s AFL next year despite my parents being concerned about the risk of injury.”
Genevieve laughs as she explains her parent’s reservations about her participation but shrugs it off with an enlightening perspective.
“If something is worth it, it’s important to you and it makes you happy, then you should do it. You can’t let fear hold you back,” she says.
What cannot be denied is the Sunraysia community’s love and appreciation for sports.
“Sport is such an important part of the Sunraysia community, it’s like a family,” she says.
In 2011 Genevieve made the decision to attend Flinders University in Adelaide.
“It was such a good thing that Eleanor and I went to Flinders Uni in Adelaide, as we were never that far away,” she says.
“We both lived on campus, which was a great experience, but I was really home sick in my first couple of years.
“I did a double degree in nursing majoring in health sciences management and after that I did an honors in women’s body image.
“After volunteering in Union Campaigns and for the Labor Party, I decided to do undergraduate study in marketing at university. I saw a need for social media to be used and integrated in political campaigns. It was eight years in the end that I spent away from home, but I visited frequently, more so in the first few years.”
Genevieve’s affinity for the region and her desire to always move back is symbolic of the small town community culture and friendly feel that exists in Sunraysia.
“Mum and Dad were always here so this was very much regarded as home and always will be,” she says. “It’s so heart-warming when people come home.
“There is great weather, the river, great food and wine and the people are amazing. Coming back I found it’s changed but in many ways it’s like I never left. Running into people I went to school with or played soccer with is nice. Reconnecting with friends has been great.”
Genevieve’s political interest brought her back to the region at the end of last year. She now works for the local electorate office as operations manager, a job she clearly enjoys.
“I love my job, it is very stressful at times but it’s also so rewarding” she says.
“I think there’s a pressure after finishing university to go and find a job you have qualified to do and that you like but it doesn’t often happen like that.
“I feel very happy with where I am right now but who knows what the future holds.”
Genevieve’s experience growing up in Sunraysia has afforded her many fond memories.
“I used to love singing at the Eisteddfod and swimming in the Irymple pool with my friends,” she says.
“Being a keen reader I loved as a child going to the library and borrowing books but always having too many to carry home.
“I also love the sunrises and sunsets that Mildura offers, especially over the river. We had lots of great times on the river.
“We are so lucky here and sometimes take it for granted.”
