The Relocation Co-ordinator for the NSW Department of Housing, Dawn is working out daily either at Stuart Park or scaling the heights at Bulli in readiness for the acid test at Kokoda, the 1000 stairs that have to be conquered on the first day of the arduous climb.
She knows it won’t be easy, but she is looking forward to the camaraderie and bathing in the local river.
“It’s something I have wanted to do for some time now and I’ve finally taken the decision to give it a go,” she says.
Dawn was born in Wollongong and attended Dapto High until she left in her early teens and worked serving milk shakes and the like at a Dapto garage.
Then followed nine years with Woolworths before as a mature age student she studied for an obtained an Associate Diploma in Social Science.
While she was undertaking this course Dawn also worked as a day care mother, which stood her in good stead when she joined The Salvation Army in their crisis accommodation service and spent time helping to establish and find funding for their women’s refuge at Port Kembla.
Dawn worked for The Salvation Army’s Refuge for 15 years and helped foster some 50 children through DOCS, many of whom faced a short term crisis situation.
Later she was to work at a group home for teenage girls at Figtree.
A change of scene
Then she decided it was time for a new scene and a nine to five job, and The NSW Department of Housing beckoned.
“I love what I’m doing there in the area of helping housing tenants when and if they have to relocate as part of the department’s current program of opening up a range of facilities for long term residents,” she says.
There are already relocations for new redevelopments in process from Bulli to Shellharbour which are part of the relocation process.
But right now the challenge of the Kokoda Trail is uppermost in her mind and she’s determined to make the grade. | 
What a role model! It won't be easy, but stick in there. It's the heat that is the worst.
by Fergie
29 Apr 09 12:27