Helen
“Being a woman in the 21st century is about making the choice that fits with you, your lifestyle, your career, your location. We are lucky not to be confined by limited choice. ”
Helen is independent, curious, and compassionate; she has channeled these personal attributes into her work, traveling to remote regions in Australia to provide veterinary care to indigenous communities. In this position, she is able to dedicate her time to educating and training locals on how to care for their animals, while also highlighting environmental concerns specific to those areas. Through experiences like this, she has formed bonds with unsuspecting individuals and provided necessary aid to underserved regions. Meet Helen. This is her story.
K: Please introduce yourself!
H: Hi, my name is Helen. I am a Veterinary Nurse and Project Manager for Skydog Veterinary Services in Cape York, Queensland Australia. I moved from England nearly 10 years ago and have been living and working in very remote locations in tropical Far North Queensland. I fly into indigenous communities in Cape York and Torres Strait Islands, providing veterinary health care, education and training to the local people.
K: Describe yourself in your own words
H: I am a complete animal lover, bordering on crazy! My whole life revolves around trying to make small improvements to the lives of animals and the people who own them. I am an advocate for the one health approach, visiting households to educate owners about pet health whilst addressing environmental concerns. This work is my passion and it has kept me addicted for years. I am extremely dedicated to expanding the business to other remote areas of Australia, which lack the vital services.
I have always thought of myself to be a person who is social and slightly dependent on the company of others. I enjoy being part of a team and joining groups on adventurous trips. I love doing things out of the ordinary and can sometimes get myself into trouble! My polite nature and cheesy grin have got me out of a few scrapes! Since moving to a remote location, without the comfort of family and best friends, I have learnt to be a lot more independent and willing to brave the wilderness alone.
K: What is your favourite thing about yourself?
H: Aside from my compassion for animals, I like that I am able to immerse myself into different cultures and establish friendships with all walks of life. I am a good listener and I am extremely empathic towards others and what they are going through. I guess I want to help others that are less fortunate, whether that is animals or people.
K: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that’s defined you or made you stronger?
H: Ummm, to cut a long story short, at the start of my working holiday visa in Australia I ended up in a high security women's correctional facility in Sydney. It was a changing moment in my life where I realised that I had a strength which I hadn't noticed before. When there was no one around to depend on, I had myself and I felt brave. Not that I'm encouraging people to break the law and go to jail! It just made me realise that inside us all we have the ability to cope with anything outside of our comfort zone.
I would also say that living in an isolated part of Australia for the last 10 years has also changed me. I'm not even sure what city life is like anymore! I have definitely become more at ease with the wonders of nature, even with its crocodiles, giant spiders and the recurrent scares from venomous snakes!
K: What is one piece of advice you’d give to your younger self?
H: I am still trying to give myself advice, but one thing I would have told my younger self is to be more comfortable with who I am. Don't try to change to please other people. You don't have to attract others by doing what pleases them. If you are true to yourself and follow your dreams, no matter how big or small, you will attract others who are drawn to that. It is your life and you are lucky to have choices.
K: What does being a woman mean to you?
H: When I was younger, I used to think that being a woman was becoming a mother and raising children. As I have grown older, I have felt the pressure to have children and fit in with other women my age. It is only recently that I realised that having children does not define me as a woman. Being a woman in the 21st century is about making the choice that fits with you, your lifestyle, your career, your location. We are lucky not to be confined by limited choice.
Just be a person, and a good one.
K: Who is one woman that inspires you? What would you say to her if she were here now?
H: There are so many aspects of different women who inspire me. I couldn't possibly pick just one. I find women who are dedicated, nurturing and supportive the most inspiring.
My work colleague has inspired me to increase my practical skills and let nothing hold me back. I don't think I've ever been encouraged to use so many power tools than I have in the last year! This powerful woman has battled with ADHD to sail yachts, fly planes and start a business whilst raising three children. I have realised that women can do anything that they set their mind to.