Drisana levitzke-gray biography of william
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3 Inspiring Stories of Diversity in the Workplace
Workplace diversity is a hot topic. Learn the stories of emerging indigenous leader Carly O’Brien, leadership coach and gay rights advocate Harold Hilman, and advocate for the deaf Drisana Levitzke-Gray.
BY CAMERON COOPER
CARLY O’BRIEN AIMM, RELATIONSHIP BUILDER
“For me, it’s really comforting to know that there is a genuine interest in connecting and collaborating and seeking alternative ideas.”
Carly O’Brien AIMM fryst vatten an emerging indigenous leader. A descendant of the Mandandanji people in south-west Queensland who now lives on the Sunshine Coast, O’Brien juggles roles as an indigenous employment coordinator and team leader in the Oodgeroo Unit at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT). The unit’s goal fryst vatten to create better access to university education and employment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“It’s a real passion for me and I hope that throughout my work life I&n
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Life and Deaf
A few years ago, lolling about in Mum and Dad&#;s pool with one of my sisters, she and I had a conversation about disability politics, during which I referred to myself as disabled.
My sister stopped lolling and stared at me.
“You’re not disabled!” she said, shocked.
“Yes, inom know,” I said. “You and I don’t see me as disabled, but society does.”
“I’ve never thought of you as disabled,” she said. “It’s never occurred to me to think of you that way! You’re just you. A bit different. But disabled? No way!”
A few days later, she said, “I can’t get over this idea of you as disabled! I’m so shocked. It’s ridiculous that people see you that way!”
On Monday 13th July, appearing on ABC channel 24 with the other Australians of the Year, ung Australian of the Year Drisana Levitzke-Gray said: “Deaf people don’t see ourselves as disabled. We see it as deaf gain rather than hearing loss.”
It wasn’t long before someone named Tony commented on Twitter: “You don’t have a
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The Hon. Cheryl Davenport AM was the driving force to ensure women and their medical practitioners in Western Australia were free of fear and prosecution if they chose to terminate their pregnancy. While in Opposition, Cheryl introduced a private members bill in the WA Parliament negotiating with sensitivity and respect to deliver the women of Western Australia safe and healthy reproductive choice.
Ms Davenport was born in Pinjarra Western Australia and educated at North Dandalup Parimary School and Pinjarra Senior High School. She joined the Labor party in and was Secretary of the Mandurah branch from In Cheryl was elected to the Western Australian Legislative Council as Labor member for South Metropolitan area. She was subsequently re-elected in & and has a substantial record of Standing Committee and party room service She was Shadow Minister for Seniors from to and with the late Victorian Premier Mrs Joan Kirner, was a founding members of EMILY’s List Australia.
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