Women of Penrith - Nicole Bridges

What is your job?

I am a Lecturer in Public Relations at Western Sydney University. I teach into the Bachelor of Communication. My responsibilities include coordination, lecturing and teaching into four of the undergraduate public relations units. As an academic, I am also involved in research and have just completed my PhD, exploring how mothers find support on social media.

How did you get your job?

I studied the same degree at Western Sydney University and have several years industry experience. I applied for some casual tutoring work when my eldest child was starting preschool and the full time ongoing role resulted from the casual work. That was 16 years ago!

Why do you love your job?

I love working with young adults and encouraging them to think about their future as communication professionals and the positive impact they can have on the world that they live in - they are our future. Their ideas, creativity and passion for their work inspires me. Teaching is such a rewarding vocation and the research is the icing on the cake. Being an academic enables me to combine my passion for public relations with my desire to explore important issues through my research.

What is your connection to Penrith?

I have been a resident of Western Sydney my whole life and have lived in Glenmore Park for more than half of my life. I completed my undergraduate degree at the Penrith campus of Western Sydney University and then went onto complete my honors and PhD at the same campus. Penrith is such a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family and I always proudly boast to my students that I am a member of the Penrith community.

Nicole Bridges is a lecturer at Western Sydney University.

linkedin.com/nicole-bridges

What is Women of Penrith?

An idea that was started by a South African company (read more about that here).

I have so many more female ambassadors lined up, join my mailing list (click here) to make sure you get the bios for these inspirational women to your Inbox.

Nicole - how to think.png

Women of Penrith - Natalie Ballard

What is your job?

I am a Commercial Lawyer, a Director of Novus Law Group, and a professional juggler (of time).

How did you get your job?

Two bachelors and a masters and a shitload of sweat, tears and hard work.

Why do you love your job?

I love feeling like I’ve helped someone which is maybe why I have stayed in suburban private practice so long

What is your connection to Penrith?

Born and bred Penrith native. My family are here and I love the community. I’m passionately against the stigmatism of ‘riff bogan’ stereotype that permeates.

Natalie Ballard is a Commercial Lawyer and Director at Novus Law Group Australia

www.novuslawgroup.com.au

linkedin.com/natballard

facebook.com/NovusLawGroupAustralia

What is Women of Penrith?

An idea that was started by a South African company (read more about that here).

I have so many more female ambassadors lined up, join my mailing list (click here) to make sure you get the bios for these inspirational women to your Inbox.

She is always arguing about money

Women of Penrith - Ruth Henwood

What is your job?

Geologist (Senior Geologist - Computer Modelling)

How did you get it?

I studied for 4 years at university, and have had 14 years continual training and mentoring through my employer, working in NSW, Queensland, WA and even Mozambique. I plan exploration programs, interpret data and construct computer models of deposits. I'm also involved in feasibility studies and preparing Resource estimates for public reporting.

Why do you love it?

It's different every day. Geology tells a story of how the earth came to be now, except I have to figure out that story starting with only the end of the puzzle; that way I can predict what's happening where we haven't been yet.

I've travelled all over Australia and worked with some amazing people along the way.

What is your connection to Penrith?

I grew up and went to school in Penrith and family and friends still live there.

What is Women of Penrith?

An idea that was started by a South African company (read more about that here).

I have so many more female ambassadors lined up, join my mailing list (click here) to make sure you get the bios for these inspirational women to your Inbox.

Ruth Henwood - Geologist.png

Women of Penrith - Janis Donnelly-Coode

What is your job?

I am a family lawyer and as a tangent to that I am now a public speaker. I talk about respectful relationships and domestic violence.

How did you get your job?

I was at University for seven years, I have a Bachelor of Commerce (with Merit) and a Masters of Law and Legal Practice. I had also been working in law firms for a long time when I started the public speaking.

I was also always into public speaking, joining debating teams and the like, and I am particularly passionate about the topic (that is I am particularly passionate about domestic violence advocacy work).

Why do you love your job?

I love being a lawyer because I enjoy the lateral thinking and communicating involved. Later in life it has also allowed me to work flexibly and even remotely which I also love.

I love being a public speaker because I would like to believe that I am helping, in a small way, with a very complex problem.

What is your connection to Penrith?

Everything? I was born here, I went to school here, I work here, I live here, I played basketball here, I do most of my advocacy work and volunteer work here and I am raising a family here.

Janis has a few balls in the air, she is employed at Coode & Corry Solicitors and Novus Law Group, and she is also “Janis Consults”.

coodecorry.com.au/respect

janis@janisconsults.com

instagram.com/janis.d.c

Women of Penrith - Janis Donnelly-Coode

Women of Penrith - the inspiration

I really loved this campaign out of South Africa, PPS Women Acknowledged, you can read more about it here and here.

Thanks to my lovely sister in law, I was inspired to do a set for Penrith women. Firstly, because I wanted to respond to those stereotypical awful things that are said to girls and women, and secondly because I wanted to the suggestion that certain achievements or professions are beyond the reach of kids born and bred in Penrith.

Full credit to the original group though, this is a great project.