Do you know those women who just seem to get more done than the rest of us? Who seem to maybe have an extra 3 or 4 hours each day to tick things off on their lists? Who we maybe joke about being "bloody over-achievers" and yet look at with total awe.
This blog is about those amazing women who we want to be when we grow up. Even when those women are 25 years younger than you!!
Let me introduce you to Rose Cox. If you don't know her already, you will one day. I first met Rose as a 16-year-old, telling her story to a room full of corporates and celebrities, along with the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove, back in 2015. She was in her school uniform and spoke openly and confidently amongst these folk and I was blown away. I clicked away that day, starting my documentation of this young lady and her journey.
With three young daughters myself (and my own morbid fear of public speaking), I was so inspired watching her speak and then navigate that room, having in-depth conversations and ensuring she got selfies with all the right people!
Rose is the Youth Ambassador for the charity, Kookaburra Kids, which provides support to children living in families impacted by mental health. Kookaburra Kids is a grassroots organisation, fuelled by the passion of CEO Pam Brown, that is making a huge difference to the lives of these kids, delivering respite through camps, support through friendships forged with other children in similar situations and mentoring opportunities for a future with a brighter outlook.
Rose's sign off on her email is "I'm not sad, that's not my story" and she is a testament to resilience and also the support and network that she was afforded through Kookaburra Kids. She radiates good vibes this chick and you can't help but be drawn to her.
At only 8 years old, Rose had been the primary carer for her younger sister Stella whilst her mum, Caroline, was admitted to hospital for a year with a rare neurological condition - Transverse Myeliitis. She also became the primary carer for her dad as he struggled with mental health and addictions.
Rose has gone from strength to strength over the past few years and I have loved meeting up with her to watch her blossom. In 2017, she completed her HSC, whilst already working part-time with PricewaterhouseCoopers in their Economics and Policy consulting team. She's currently studying a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Public Policy, Law and Governance and Public Relations and Social Media) at university with huge aspirations for a career in, well, she's not quite sure yet but she knows she wants to keep giving back to the wider community. She's also a sitting member on the NSW Carers Ministerial Advisory Council and to top it off, is a Justice of the Peace. Did I mention she's still in her teens?
She's now "graduated" from Kookaburra Kids and has crossed-over to become one of the volunteers that attend camps. Camps are run regularly and provide children a respite from their home life, which often involves being the primary carer to a parent or siblings. Key to the camps are the chat groups that provide age-appropriate information, allow them to share their experiences and help children develop coping and resilience skills.
If you're looking for volunteer opportunities that really make a difference or would like to donate to a worthwhile and worthy charity, I can totally vouch for this organisation. They rock. You can find out more information at www.kookaburrakids.org.au.
She is a force to be reckoned with and a credit to her beautiful mum, Caroline. Go forth Miss Rose and please let me tag along for the ride, taking pictures along the way. I think you'll need them for your auto-biography or political campaign one day.
In 2016, with one of my other favourite Kookaburra Kids ambassadors, tireless campaigner for mental health and all-round top bloke, Allan Sparkes, CV, OAM, VA
Rose in 2017 at NSW Parliament House with Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
And here she is speaking to a ballroom full of people at the inaugural KK Gala Ball in 2017. Respect, Rose.