We’re excited to introduce Hannah, the new Mid West Early Years Gender Equality Project Officer at Desert Blue Connect, to our Community, Respect & Equality (CRE) network! Hannah will be working closely with CRE to support primary prevention activities in early years settings across the Mid West, helping build a safer, more inclusive community for everyone.
“Hi, I’m Hannah! I moved to Geraldton last January after travelling across the Nullarbor from Melbourne with a car full of furniture, family, pets, and dreams of living by the beautiful Indian Ocean – what a place to call home!
Hannah brings over 25 years of experience in primary education, including 15 years as a classroom teacher and education consultant, and almost 10 years as a school principal. She is passionate about inclusive education, learning through play, and engaging families and communities to create unique learning experiences tailored to every child.
“I always thought I’d work in primary schools forever, until this role caught my attention. I’ve supported schools using the OurWatch Framework for nearly a decade, but I’ve never come across an initiative like CRE. The way this network of businesses and organisations collaborate to build a whole-of-community approach to primary prevention here in Geraldton is truly innovative. It builds on and advances work happening across Australia, and I feel honoured to play my part.”
In her role, Hannah works with early childhood education and care services across the Mid West, as well as parents and caregivers of children aged 0–5, to implement gender equality strategies as a primary prevention against family and domestic violence. Her goal is simple but powerful: stop family violence before it starts.
Currently, Hannah is helping early years services access and use high-quality resources to teach gender equality and apply a gender lens to their programs. She is also developing resources for parents and caregivers, showing small, practical ways to support their children in forming healthy relationships from the start.
If you are a parent or caregiver with questions about gender equality in the early years, or would like Hannah to visit your service, you can contact her at Desert Blue Connect on 9964 2742 or email HannahR@DesertBlueConnect.org.au