An interview with Susanne Baxandall

Susanne, can you tell us a little about yourself?

I’m Susanne, a social worker and former Division 1 Registered Nurse.
Originally from New Zealand, I was educated in Melbourne, and graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work from Preston Institute of Technology (now RMIT University) and a Master of Social Work from the University of Melbourne.

I have worked in the health sector since the early 1970s, first in public hospitals and then in the not- for-profit sector.

My social work career started in the late 1970s and continues to be one of firsts. Member of the first Community Care Planning Department in the Victorian division of the Red Cross, inaugural Director of the Cancer Council of Victoria’s Patient Services Development Department and first Advocacy Coordinator with Diabetes Victoria.

I believe in having ‘passion with purpose.’ It’s wonderful to have the great ideas and desire to achieve change, but committing to the hard work involved and achieving change is what is truly rewarding.

Aside from work, I love gardening, jazz, learning new languages and travelling, as I believe you should always have something to look forward to.

What does your role at Diabetes Victoria involve?

I have held the position of Advocacy Coordinator with Diabetes Victoria for 17 years.

In a nutshell, my role involves supporting people who are living with diabetes and are facing problems; including when they:

• face discrimination,
• while at work and other areas of public life, need help to secure their rights,
• want action to improve services and policies.

What are you most proud of, both personally and professionally?

I’m proud of the many programs and initiatives I have been a part of.

During my time at the Red Cross, I assisted with the establishment of Telecross, a telephone service that performs daily wellbeing checks to those in need. I also advocated for the mental health needs of people affected by bushfires to be recognised (including recovery and community reconstruction staff). As a result, mental health needs are now recognised and addressed in Victorian state disaster welfare plans.

At the Cancer Council, I helped establish the cancer helpline and assisted Sister Margaret Noone to establish Very Special Kids, the first support organisation in Victoria to help families of children with life-threatening conditions.

During my employment at the Cancer Council, I was the first female department director to become pregnant and continue working. For the previous 50 years, all female staff resigned once pregnant. I went on to have two children in this role.

Over the past 17 years, I’ve experienced many proud moments at Diabetes Victoria.

A career highlight was supporting the first Victorian woman with type 1 diabetes to be sworn in as a member of Victorian Police.

In 2011, we were successful in advocating for policy change, extending the Centrelink carers allowance for children living with type diabetes, from up to 10 years of age to 16 years of age.

On a personal note, I’m proud to have brought up my children as a solo parent, while still being able to buy a house, have a career and live mostly debt free – despite the continuing gender pay gap.

Special thanks to Susanne for sharing her story. You can read more about International Women’s Day at: internationalwomensday.com

This story was originally published as an International Women’s Day feature.