BEC Browning leads her life and does her job in-line with a simple credo.
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“Just be kind”.
It might be a straightforward saying, though some find it challenging in practice, but it could earn the Gomeroi woman national recognition.
Ms Browning has been nominated by disability service provider Kirinari as “Inspirational Woman of the Year” for her work with a range of sectors in the community.
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With Pathfinders’ Ability Links branch, she has worked with local businesses, groups and council to help make the city more inclusive for people living with disabilities, as well as assisting with the transition to the NDIS.
While she might be a familiar face in the community through her varied work, including the ‘Splash on Peel’ art workshop for women and ‘Drum Beat’ music workshops, helping with confidence and mental health, she prefers to make a difference behind the scenes.
Despite the diversity in her community work, there was a thread which ran through her efforts.
“The community needs to have each others’ backs,” she said.
“It’s just way I was raised to respect everyone, treat how people how I wanted to be treated.”
She said helping people feel included in the community was the most rewarding aspect of work in the disability sector.
“The independence and general feeling of them being happy and part of a community,” she said.
“We’re lucky we can go to a job, make friends, get out and about pretty easily, and for people living with a disability it might be hard to find a purpose.”
Kirinari nominated Ms Browning for her involvement in many community activities, including ‘Drum Beat’ and ‘Splash on Peel’.
“Kirinari acknowledges the fantastic work Bec does for Aboriginal people with disabilities in linking them to family past and present, linking them to services that give greater independence and quality of life and inspiring people to live their best life,” the organisation’s nomination said.