Debbie talked on her educational and professional life. Let fate be your guide is Debbie experience, letting life unfold.

 

Debbie started in science but found that it was not for her.  Debbie then met Rick and they went to Melbourne for Rick who was studying for his PhD. In Melbourne Debbie worked in reception which was not for her but she did learn to touch type.

Debbie went to University and studied English Literature then History at Sydney University then Australian Social History which is the history of hidden people, not just the leaders. Debbie obtained a teaching degree. Undertook a Graduate Degree of Local History at Edith Cowan University. After the Grad Dip a Masters on Female Criminality to see if the evidence for conviction was based on crimes of law or instead were due to their femininity based on the verbatim court reports in the newspapers. 

 
Debbie commenced as a Native Title Researcher for Neville Green. This was an intellectual and social challenge trying to find the hidden history both in WA and NSW and included Genealogical Research. The NSW native title work involved seminal cases.

 

In WA Debbie was called to the Noongar Trial for the South West as expert evidence and Debbie was able to eventually turn that gathered evidence  into her PhD, on the "Impact of Settlement and Loss of Identity." Even though Debbie had to revise the thesis because of the Judge Willcox's decision that title existed.

 

What Debbie was able to demonstrate was that though the indigenous people on the land seem to comply to the authorities they engaged in  passive resistance are were able to maintain their connection to their traditional land. Their intent was that by covert action to the dominant white culture they could undermine assimilation. There was lore culture behind the compliance.

 

Debbie has a career in native title state policy and has a role with the Mardu people in the Western Desert.

Debbie has a heart for the marginalised and vulnerable people and this fits well with in Rotary and its focus.

Enjoy Doug Worthinton's photos of the meeting: