Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Photo supplied
Star Sign: Sagittarius
Fave Movie: Hunt for the WIlderpeople
Fave Colour: Teal
Fave Holiday destination: India
Fave Music: Always 90’s RNB
Fave Quote: Be the change you want to see in the world
Tell Us Something most people don't know about you? I joined the RNZAF straight out of school and nearly got my marksman with a C9 machine gun.
Beth Swanerton has packed more into one career than most people do in a lifetime.
Air Force service, property management, international living and community services have all featured along the way, with each chapter shaping the compassionate leader she is today at ILSA.
Beth moved into community services sector in 2011, and since then, she has worked across social housing, refugee and asylum seeker support, and the NDIS, bringing a wealth of experience to her current leadership role.
While she never followed the traditional university pathway, Beth credits her success to determination, curiosity and learning from those around her.
“I've got to where I am through ambition, hard work, and paying attention to the people around me.”
A self-described “Kiwi/Australian”, Beth was born in Sydney, spent 22 years in New Zealand and later lived in China before a family visit during COVID-19 turned Mackay into home.
“I came to Mackay to visit my family, and six years later, I'm still here,” she says. “I've created a great life and won't be going anywhere anytime soon.”
Outside of work, Beth is happiest spending time with her beloved dogs, Gigi and Alfie, alongside close family and friends.
Describing herself as “friendly, dog obsessed, and impatient”, Beth's adventurous spirit is reflected in her travel stories.
She believes travel broadens perspectives and counts North Korea among her most unforgettable experiences, where she thought she was about to get arrested by armed guards for having her hands in her pockets in front of a Kim Jong Il statue, chatted with the former Syrian Ambassador to Australia, and survived a New Year's Eve crowd surge where she was almost crushed.
But if her career proves anything, it's that the best journeys are rarely the ones you plan!
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