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  • Synopsis

Synopsis

Geetha has lived in Toongabbie since the early ‘80s, after migrating with her young family from Karnataka, South India. She has been involved in community service and charitable organisations in her local area for over 35 years, balancing this work alongside her 36-year career at the ATO, Metcash and Mission Australia.

Geetha is a respected elder in her Havyaka community. She gave full-time retirement a try but has recently taken up a part-time role with NSW Healthshare to stay active and be involved with her local hospitals.

She is actively involved with Healthy Living Toongabbie Inc a group of health-conscious business and community leaders in Toongabbie urging local residents to join in the fight against type 2 diabetes. When at home, Geetha likes to spend time in her garden, cook delicious meals for family and friends and catch up on the latest business and investing news.

We are Blacktown is a UTS Impact Studios production.
Producers: Britta Jorgensen, Jane Curtis, Celine Teo-Blockey
Executive Producer: Olivia Rosenman
Sound design: Melissa May
Research: Jackie May
Podcast artwork: Alexandra Morris
Theme music: Beaming by FRIDAY

Podcast playlist

EPISODE 14

Leanne Redpath

July 18 · 7 MIN

Leanne Redpath is a Dharug artist, educator and book illustrator. She is also connected to the Burubiranggal, Warmuli and many other family groups across Sydney and NSW. Leanne started painting with her mother as a young child. She is the author of Cooee Mittigar and Sharing, children’s books created to share Dharug knowledge and culture. Leanne is a long-serving director of the Dharug Custodian Aboriginal Corporation. She is a mother and grandmother, and she loves spending time with her family and on Country.

EPISODE 13

Mayor Chagai

July 18 · 7 MIN

Mayor Chagai is the founder and head coach of Savannah Pride, a basketball club that mentors and connects young people through sport. Savannah Pride is a grassroots youth organisation that draws on the South Sudanese community’s passion for basketball to foster community harmony.  At six years old, war forced Mayor to leave his South Sudanese village. He made his way via Ethiopia to a Kenyan refugee camp, where he discovered he had a gift for basketball. A true community leader, Mayor’s work with Savannah Pride creates a supportive place where young people in the Blacktown LGA can channel their energy and grow.

EPISODE 12

Kim Loo

July 18 · 6 MIN

Kim Loo is a doctor who has worked in the Blacktown LGA for 35 years. She is committed to highlighting the evidence around social, environmental and commercial determinants of health. She is a tireless advocate for climate justice.

Kim is a fourth-generation Australian with a Malaysian Chinese cultural background. She is the mother of two adult children.

Kim is passionate about permaculture and cooking and she uses these activities and values to grow her community.

She contributes to many public health and wellbeing organisations including NSW Doctors for the Environment, Asian Australians for Climate Solutions, the Australian Medical Association, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, the Hills Doctors Association and the Western Sydney Primary Health Network.