MINUTES WITH
KATIE BRASSIL
road. And most of those roads
You obviously think about your
were dirt, so I had to know how
learnings and you think about
to drive a four-wheel drive, how
the information you have, but I
to change a tyre and how to drive
NEWLY-APPOINTED BOARD MEMBER OF THE WESTS GROUP
think following your gut, from a
in the mud.
business perspective, is a very
Wests is an iconic regional
important skill.
brand. It’s regarded regionally as
I’m an avid mountain bike rider
I finished school in 1984 and
an organisation that is extremely
consultant, when one of my
astute and conservative, but
and I started riding mountain
I worked in a whole range of
clients, which was Centennial
also extremely successful. It’s
areas. I worked in retail and in
Coal, made me an offer that I
in an industry sector that I don’t
early childhood - I actually ran a
couldn’t refuse!
have any prior experience, so it’s
mobile pre-school at one stage
The mobile preschool was a
like when I went into the mining
- and I also taught long-term
four-wheel drive, dual cab with a
industry, it was a very steep
unemployed and disadvantaged
canopy on the back. And I used
learning curve but you have
groups, particularly mature
to average 750 kilometres a
a whole range of transferable
aged women. I then took those
week visiting isolated schools,
skills.
skillsets into the political area
rural properties and Aboriginal
The best bit of advice I have
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter
and have been an advisor and
missions. I had everything in
been given was by the late Ken
Service. It keeps me fit and it’s
worked for a Federal MP and
the back of that vehicle - dolly’s
Moss, who was Chair of the
also just really different and it’s
also a State Minister. I had an
dress ups, Play-Doh, arts and
Centennial board, who said,
very grounding. I’m built for long
interesting couple of years as
crafts, story corner. I loved it. It
“Follow your gut”. Gut instinct,
distance, not for speed.
CEO of the Hunter Economic
was just an absolutely fantastic
particularly, is really often right
So I’m never going to be the first
Development Corporation, and
job but very tiring because four
and I’ve often followed my gut
across the finish line, but I’ll
then tried a little stint as a
days out of five I was on the
on a whole range of things.
always finish.
24 westsnewcastle.com.au
bikes about ten years ago to raise money for charity. I participate in a whole range of events all over the country. My kids think I’m mad. But I still come back to that annual event, which is the West Cycle Classic, which raises funds for
