NATALIE Alexander shares her story filled with diverse experiences, from a childhood in a small town to a career in law and advocacy for domestic violence victims. Her journey reflects resilience, compassion, and a commitment to making a positive impact.
Natalie was born in Parkes, New South Wales forty-two years ago and has lots of fond childhood memories of crabbing and yabby catching with her older brother in the town's dam. Sadly, her brother has since passed, but she remembers how close they were and describes those times as a lot of fun.
Before the kids came along, Natalie’s mum was a nurse, and her dad was a police officer but in the early 80s, when the kids were born, her parents stepped down from their careers and set up a general store instead. At the time there were no takeaway shops in town, so her mum and dad put in a pizza oven which was very successful.
When Natalie was about eight, the family moved to Newcastle, and later, she got into hospitality. By nineteen, she took a bold step, moving alone to Sydney and working at the Balmain Tigers Leagues Club. However, it was her father's influence that eventually led her to join the police force in December 2003, driven by a desire to help people and a passion for justice.
Reflecting on her police academy days in Goulburn, Natalie recalls the question posed to recruits about their motivation for joining the force. For her, the desire to help people remained a driving force throughout her ten-year career. Policing, she describes, is a tough gig and highly stressful, with exposure to traumatic incidents ranging from fatal accidents to domestic violence and everything in between.
“The trauma that you are exposed to is horrific. In every job you go to you are dealing with people who are at their worst. But it was great to be able to help the victims.”
When Natalie stepped down from the police force her determination to continue in the law led her to become a lawyer, focusing on supporting women and children in domestic violence situations and navigating family law complexities.
She engaged in numerous diplomas and completed a Bachelor of Laws, while her kids were little, studying part-time over five years while managing a wedding business called Stylish Weddings. Post-graduation, she pursued a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice and is currently on the path to becoming a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner.
Natalie has lived in Hervey Bay for a decade and chose the location for its weather. She is a divorced mother of a thirteen-year-old son and a ten-year-old daughter and currently, works remotely. Her work takes her to Western Queensland, where she passionately assists women and children facing domestic violence.
After recently losing her mum, the experience prompted her to reflect on life's purpose and the legacy one leaves behind.
“You think about your life purpose and about how you would like to be remembered. It is important to be giving, loving, and kind and to chase your goals.”
Natalie works hard and appreciates where she is at. Her biggest life lesson is to listen to your gut. Intuition is there for a reason, so listen to it. Natalie says her life would be very different if she had listened to hers.
Amid personal and professional achievements, Natalie cherishes her moments of solitude, sharing her life with a toy poodle named Princess, a guinea pig called Fluff Ball, and a cat named Speedy. Natalie also finds joy in activities like gym, op shopping, kayaking, and traveling. and spending quality time with her kids.
By Kim Parnell
From What’s On Fraser Coast
