Jacqui taught Japanese, English, learning diversity and English as an Additional Language for 30 years, and is now one semester away from completing a Master of Speech Pathology at Charles Sturt University. A Rotary exchange to Japan at 16 changed the direction of her whole life, leading her to Monash University and, decades later, back to study while she kept teaching, waiting until her youngest finished high school before leaving to complete her final placements. During these years she also lost her mother to Parkinson's disease, an illness her mother faced with strength and grace.

Her message to other women: grab whatever opportunities come your way, give it a go, and never give up on the dream.

Find Jacqui on LinkedIn at Jacqueline Brown and on Instagram at @jacquirbrown