Sally McLennan has a relatively unique spin on life. Born in Papua New Guinea (PNG) to Australian parents, Sally experienced a childhood filled with community spirit, connection and a focus on education.
Sally tells us about her early years. “My family lived in a tiny house on Rabaul Island, off the coast of mainland PNG. It was an interesting life, based around plantations trading in copra, coffee and rubber. We saw plenty of crocodiles, tree kangaroos and birds of paradise. When it came time for school, I went to mainland PNG and lived in Port Moresby, attending Ela Beach School, which exists to this day. The students couldn’t have been more diverse. There were children of academics at the University, local families from the villages, army brats from Defence Force families, children from Diplomatic postings and also Chinese, Portuguese, German, Dutch, English and Australian expats like my family. We all met at school and played together. It was very much a free-range childhood.”
Once Sally completed her primary schooling, the family moved back to Australia and Sally found herself at an all-girls school which was, and still is, known for its focus on education and says "I always remember the rigorous attention to timetabling and what seemed, at the time, like a forensic attention to uniform etiquette. It was an amazing opportunity for me, and I was so lucky to benefit from that system, but I’ll never forget the sports mistress who inspected my sports bloomers without asking me first. Wearing shoes was bad enough, but no-one had ever laid hands on me while in a school environment and I was astounded. It was something of a culture shock and totally informed my view of the school system in the future.”
Sally continues “My father continued his path of civic duty once back in Australia, volunteering to assist with my school’s financial admin and perform other tasks of public service. He was a very hands on volunteer. This new environment and parental influence catapulted me into a new world. My father encouraged me to pursue an educational experience outside the classroom and I joined the German Australian Student Exchange program as a private member.”
Sally explains what this meant. “My school was not awarded a scholarship that year, however I had a wonderful German teacher - Frau Lewin, known for her rigorous approach to learning. My father asked Frau Lewin if there was a way I could still get to Germany, and it was actually her uncommon kindness and connections that allowed me to join the Exchange group as a private student. I spent two months overseas with a German family in (then) West Germany, where I attended school. I also travelled to East Germany and other places with my fellow exchange students. It was an eye- opener. It was an education in life based on meaningful connections with my host family and friends, and travellers who I needed to be able to depend on in order to survive. It’s something every child can do with the right support, and it gave me a life-long love of learning. It led to the study of languages and more at University in Australia, as well further study and work in Germany and Italy. It's amazing how much of an influence one very special teacher can have in your life, and how that changes everything. Frau Lewin gave me a leg up,and that's exactly what I want to do, firstly within Raise, and now with Ripples."
Sally determined early on that she would use her education to enrich her own life and the lives of others. After working in the UK, she came back to Australia and started her family, which includes three children. This work included publishing in the UK and Australia and client services in graphic design in Sydney and Melbourne. At this point, Sally solidified her thinking and passion for the importance, not just of education, but good pastoral care, and was open to an opportunity to put this passion into action. It was then that Sally met Su Cordiner and tells us “my neighbour and friend Su hosted wonderful get togethers. Her daughter baked pikelets for the cause and Su fostered a connection close to her heart with Vicki Condon – this was Raise. This group then became the Ripples Giving Circle, the opportunity I was looking for.”
Sally was keen to contribute in some way, but at first she found it impossible to dedicate time to mentoring whilst raising three children and working full time. So she organised a group of friends to join forces and attend the functions organised by the Raise fundraising committee over the years. She has also attended the graduations of the schools the Ripples group support, seeing firsthand the impact mentoring has. Supporting young people with the skills to survive and thrive before the challenging later teen years hit.
Sally is ensuring this spirit of community service continues with her children and entrusts the administration of family donations to a daughter and one of her sons, who is a teacher. Sally explains her decision “I want my son to contribute on the ground like my father did. We all need a purpose which is greater than work and family, we need to have a passion and make a difference. Being united with a common purpose simply gives you a better life. Raise gives me the toolkit to put this into action.”
Sally’s creed of living a life of purpose and giving back is continuing with the next generation of her family, and Raise is privileged and proud to have them as a vital part of the Raise village.
