Shirley O’Toole has lived a varied and full life. She has been an activist for many years and for the past eighteen years Shirley has held a variety of positions in the human services sector, in both paid and voluntary capacities. She has taught within the TAFE system in NSW and Queensland and has designed and facilitated many workshops, forums, planning and team development days and meetings.
Shirley began her training in human services with an Associate Diploma in Social Sciences through Brisbane College of Advanced Education (now QUT). She then obtained a Bachelor of Arts: Social Sciences from Curtin University of Technology. Seeking a deeper understanding of our world and best practice in community development Shirley completed a Masters of Applied Science: Social Ecology at the University of Western Sydney.
Shirley is a woman passionate about empowering individuals and communities to bring about personal and social change and believes in the power of creativity to give a voice to people who are disempowered.
Shirley is also a performer with Hobart Playback Theatre Company, a singer and songwriter, poet and artist.
She claims the most important role she has ever had is that of mother to her two sons.