We asked Flinders Foundation Board Member, Helen Court-Williams some questions about her role on the Board and her passion for philanthropy and community.
Helen works as an audiologist. She joined the Flinders community when her two children began at Flinders Early Learning Centre as toddlers; her son is now in Year 11 and her daughter in Year 7. She generously contributes her time to our College community and to people in need in the wider community.
We are grateful to have Helen on our Flinders Foundation Board as we strive to fund and support the development of innovative and significant programs and assets for the benefit of students.
Q&A profile with Helen Court-Williams
What does your role involve as part of the Flinders Foundation Board?
My role is to support and engage the Flinders community to connect and work together to benefit the College. I hope to nurture a sense of belonging to the Flinders community and pride in the culture so that the College can go from strength to strength.
What do you enjoy about being involved in the Flinders Foundation?
I love helping to improve the experience of current and future students whilst working with like-minded parents and friends.
In your view, why is the Foundation important to Flinders’ future growth?
I strongly believe that everyone should do their bit to help the community. My children are my highest priority in life, and I love the fact that the Flinders Foundation Board gives me a vehicle to help raise funds and “friend-raise” for their school.
Furthermore, I am a believer in the saying: “The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit". These words resonate because I like to think that I can help future students.
Hopefully, my actions teach important life lessons to my children regarding philanthropy and helping others without expecting reward.
What are your links to our College community?
I have a son who is now in Grade 11 and a daughter in Grade 8 after starting kindy in FELC what seems just a blink ago.
When we arrived on the Sunshine Coast from Bermuda, I extensively researched all the schools and I was delighted when we secured a place at FELC and subsequently at the College.
I have been an active member of the Parents and Friends Association before becoming President of the Flinders Basketball Club. This is one of the ways I have met many great friends and had a lot of fun along the way.
What is your career role, and why are you passionate about your job?
I am an audiologist specialising in cochlear implants and I find it rewarding to help people to hear again. In my experience, there is nothing better than being able to make a positive difference to people’s lives. It is all worthwhile when I see the joy on people’s faces as they hear a loved one speak for the first time in years.
How are you involved in the wider community?
I am actively involved in helping charities that support the hearing impaired, and support the Red Cross and World Vision. We also sponsor two children from Uganda who are the same ages as our children.
What are your hobbies or interests?
As a family, we enjoy wake-boarding and spend much of our summer spare time at Lake Somerset. I also like sailing and lived on a boat for a year in Bermuda.
Otherwise, we enjoy life as much as possible on the beautiful Sunshine Coast. I am often spotted walking our dog around Point Cartwright. In quiet moments, I am an avid reader and devour historical fiction.
What is your favourite book that you would recommend others read?
I find this an almost impossible question as I love SO many books. However, I would say that one of my favourites is A Woman in White by Wilkie Collins because it’s considered to be among one of the first mystery novels. Many of its themes from 1859 are still relevant today.
What do you enjoy about living on the Sunshine Coast?
I love the beaches, laid-back outdoor lifestyle and the weather.
What are some of your favourite spots to visit on the Sunshine Coast?
I love walking the coastal paths along the many beaches and Noosa National Park. No matter what happens, I can’t help but feel grateful when I look at the view and the ocean.
What did you love about your schooling years?
I loved school and all the social events that went along with it. I grew up in a small village in the Yorkshire Dales with only four students in my year so I enjoyed very idyllic individual teaching in a combined-age class.
My secondary school was much larger but inaccessible if it snowed, therefore, snow days were fun but very dangerous with large-scale snowball battles and lots of sledding.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
When thinking about life, no amount of guilt can change the past and no amount of anxiety can change the future. That's why I believe in trying to stay positive and to always be kind.
