Jennifer Galloway (President)
Jennifer Galloway - Senior Manager, Agrifutures Australia
What is your work/passion/ side-hustle?
I feel blessed that working at AgriFutures Australia as Senior Manager, Communications is both my work and my passion. Not only do I get to work with a bunch of talented, dedicated, and passionate professionals, but I also get to go to work every day doing what I love and doing something that matters.
I need to be affecting change and adding value in my work to survive, and in my current role, I get to do that by developing and driving innovative communication programs that deliver better experiences for our stakeholders and audiences.
2. Beyond the 9 to 5 – what do you live for
As a working mum, beyond 9 to 5 I live for ‘me’ time, my family, and my friends. I have three gorgeous children, an equally gorgeous husband, and ‘Molly’ our German Shepherd. They all keep me very grounded and remind me that ‘balance’ means we go to bed every day feeling we did our best!
I keep myself busy by keeping my mind and body fit. I love getting outside and just taking the time to relish in what surrounds me. Most mornings you can find me listening to a podcast on a walk with the dog, doing yoga via YouTube or at Pilates.
I keep my mind fit through my connections in the community and supporting as many local initiatives as I can. One of the reasons I joined the WWiB Executive was to immerse myself further into this dynamic community.
I also try and get back home to Sydney when I can, though the last 12 months have been difficult. My family are there, and when we bring the country cousins home, there is always lots of love and laughter. And a girl has got to have her Pho fix and Yum Cha!
3. How did you land in Wagga - Are you Wagga born and bred, grew up here moved away and returned, moved here later in life and stayed because you love it, or something else that landed you here?
I moved here for love….
I moved to Wagga 11 years ago with my husband and then only child, Jonte. I took 12 months maternity leave from the Sydney PR agency where I was working, and after a year of living on my in-law's farm, I hung up my stilettos for farm boots and have never looked back.
And why would you, Wagga is such a fantastic place to bring up a family. I’ve got a fantastic job that I love. We have managed to buy a home and a farm and still have money left for avocado on toast and holidays!! That would have never happened in Sydney. Everything is 7 minutes away (or at least close to), so you are not spending hours in the car commuting. We have everything we need here.
I also love that the community is so supportive and that there are so many women doing awesome, amazing, and enviable things.
4. Woman (famous or not) you are most inspired by and why?
Hmmm, that is a tough one as I if I am honest, I am inspired daily by different women.
My mum, probably more than anyone has been my biggest inspiration. She left Ireland in the ’70s with my dad and two very young children and came to Australia not knowing anyone and set up her life here. Back in the day she could not just ring home when she was feeling lonely or unsure of her decision as we didn’t have a phone for ages, so she just had to get on with it. That’s so courageous and all for the sake of her kids having a better “warmer” life. I am not sure I could do that with my family now.
I am also inspired by my family, my close group of girlfriends, my team at work and my community, there are so many amazing people doing incredible, selfless things to make the world around them a better place. And yes, I have my list of fabulously famous people that I take inspiration from as well. Too many to list.
