Brenda Baker

Brenda has lived and worked in the rural sector all her life, growing up on her family farm just outside the small town of Junee in NSW’s Riverina region. Brenda studied Nursing at Wagga University and was chosen to participate in an Agricultural Exchange program in Canada, giving her the opportunity to immerse herself in small farming communities and experience Canadian rural life. This led to a lifelong passion for Brenda, living, engaging and thriving in small rural communities.

In 1989, Brenda and her extended family moved to Coonabarabran, beside the mighty Warrumbungles mountain range, to start a new enterprise for their growing families. Brenda nursed in the small town of Baradine for ten years and learnt first-hand the struggles and joys of living in rural Australia. “Coona” has been the ideal place for Brenda and her husband to raise three beautiful children, all of which have now flown the coup to make new adventures of their own. Brenda has continued her studies in Counselling and is a Volunteer for Lifeline as a Crisis Support Worker.

As National Association for Loss and Grief’s ‘Our Shout’ Program Coordinator, supporting rural NSW communities, Brenda brings warmth and knowledge to the position, and a profound level of empathy for those making a living in rural Australia. Her role involves helping communities to hold events and gatherings that are meaningful for them, whilst encouraging positive strategies to enhance wellbeing and resilience throughout rural and regional NSW.