Claire was born in Diamond Creek and spent her childhood on a 20‑acre hobby farm in St Andrews before her family moved to Mallacoota in Victoria’s far east. After completing bachelor’s degrees in education, she spent 18 years teaching English language and literacy to newly arrived refugees and immigrants across Melbourne’s western suburbs. In 2019, Claire moved to Mildura to take up the role of Assistant Principal at the Mildura English Language Centre, supporting multicultural communities through education and settlement.
After moving to Mildura, Claire discovered historical family connections to the Mildura and Wentworth region from the early 1900s, deepening her personal attachment to the area. She has continued her work in the community sector and taken on leadership roles, including President of the Mildura Film Society and serving on the SMECC Board.
Claire joined the Collaborative Governance Group driven by her passion for community justice and her belief that systems should work for the people they are intended to serve. She brings valuable experience in education and multicultural engagement, along with the ability to translate services and systems into practical support for the community.