Cathy Kirwan is an explorer. She has lived a life of adventure and discovery including multiple career incarnations as a youth and community development worker, an artist, a cook, a camp counsellor, a writer and most recently a fundraiser. She is a firm believer in our shared humanity and is passionate about human rights. She very much hopes that her actions will make the world a better place. She loves to travel, cook, ride her bike, and is blessed to share her life with her partner of 13 years and two wonderful fur peeps.
1. How are you leading a life ‘doing what you love’?
Right now I’m working in a human rights organisation as the Manager of Individual and Corporate Giving. Australia is going through a complex political time, where our humanity is being called into question over the treatment of people seeking asylum in our country. The organisation I work for is focused on supporting asylum seekers who are living in absolute poverty and desperation and ensuring that they are able to survive whilst applying for protection. My role is all about creating opportunities for individuals and business to make a difference in the daily lives of people who are suffering.
2. What did you do before this?
I have had all sorts of jobs throughout the last 20 years, never quite finding the ‘thing’ that really seemed to fit. I originally trained to be a youth worker and most of my career has been in the not-for-profit space. About 5 years ago I took up painting and thought that I had found my true calling. Prior to this year I spent the last couple of years completely focused on developing my career as an artist.
3. What kind of discoveries about yourself have allowed you to realise your passion in life?
Last year I had an epiphany. I was working for myself, trying to making a living full time from my art. Over the course of a couple of months it dawned on me that I was completely miserable. I wasn’t making any real progress with my artistic business and I felt extremely isolated and uninspired. Not to mention that fact that I was broke. I knew that something was missing from my life.
Over the course of a couple of months I discovered a number of things about myself that ultimately led me to where I am now. The first thing I realised is that I need to feel like my actions make a difference. While I’m passionate about art and truly believe in it’s value to the world, the idea that my art was changing the world or making it a better place always felt a bit tenuous. It never quite sat with me. I always felt like there was something missing in terms of my contribution to the world. I knew in my gut that I was meant to be out there in the world working with others to make the world a better place, not sitting in my studio by myself making beautiful paintings.
The second thing I realised is that I hated not having a regular income. Some people seem to be ok with the financial lumps and bumps that come with being in business for yourself. It never worked for me and was actually a major cause of stress and subsequently a major barrier to feeling motivated and inspired.
4. How did you make it happen?
Around the same time I was realising these things about myself I attended a workshop facilitated by Jennifer McCrea of Exponential Fundraising https://jennifermccrea.com/. At the time I was doing some part-time work in fundraising just to pay the bills. Jennifer’s passion for fundraising and her conviction about it being a means to make the world a better place completely inspired me. The penny dropped. I understood that fundraising isn’t about money, it’s about connecting people and resources in order to achieve action or change. I realised that I had the perfect opportunity to use my skills in fundraising and relationship management to make a meaningful contribution. And I also realised that I had to find work that I felt passionate about and that would fulfil me. Not long after that I saw the position at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre advertised and that’s where I’m working now.
5. What was your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?
My biggest challenge was overcoming my personal sense of failure around my business. I invested a huge amount of time, energy, money and my heart and soul into establishing myself as an artist. My whole identity was tied to the idea of being a successful artist and making a living from my creative work. It was extremely difficult to walk away from. Even 6 months down the track I still haven’t completely found peace with letting go, despite the fact that I love where I work and what I’m doing. I think it’s just going to take time. And I’m still an artist too, even though I’m not trying to make a living from it. That’s something that I have to remind myself of as well.
6. Who is your role model and why?
I don’t have a particular role model but I am very fortunate to be surrounded by some amazing people who inspire me everyday. In my workplace there are so many people who work tirelessly to improve things for asylum seekers. I’m inspired by their tenacity and persistence in the face of a great deal of adversity.
In my personal life I’m really inspired by a handful of incredibly smart, hard-working women who have really helped me to see my own strengths and who are always there to encourage, listen and lift me up. I’d be lost without them.
I’m in awe of people who make great personal sacrifices to improve the lives of others. It’s something I think about a lot, but I’m not sure that I could go that far and give up my own life.
And I have absolutely respect and admiration for anyone who runs their own business (including our very own Beth) with passion, purpose and persistence, because I know exactly how much hard work it is.
7. What is the best advice you have received?
The best piece of advice I was ever given was many years ago. I was going through a rough time in my 20s and a friend’s mum said “in 12 months time your life will be completely different. These things that are worrying you now won’t even matter.” And it was true. Within 12 months my life was in a completely different place. Whenever things are crappy or I’m struggling with change I always remind myself of this. Nothing is forever.
8. What keeps you awake at night?
The thing that truly troubles me and keeps me awake at night is the lack of political leadership in Australia and the lack of integrity in the media. The combination of these two things is having a significant impact on our country at the moment and it concerns me deeply.
9. What gets you up in the morning?
Coffee!
10. Finally, what do you think is the key to discovery?
I think curiosity and a child-like fascination with the world are the keys to discovery. I’ve never stopped being curious and wanting to know ‘why’ and I owe most of my success and adventures in life to this. It’s also been a direct contributor to my current career as it’s my interest in people that makes me good at what I do.
If you would like to find out more about Cathy you can visit her website, or follow her on Flickr. If you would like to find out more about her current work and the work done by The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre you can go to their Facebook page.
