Christine is also an Associate Member of the Australian Association of Social Workers having gained a Social Work degree and later working with the Department of Community Development as a Field Officer in Case Management; the Department of Corrective Services as a Case Support Officer; an Allied Health Assistant, Aged Care Assistant, Special Education Support Aid, Child Care Worker and Occupational Therapy Assistant. She is also a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society which recognises students who have excelled academically. Christine feels passionate about supporting efforts to preserve the natural environment, observing indigenous sensitivities in practice and community health in general.

On a sunny afternoon you may find Christine Willmott, a member of the Geographe Catchment Council exploring and enjoying the features of the bay by kayak, lapping up some well deserved time off. Christine has been a part of the local community for the past twelve years, and currently lives with her husband on 100 acres in Ambergate running beef cattle and also working part time on a local dairy.

When asked about her favourite features of the Geographe catchment, Christine explained that she enjoys ‘the bay and the beach’, as well as ‘kayaking in the Blackwood River and in the Bay, and would love to try the Capel River sometime’ But she especially enjoys ‘the tranquil lifestyle that the area has to offer and being able to live away from the hustle and bustle of the city.’

Although she did not grow up in the area, her husband and his family have been in the locals of the area for many years. She explained how she would like her own grandchildren to ‘be able to experience the natural area the way their parents and grandparents did, swimming in the river and fishing off the jetty.’

Over the years Christine has been involved in a number of interesting ventures which definitely complement each other, and provide fascinating topics for discussion. Some of her more influential endeavours have included a mining exploration business, social work and running a beef farm.

Christine and her husband Bill have been running their mining exploration business for the more than twenty years. The environmentally focussed business includes ‘approaching the Aboriginal community within the area the mining company would like to drill, then taking up to eight elders out to the sites to see if there are any sacred sites. These areas are then sectioned off and not drilled.’ She believes ‘that by doing this work the mining companies and the aboriginal communities have a better relationship.’ This work has also been complemented by the completion of studies in social work, including practical studies with remote Aboriginal communities, that has definitely benefited her work.

But it isn’t all about work when Christine is out on site, her passion for understanding the Aboriginal culture goes much further. During her site visits she also ‘loves learning about the stories of the area from the elders’ and getting involved with the communities. If she had more time Christine ‘would like to volunteer to work with Aboriginal people’ and increase her own understanding of their culture even further.

Christine sees her role as a GeoCatch member a way to be a proactive part of the local community, and hopes to bring her own influence in some way. She ‘would like to involve the local indigenous communities with GeoCatch more, and believes that ‘GeoCatch plays an important role within the community’ and also thinks that ‘the community should be more involved within it.’

Christine believes that the Bay Ok is a way for the community to become more involved with GeoCatch, with the program a way of showcasing ‘all the good things that GeoCatch stands for, and is a way of appealing to the community in different ways.’

After speaking with Christine it is clear that she has a strong passion and connection with the Geographe catchment and ‘hopes to be able to pass on her own knowledge to others, and be able to provide a bright outlook for the future of the area.’