Michele Smith

Michele was born at Parkes in the heart of the Central West, hometown to  
both her parents. She moved to Wollongong on the South Coast when she was  
four years old.  Michele grew up in the Illawarra in the small town of  
Thirroul.  After completing her schooling she had a gap year in which she  
completed a business course and travelled to New Zealand where she  
worked in the hospitality industry before returning to pursue a  
career in primary school teaching.
 
Michele attended Goulburn College of Advanced Education (now the NSW Police  
Academy) where she studied for a Diploma of Teaching. Before completing  
her diploma she was chosen to participate in a  
student exchange program through the CAE to study for a summer  
session at the University of Uppsala, Sweden. Michele then returned to the  
Illawarra where she worked in schools as a casual teacher.
 
Michele met her husband Peter during this time and went to Sydney to  
live with his family. She then embarked on a new career path and entered the  
banking system with the then CBC now the National Australia Bank.  
After marrying Michele and Peter moved to Nowra to live on the property they had  
purchased at Woollamia. Michele transferred within the bank to Nowra Branch  
and Peter set up his plumbing business, Pete Smith Plumbing Service  
which has been successfully servicing the Nowra, Bay and Basin area  
for 25 years.
 
After the birth of their first child Michele retired from banking and  
returned to teaching. She has taught casually at all schools in the  
Bay and Basin Community of Schools in a variety of relieving  
positions from job sharing, to class teacher and executive positions,  
finally being appointed a full time position at Tomerong Public School.
 
As our children grew we found ourselves supporting their sporting  
pursuits by sitting on many club committees and holding executive  
positions in Soccer, Scouts, Little Athletics, Physical Culture,  
Ballet and Pony Club.  Our children are now young adults pursuing  
their own careers so I was grateful to accept the invitation to join  
the Management Committee of Bay & Basin Community Resources this  
year. I am currently sitting on The Board as a committee member  
finding it challenging and rewarding as I become aware of the  
outstanding talent and commitment of all involved with BBCRI.