Lauren Thornton (NT)

I live in Wagait Beach in the Northern Territory. It’s a quiet, beautiful pocket of the Top End that immediately felt like home. My partner and I were lucky enough to find a little shack on the beach, surrounded by tropical fruit trees, frangipanis and with barra on our back door. Life here is peaceful but still connected. It’s a short ferry ride to Darwin, yet far enough away to have our toys (boat and buggies), space to garden, and a small and caring community. It’s a good balance for me.

I joined APEN after stepping into my role as Extension Officer for the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation in the Northern Territory. My workplace encouraged me to get involved, and it quickly made sense. I want to continue to grow as a strong extension practitioner, and value learning from others who are already doing it well. APEN offers a network, professional development, and a place to connect with people who genuinely care about good extension practice and positive change.

Picking three core values is a pretty tricky task and they probably shift day to day but, generally speaking, I value kindness, simplicity, and curiosity. I value kindness and bringing a bit of warmth and generosity into interactions and surrounding myself with people who do the same. Simplicity is about focusing on what actually matters, and appreciating the easy, good and fun, parts of life. Valuing curiosity is being interested in people and their stories, understanding their drivers and respecting the different perspectives.