"This is not a venue or an organisation — it is a space for connection and belonging. You don't have to fit in to be part of it. You just need to show up." - Brenda on the Little BIG House
YOUR STORY
My name is…
Brenda — and you might know me from the community garden.
By day (or night), I…
Work in supply chain leadership in the medical device industry, passionate about growing and coaching teams, collaborating smarter and moving from reactive to proactive. By night, I'm usually training for my next race — or just running to de-stress.
How I first stumbled into the Little BIG House…
The first time I walked through the building was to visit the Flour Mill showroom. I was living at Meadowbank and wanted to move somewhere with more light and a community feel. I heard the space would be transformed once the development was done and quietly waited for that to happen. My real return was attending Wei Yee's yoga class — I'd already met her at a getting-to-know-your-neighbours picnic at Harvest Park. I'd been practising yoga before I moved to Summer Hill and was looking for somewhere close by to continue. It was perfect timing.
The thing that made me stay…
It's welcoming. There are always events on, people around — it makes the space feel alive and used meaningfully.
My involvement with the Little BIG House over the years…
Both as a participant across different events and now, excitedly, stepping into the induction lead role to help shape how others begin their journey here.
COMMUNITY & PLACE
A moment or place in Summer Hill that has stuck with me…
A particular route home. Turning off Hume Highway onto Carlton Crescent and then Lackey Street — the newsagent, the Thai restaurant, the Italian place with its tables and chairs set up for the day, the fairy lights at the fountain. Whenever I turned into that street, I felt I was home before I was physically there. I've taken friends that way too: "Take this route — it's a nice drive through the village."
If I had to describe Summer Hill to someone who'd never been…
It's a small suburb but packed full of cafes and shops — you don't need to leave. And everyone seems to be a familiar face.
Something I wish more people knew about the Little BIG House…
It's not a venue or an organisation — it's a space for connection and belonging. You don't have to fit in to be part of it. You just need to show up.
This community is special to me because…
There's a quiet willingness here — people show up, support each other, and genuinely care about the neighbourhood.
My favourite thing about the Little BIG House…
The way it lowers barriers. It makes it easy to connect, volunteer, learn and contribute — without ego.
THE PERSON BEHIND THE ROLE
I decided to put my hand up for the Leadership Committee because…
I've benefited so much from the connections I've made here, particularly over the last two years through some major life changes. I wanted to give back. I've volunteered for close to ten years in animal rescue and felt confident I could translate that into a different space.
The skill or perspective I'm hoping to bring…
A systems mindset with a human heart. Purpose matters deeply to me and I bring that energy into everything — making sure every new volunteer feels welcomed, confident and aligned.
I've been a Summer Hill local since…
2019 — when I moved to an apartment here. Though I was an unofficial local before that; a close friend used to live in Summer Hill and I'd bring my foster cat to Summer Hill Village Vet for check-ups.
You'll most likely find me on a weekend…
Catching up with friends over coffee or doing my run along the Greenway.
I'm most grateful for…
The people in my life who value honesty, courage and connection.
I hope this iteration of the Leadership Committee will…
Continue the momentum the previous committee built and strengthen the sense of belonging for everyone who walks through the door.
The Little BIG House in one word…
Connection.