Kate Barrelle

As a clinical and forensic psychologist, Kate has always been passionate about people. She likes to understand why people behave the way they do, and especially how they deal with what life throws at them. She designed the social support program that is core to STREAT and the wellbeing of the young people who come through its program. She co-founded STREAT in 2008 with Bec, specifically bringing her psychology skills to the development of STREAT’s social support program.

Why do you work for STREAT?

The thing I really like about STREAT is that it’s about all of us. We’re all connected and if there’s a group of people out there doing it tough then it should bother us. I’ve travelled enough to see just how bad things can get if a critical mass of people, especially young people, are disconnected and disenfranchised from the benefits of mainstream society that most of us take for granted. We shouldn’t be leaving people behind, especially young people. It’s mean and it’s not right. And it doesn’t have to be that way. We need to improve things for everyone – access to safe housing, food, health, education, a job, and to feel like you belong. STREAT is about giving young people a bridge between where they are and where they want to be.

If STREAT’s youth could just go out and get a qualification or a job they would. There are reasons why it’s hard for them to do this. So if STREAT is serious about giving homeless and disadvantaged young people a chance to get skills and work experience, then we need to support them to manage the difficult parts of their life too. STREAT’s support program aims to do just that.

What is your most memorable meal?

Osaka, Japan, 1994. I had travelled there alone to give a presentation at a conference, and was way out of my depth professionally and culturally, but pretending to be cool with that. My luggage had gone to Chicago instead so I was like a scruffy kid in a sea of professional suits. When I finished giving my lecture I went for a long walk to chill out, but got asked by a policeman to accompany him. That was all I needed! As it turned out it was to go to his English class. They had been asked to bring an English magazine or book, and he took me instead! The class was excited and invited me to join them for a special meal. We wound through narrow unnamed alleyways, then navigated a series of doorways and courtyards fit for a Harry Potter scene, to arrive in a tiny crammed eating space, an oasis of unidentifiable but intriguing sights and smells. Everything was foreign, especially me. I don’t know the names or the origins of what I ate, but it was like nothing I’ve had before or since. This was the best and most memorable meal I’ve ever had. The atmosphere was part of it, the new food sensations were part of it, but it was definitely glued together by the frisson of having to trust new people in an uncertain situation.

What are your personal interests outside STREAT?

Whilst I like reading a lot, I’ve done very little reading for pleasure since having Will, who is two now. Anyone with kids knows you have no discretionary time anymore, especially when they are little. And with my PhD there is always a massive pile of research reading waiting for me. My office shelves are packed with light titles like ‘Right wing violence explained’, ‘The age of eco extremism’, and ‘Religious fundamentalism’. I do like gardening, but since we moved to Melbourne we’ve done very little because we left behind our huge Canberra veggie patch, and now we have a small courtyard. And it doesn’t help that we’ve been flat out (with STREAT and my research) since arriving down here. Also working against the gardening is the fact that Melbourne is an excellent city so every spare moment is spent exploring and embracing it as our new home.

Luckily we like cooking because it’s been a bit of a challenge to adapt even the most simple meals for Bec’s allergies. We always have people around to eat at our place – it feels like home with a rumble of friends and kids and food about. What else? I like sport – playing and watching it, especially live matches. But now I’m slower and don’t recover like I used to, so it’s very recreational.

Most of all I just like hanging out with Bec and Will.

What are your life’s highs and lows?

I’ve had a good life. I’ve been lucky –strongly grounded in family – parents and brothers who I adore. And for me, everything has built from there. I’ve met incredible people, done some cool things and travelled to some amazing places. But all that pales into insignificance since we had Will. I won’t go on too much about it, words don’t really do it justice anyway. I’ll just say parenting is the hardest but the best thing I’ve ever done – and is a constant work in progress.

Lows?

Sounds silly maybe, but I still get really sad when I think about my Nan who died years and years ago. And my dog Jess who died last year. They were both so good at being who they were; and I loved them a lot.

When you’re walking down the street, you like to…..

See the world the way Will does. He goes at such a good pace, is interested in the strangest and smallest things. He says hello to every person, dog and truck we pass. I always notice someone or something different on the way back from the park with him.

What's a quote that you like to live by?

"The end result of kindness is that it draws people to you."

Our good friend Dawn has this on her email signature, and I really like it. It reminds me of her, and comes from another strong woman, Anita Roddick, who set up the Body Shop and ran a seriously ethical business.