Core values at heart

From farm to fashion

When asked about her childhood, Elizabeth Cox laughs.

“That was a long time ago now!”

Elizabeth grew up on a farm near Goondiwindi and undertook long-distance education with the School of the Air for her first two years of schooling. The challenges of not being immersed in an environment with other children were overcome by her academic strengths; she loved her school years.

In the 1970s, Elizabeth dreamed of being a Fashion Designer. She didn’t have the skills or the prerequisites to pursue this career immediately, but she refused to give up on her dream. She took on a retail job to pay her way through a course and studied after hours. Elizabeth worked as a self-employed dressmaker for many years, until a life change forced her to rethink her career path.

Intrinsic value

Divorce affects people in many different ways. When Elizabeth’s marriage ended, the period that followed inspired her to reinvent herself, and to renew her involvement with her faith. Ultimately, it meant re-engaging with the core values that her upbringing had fostered.

“I have a strong sense of social justice – particularly for people in society who others might look down upon. My core belief is that every person, just by their nature of being human, has incredible intrinsic value.”

Reflecting on what mattered most spurred Elizabeth to go back to university. In her mid-50s she embarked on a new career as a counsellor. After graduating, she landed a job at Lives Lived Well, and worked here for a decade.

It’s hard to describe what was an average day for Elizabeth. She saw between four and six clients, depending on how busy it was. “And it was usually busy,” she says with a smile.

“I loved the clients. They’re were a bit of a motley crew at times,” she shares with a fond chuckle. “But they were lovely. It was a privilege to work with them.”

When asked what inspired her to work in this field, she pauses to reflect.

“I think it was a culmination of experiences. There were some people very dear to me who struggled with alcohol, so I have some first-hand knowledge of what that life can be like. I know how difficult it can be to access and accept help. I could see that intrinsic value in those people in my own life. And I wanted to help them. I enjoyed being able to apply that same idea to my clients. It all comes back to that core belief.”

Elizabeth is clearly a realist, and she makes no bones about the challenges of the role:

“It wasn’t easy work. It tests your character and your perseverance. It will also test your beliefs about yourself. But despite everything, it was ultimately so rewarding.”

A new chapter

Looking to the future, Elizabeth says she’s so excited that she’s been able to retire to spend more time with her family… and to do some wandering.

“I’m enjoying spending time with my grandkids, of course. But my husband and I also want to travel around Australia. We’ll be grey nomads – although I’m not quite grey enough yet! I’m also enjoying to reconnecting with my creative self and reading more books!”

After so many years of faithfully serving the community with Lives Lived Well, Elizabeth will leave behind a powerful legacy, and very big shoes to fill.