Cheryl Middleton

I have lived at Bellbrae for 39-plus years, my three boys all attended Bellbrae Primary School and we have been part of that community.

I started work with Surf Coast Shire Council in the aged and disability area in 2006 and finished when my program closed in 2019.

Basically in 2022 my life changed in a dramatic way with a motor vehicle accident in Bellbrae, which took a great toll on me and others, so I stopped working from then on, apart from a small stint with another employer in the disability sector.

After recovering I wanted to get back to being active in the community and endeavoured to seek out activities to see how I would cope.

I took on volunteering with the likes of Feed Me Surf Coast and then started with a group called Women’s Shed, which has been lovely and very beneficial.

I am also a member of Torquay Women’s Probus, and it has been excellent – now part of the criteria of my life!

I started with Council’s Disability Advisory Committee three years ago, and it has been really beneficial for me in accessing back into the community as well as playing a role advocating for different sectors in our community.