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My name is Makeeta Stubbings. I am a proud Aboriginal woman.
I became a member of NCOSS as a Lived Experience Advocacy panellist in 2023.
I grew up in a struggle and a toxic family lifestyle, which to me was a normal way of living. I am a single mother of 5 children.
I was in a toxic relationship for 23 years, until I begin volunteering at Willmot Local Community Hub, where I began to notice the difference in the dynamic of the relationships around me.
I also took part in a trauma-informed practice training, where I ended up in tears realising that due to what I knew as a normal lifestyle was actually not normal and it was toxic as hell, then I realised I had done the same thing to my children. That was the day I decided enough was enough and I had to make massive changes in my life for my children and myself.
That was the day I began to change my family history and become a cycle breaker, which to be honest, has not been an easy thing to do, but as I’m so passionate about it I keep riding the roller coaster of breaking cycles, as the up and downs are all part of my journey.
If I decide to give up, it means deciding to give up on my children, and anyone who knows me knows that is something I will never do as my five beautiful children are my life and are the reason I am living today.
I studied for a Diploma of Community service and worked in community engagement for Baptist Care. I helped with community breakfasts at Wilmot Community Hub, school holiday programs, kids’ days, doing coffee engagements at two or three local schools in Mount Druitt, doing lots of things.
I know what it’s like to be turned away from a service and be let down, and your family fall apart due to being burnt and someone not listening. Sometimes what you need is that one person to listen and give you that advice and it’s up to you to run a mile with it.
[Makeeta Stubbing is part of the NCOSS Lived Experience Advisory Panel. Read the NCOSS Lived Experience Framework here.]