#WeAreNorthern

Meet Henni Wade, Manager – Volunteer Services, Northern Health.

Q. Can I start with your coffee order please?
I start my day with two coffees of any variety, that keeps me going for the day!

Q. How long have you been with Northern Health?
This is my 7th year with Northern Health.

Q. Can you tell us a bit about your career?
My career began in education, which naturally transitioned into community engagement roles.

Q. Why did you switch from a career as a teacher to one focused on engagement roles?
Kids changed my career path. Once they came along, I found myself actively involved in local community groups and clubs. Staying at home became monotonous, and I needed to keep busy. I enjoyed being active and involved, which led to voluntary engagement with local community groups and clubs. This, in turn, opened doors to project roles within local council and healthcare. My career mirrors my interest in real estate—I love to build, reimagine, and remodel. I thrive on creating and being part of change.

Q. What is something that not many people know about you?
Twenty years ago, I was a golf caddy in Japan. Having studied Japanese in school, I wanted to immerse myself in the culture, so I signed up as a golf caddy. Despite knowing nothing about golf, I was eager to explore Japan and improve my Japanese. I quickly discovered that textbook Japanese was quite different from the real thing! The language barrier was a shock, and I struggled to understand native speakers. I regret not maintaining my language skills. When I retire, I might take up language studies again—and perhaps even golf!

Q. What do you love most about your role as Manager of Volunteer Services at Northern Health?
I love my job because I work with people who genuinely enjoy what they do. It’s a privilege to work alongside our volunteers and fellow volunteer coordinators, supporting the various departments of Northern Health. Our volunteers come from all walks of life, bringing a wealth of experience, empathy, kindness, and intuition. They form a close-knit team, much like a big family, offering immense support to one another during tough times. I also collaborate closely with the Foundation team, who are lots of fun. I particularly enjoy helping to coordinate events.

Q. What is next for you?
I love to travel, and we’re planning a road trip around Australia. When our kids were in primary school, we took them out of school for three months for a road trip. They may not remember their Christmas presents from those years, but they do recall many experiences from our adventures on the road. This time, our trip will be without kids, promising a completely different experience. I cherish the outback, the bush, and a campfire. The simple things in life are the best.

Q. Any final thoughts?
Have no regrets. Live life to the fullest. Money isn’t everything—life experiences are!