Michelle Kornberg
current role:
Coordinator of Caring Mums, Programs Manager at NCJWA Vic and a Private Counsellor.
I am currently the Coordinator of the Caring Mums Program. It’s a wonderful program powered by NCJWA Vic, supporting pregnant women and new mothers. I have been fortunate to have been with the program since its inception and run the training for new volunteers, promote the program to professionals in the perinatal sector, supervise our supervisors, perform the intakes of new mothers and whatever else needs doing! It has been amazing watching how fast the program has developed over the last 7 years. Thankfully I have a strong team working with me.
A little about me:
After working in education for over 20 years, both here and in the USA , at 40 years of age I decided to retrain as a counsellor. I have worked on Parentline, Crisis Support Services, Suicide Help Line and Men's Line Australia. I have also been a contract worker and associate counsellor for the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement. Today, I specialise in relationship counselling, parenting, and loss and grief. I currently have a small private practice and am Programs Manager and Coordinator of Caring Mums at NCJWA Vic.
How has your Jewishness impacted your career:
My father is a Holocaust Survivor. He has gone through so much loss yet has managed to live a full life. He has shown strength and resilience and this has influenced me in my path of wanting to support people to live meaningful, rich lives.
What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given:
Believe in yourself - change is made by taking small steps.
Small acts of kindness -often
What are your thoughts on failure:
No such thing as failure - you just haven’t found the right way yet
What motivates you:
Growth - seeing myself and others grow and step out of comfort zones - and witnessing their awakening to having done so. My late mother, however, is my biggest motivator. I can only try to follow her wonderful examples of acceptance, kindness and initiative.
When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up:
I had a huge list that kept on changing- except that being a teacher kept on recurring and I am very conscious that I am still a teacher and a learner and hope that I will always be this way
What is your definition of professional success:
Knowing that I am working hard but not realising it at the time because I am being so rejuvenated and buoyed by what I do and by the people I have met doing this!
Who or what inspires you?
Firstly, knowing that change can be made - one person can make a difference. Working with my amazing team of staff and volunteers - seeing their growth as they connect with new mothers and sharing in all the successes and challenges that this type of emotional work presents to us! Knowing that we are really making a difference to the mothers that we work with and their babies - the future generations!
What would be the title of your autobiography:
Who Would Have Known?