Rebel for good causes
WHEN you’re protesting outside Cathy O’Toole’s electorate office, the favoured catcall from passing motorists is: Get a job.
But former Greens candidate, Douglas resident and activist Jenny Brown reckons she gets “more positive toots” for her anti- live- export protests than her Amnesty vigils.
“People don’t understand that the only reason we are there at 8am is because we have to get to our jobs,” she said. “But in general people are OK.”
Jenny moved to Townsville from Geelong when she was 21.
She met her husband Mike through the Townsville Folk Club and the pair married and had two sons.
Jenny’s first job was in prawn processing but after graduating from James Cook University she spent most of her working life as a psychologist.
Mike was a geologist who lectured at the university.
The couple have a love of music and the outdoors, but it was during the John Howard era that they joined the Greens.
“We were so upset after the Tampa incident ... we thought we had to do something,” Jenny said.
Jenny is passionate about her role as co- convenor for the local Amnesty group, which is currently trying to protect human rights defenders working in dangerous countries.
She’s also heavily involved in Townsville Against Live Export. But she doesn’t plan to run in other elections anytime soon.
“We have some great young candidates and I think it’s time for the older people to let them have a go,” she said.
“I’d rather focus on other things like my yoga or foster caring for RSPCA kittens.”