Ms. Julie Nuñez was featured in a recent issue of the Blacktown Sun Newspaper as one of the latest awardees of the Order of Australia Medal (OAM).
Her résumé indicates that Ms. Nuñez has two master’s degrees and a doctorate in education. Notwithstanding her scholastic achievements, she has reportedly found difficulty in finding a job when she arrived in Australia sometime in the mid 80s. She said that her job application was often rejected because of her lack of local experience. Her usual retort was: “How can I gain local experience if you would not hire me?”
Undaunted by many unsuccessful attempts, this feisty woman from Woodcroft NSW finally landed a job at the Department of Education after lodging a complaint with the Anti-Discrimination Board. That happened eight months after she arrived in Sydney.
Prior to her Order of Australia Medal, Julie has received numerous awards, among them is the “International Woman of the Year” bestowed by Blacktown Council.
She is reported to have developed a management plan for newly-arrived migrants. The plan is now part of the strategy being used by the Philippine Australian Community Services Inc. (PACSI) where she has sat as a volunteer worker and president for over four years.
At present, Ms. Nuñez works at the Department of Housing in Blacktown and is also treasurer of the Philippine Health Care Association of Australia (PHCAA) and Philippine Nurses Association Australia (PNAA).
She sits as director of Ateneo Alumni Association of Australia having obtained her bachelor’s degree from Ateneo de Zamboanga.