Email from Gayle Cullinan! (permisson given to forward to blog)

Hi Rick- how are you, my friend?  Hope the reunion went well - i look forward to hearing about it. Also thank you for getting Robert in touch with me - that is great - although what a shame it came only as I'm leaving Aceh after long posting for new ventures - read on....now I might need the contact details for mark in new york....

 

Meanwhile, here is my latest news.....

 

My time in Aceh with the tsunami reovery posting just flew by and was remarkable life experience...fantastic!!

but I've got a fantastic new posting and so will be saying goodbye to Oz for a while.
I have been offered an opportunity simply too good to refuse – as global staff counsellor with UNICEF based at United Nations Staff Well Being Unit Headquarters in New York. 

I'm still can honestly say that I haven't done this by design, as much as serendipity and twists of fate, with hard work thrown in for good measure. I am sincerely passionate about my field of trauma and counselling, but I have also always dreamed of having a simple life - goodness knows how I end up with such full on career path. Now the UN for goodness sake - and a global position -Lordy, big stuff for a little ol' girl from country Toowoomba! Please indulge me the excitment as well as being a bit overwhelmed....

My new role will focus initially primarily on developing UN's global response to emergencies such as pandemics, terrorism and sudden outbreak of war (eg when staff have to be evacuated or remain in lockdown, including support for families left behind and helping staff continue to provide essential services during crises), for staff such as peacekeepers and core emergency staff. I will be traveling extensively – alas, not to the Caribbean as I would like….more like places where everyone is leaving instead of in the tourist brochures.

I will now be moving to New York, based at UN Headquarters. Please feel welcome to stay in touch. Hopefully our paths will cross again someday.

 

Email: gacullinan@hotmail.com

Aust ph: 0431801892

Until we meet again,
Gayle CULLINAN