Our centres
Hi everyone, I’m Helen Langtry 👋
I’m the Office Manager for Barnardos Southern NSW Children’s Family Centre covering Queanbeyan and Cooma Office as well as the Canberra Children’s Centre in ACT. I’ve been with Barnardos for six years, providing administrative and program support to our offices.
The most rewarding part of my role is seeing children and families overcome challenges and thrive, thanks to the incredible work of our team. Knowing that I’ve contributed, even in a small way makes it even more fulfilling.
Before moving into the community sector, I spent most of my career in the corporate world, specifically in container shipping. I worked for the largest shipping company in the world, based in Cape Town, South Africa. My last role was as a Customer Service Analyst, where I focused on providing insights to improve the customer experience.
I never had a clear idea of what I wanted to be growing up, but I somehow found my way into shipping and thoroughly enjoyed my time in the industry. Now, working in the community sector, I’ve found a career I truly love. It’s quite the opposite of shipping, yet in many ways, the business fundamentals are surprisingly similar.
While there have been many proud achievements (mostly admin and program related and not the most exciting!), the most enjoyable moments have been organising or supporting events for our families and children—like NAIDOC celebrations, Family Fun Days, the Queanbeyan Learning Centre Holiday Program and Christmas parties. The joy on the children’s faces during these events truly makes it all worthwhile.
Looking ahead, I’d love to contribute to initiatives that expand our reach, secure more resources and enhance staff well-being. Ultimately, my goal is to help the organisation grow and sustain its impact in the community.
I’m incredibly proud of our team and the amazing work they do to support our community. Their dedication, compassion and commitment to making a difference in the lives of children and families is truly inspiring. It’s a privilege to work alongside such a passionate group of people who create positive change every day.
