Q&A with Blairlogie CEO Carolyn Carr

Carolyn with Brett De Lany – one of the original clients that started at Blairlogie in 1987. Picture: SUPPLIED

Tell us a fun fact about yourself!

When I was young I won an effigy competition held for Guy Fawkes night.

The winner of the competition got to light the bonfire.

Unfortunately someone who was in charge of making sure the bonfire would light was a little heavy handed with the accelerant and the moment the match hit the bonfire it erupted in massive flames and I had to jump the safety fence to avoid being set on fire.

What do you love the most about your job?

I love so many things about my job, I am known for saying that I have the best job in the world, but what I love most about it is seeing the people we support experience and participate in things that they would not have been able to if they did not have the support of Blairlogie.

Two standouts would be seeing someone go on an aeroplane for the first time and seeing people move into their own homes after years of dreaming about having their own space.

If you were an animal, what animal would you be?

An eagle or a dolphin.

They both get to enjoy the world from a different perspective, they are both curious.

I would like the fearlessness of the eagle and the playful, protectiveness of the dolphin.

What was your most memorable moment?

Well apart from the bonfire lighting, it would be my 39th birthday party.

I had chefs from O.MY restaurant in Beaconsfield come to my house and prepare an eight course meal for six dinner guests.

It was like being in a fancy restaurant but in your own home.

It was an incredible evening.

O.MY is now a two-hatted restaurant and has won a host of awards.

What were you like as a kid?

My Mum tells me I was a bit of a mother hen, always wanting to look after people, but I was also pretty stubborn and strong willed – I fought a lot with my sister as a kid but now we are adults we are pretty close.

I loved school and I have always had an unquenchable love of learning and a curiosity that I think helps me in my role at Blairlogie.

What event, past or present, would you like to witness?

I would like to live in a world where people do not experience homelessness, where every person has access to safe and affordable housing.

Which six dinner guests, dead or alive, would you invite to dinner?

Louis Theroux, Bruce Springsteen, Barack and Michelle Obama, Urzila Carlson and Michael Parkinson.

What are you currently listening to/watching or reading?

I love listening to peoples stories so when I struggle to sleep I will put Conversations, a podcast from ABC.

Every episode is the story of a person who may or not be famous bot they are always amazing.

What three words would your friends use to describe you?

I think they would say I am determined, compassionate and a little unconventional.

Where is your happy place?

My happy place is not a specific location, it is linked to the company.

I am happiest when I am with like-minded people, my tribe, those that ‘get me’.

I am very lucky to have many such people in my life.

If you had to compete on MasterChef, what dish would you cook?

I think I would make creamy Tuscan prawn linguine – its delicious.

Where is your dream holiday destination?

Airlie Beach – I just love it.

The weather is fantastic and I love everything that the Whitsundays has to offer.