Mary Philip

Mary Philip, the coordinator of Young Parents Program, believes that social workers need "a well-defined framework for practice, a world view, an interest in politics and a capacity to think critically."

Mary began her working career as a primary school teacher, but felt that she "had moved away from the classroom." So, at 34 years of age and with five children, Mary returned to tertiary studies to begin her development of social work knowledge."I threw myself totally into my studies as mature age students often do, to the chagrin of younger students."

I found the early social work subjects non-stimulating however, in third year, social work really picked up (especially) during second semester. I was exposed to critical theories of Marxism and Feminism which excited and generated huge energy in me for transforming the world and all the oppression and misery within it," she said.

Mary's fourth year placement was at Centrelink and in 1989 when she graduated, Mary gained a position at Centrelink as a Professional Officer Class 1."I loved being part of what I thought was a transforming process in working with people who were either angry or scared. I wanted to validate people's anger, help them to direct it in positive ways. I wanted to ally people's fears about the intimidating processes of ensuring income security. I wanted to change the system whereby people on social security were treated punitively rather than justly," she said.

In 1994 Mary applied and 'won' her current role of coordinator of Young Parents Program, a "program (that) supports young pregnant and parenting women who are homeless or at risk of homelessness," she said.


When asked what motivates or "keeps her going" Mary said: "It is the relationships between workers, the courage of clients and the fact that we all have so much in common in the journey of life."

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