Faces of HEIA - Denise Cullen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denise brings a wealth of experience and passion to her roles as HEIA’s current Treasurer and Convenor of the Professional Development Standing Committee. With over 20 years of dedicated membership, she is now also at the helm of planning the 2027 national conference. Her leadership and commitment continue to shape the future of professional learning for our home economics community.

Can you tell us a little about your background and what brought you to the HEIA Council?

I have been working in education since 1998 in various roles, but mainly as a Home Economics teacher/Head of Learning Area, Technologies. What brought me to the HEIA Council was a desire to contribute to positive change on a larger scale to the home economics profession. I have long admired the Council's commitment to educate, advocate and inform. Joining the Council felt like a natural next step in my journey to support and empower the home economics community. Ultimately, my motivation comes from a belief in collaboration and the power of diverse voices working together to make home economics a profession of choice. I am excited to be part of a team that shares this vision and to contribute to the ongoing work of the HEIA Council.

What do you enjoy most about being part of the HEIA Council, and what is a recent highlight from your involvement?
What I enjoy most about being part of the HEIA Council is the sense of connection and shared purpose that comes from working alongside passionate, like-minded individuals. It’s inspiring to collaborate with others who are equally committed to advancing home economics and to see the real impact our efforts have across the community.

A recent highlight for me was being involved in developing our new website. Seeing members come together and utilising the website to its fullest. There are many more developments on the website to come. Assisting with the webinar program and witnessing firsthand the enthusiasm and engagement of participants was incredibly rewarding, and it reminded me of the vital role the Council plays in fostering growth and innovation within home economics.

How do you see your role on the Council contributing to HEIA’s goals and future?
As a Council member, I see my role as both a collaborator and an advocate, actively working to advance HEIA’s mission and vision for the future of home economics. By bringing my passion and unique perspective to the table, I help foster a culture of innovation, inclusion, and collective progress. I am committed to supporting initiatives that educate, empower, and connect our members, such as enhancing our website and developing engaging webinar programs. It is also my challenge to steer the development of the 2027 national conference in Sydney remotely from Perth. My aim is to make the journey to the 2027 conference one that the Academic and Host Committees will enjoy the process of bringing it all together, and also endeavouring to make the 2027 conference one that our members and non-members will remember for years to come.

I believe my efforts contribute to making home economics a profession of choice by strengthening our community and amplifying diverse voices. Collaborating with fellow Council members not only energises me but also ensures that our decisions and actions are informed by a wide range of experiences and insights and focus on our members. Through these shared endeavours, I aim to help shape a dynamic, forward-thinking future for HEIA—one that continues to inspire, educate, and advocate for our field at every opportunity.

What advice would you give to members looking to get more involved with HEIA’s committees or initiatives?
My advice to HEIA members who are interested in becoming more involved with HEIA’s committees or initiatives is to start by taking that first step—reach out, express your interest, and don’t be afraid to put your hand up for opportunities, big or small. The HEIA community thrives on collaboration, diverse perspectives, and the passion of its members, so every contribution, no matter the scale, is valuable and welcomed.

I encourage you to connect with current Committee of Management members to learn more about the different ways you can participate. Whether it’s assisting with special projects, joining a working group, or helping to organise events like conferences or workshops, there are always meaningful roles to suit a wide range of skills and interests. Don’t underestimate the impact you can have—even behind-the-scenes involvement helps shape the direction and success of our profession. Remember that involvement is a journey, not a destination. Start small and gradually take on more responsibility as your confidence grows. Celebrate your contributions, learn from the challenges, and enjoy the sense of connection and purpose that comes from working towards a shared vision.