Alison McLaren

Alison McLaren

I am a life long resident of Winmalee in the Blue Mountains. I attended Winmalee Primary and High Schools and graduated from the University of Technology, Sydney with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications (Social Inquiry) and in International Studies in 2003. As part of my degree I studied Spanish language and culture at the University of Salamanca in Spain. During my studies I worked as an Information Analyst for Access Communications. I was elected as the youngest ever councillor to Blue Mountains City Council in 2004. I joined the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC) Board in 2004 and was elected Junior Vice President and Housing spokesperson in 2007. I was elected as President of WSROC in October 2008. I am currently the Co-Chair of the Leaders Forum for the Centre for Health Innovation and Partnership and I am on the Board of the Blue Mountains Division of General Practice. I was a member of the Blue Mountains and Nepean Homelessness Advisory Committee in 2009/10. I am currently employed as the Manager for Remote Indigenous Housing for the NSW Aboriginal Housing Office and I am completing my Masters Degree in International Relations. From 2003 until October 2008, I worked as a Policy Advisor to the NSW Government. I have worked in areas of social policy including health, community services, disability and ageing, women, youth, fair trading, Aboriginal affairs and juvenile justice. I am a Queens Scout and I am actively involved with my local sporting groups. I currently coaches the Under 9 Woodangels and umpire and play netball for Springwood Netball Club.