Wendy Francis Interview

Welcome to my FIRST  FunMum interview. 

Sometimes you meet a blow-your-socks-off person; Wendy Francis is one of them.  As we sat on a table top with our leg swinging, I wondered how the trendy woman achieved so much.  Her achievements are many but being a wife, mother to three and grandmother to eight are her highest priority.

Wendy’s professional background is in marketing and management with the Griffith University.  On a community level, she’s on the board and directors of Samaritans Purse, part of the family council of Queensland and the executive producer of the highly popular televised event, Carols in the City.  Wendy’s community focus continues as she provides English classes and organises lunch time concerts at the City Tabernacle Baptist Church.  Wendy’s vibrancy and determination allows her to accomplish many wonderful things; however, it’s her passion for all things family that shines through as she talks.

Wendy’s zeal for family has led her to accept the nomination to run for a Queensland senate position with Family First.  This venture will see her supporting families on a national level.  The current economic and societal environment is causing struggles for many families; from financial strain to battling outward pressures on the family unit.  In unstable times, a person with a clear vision is a priceless gem.  Wendy Francis is a diamond.

Interview

What is your best FunMum tip?

Think like a child.

What is your favourite fashion accessory?

A woman can never have too many shoes or earrings.

Name a embarrassing mother-mother?

When my eldest daughter and I stepped into a lift with a man who had an unusual neck and my daughter proceeded to comment on this fact – in a very loud voice.

Name a proud mother-moment?

When my children admitted to doing something wrong without being prompted.

How do you find the work/family balance?

Getting a balance in our priorities in life is always a challenge, but I often think to myself, at the end of my life, will I wish I had spent more time behind a computer at work or with my children? Obviously we need to work to provide for our children so it’s important, but not THE most important thing. I work hard and play hard too.

In your opinion, what’s the greatest issue facing Australian mothers today?

The greatest issue facing Australian mothers is external pressures from society; societal influences that attack the family unit.

Fighting for family values, and a child’s right not to be bombarded with inappropriate advertising, is crucial.  I have a real problem with billboards, which unlike television, cannot be ‘switched off’ and expose children to all sorts of inappropriate material.  We need to become ‘wowsers’ to censorship.

What do you hope to achieve if you are elected to the senate?

I will examine the legislation in relation to how it will affect families. 

Are some Australians left out?

No. Every person is part of a family: pensions, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and children; everyone is part of a family. 

Follow Wendy

Website:        http://www.qld-familyfirst.org.au and http://www.carolsinthecity.com.au

Twitter:         wendy4senate

Facebook:      Family First Party Queensland