Jacqueline McCallum, Business owner of Blue Budgie

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Resident of Yarraville, One powerful advocate for women

I was born in the small coastal town of George, South Africa. Growing up, I got into music and theatre and even studied musical theatre at uni. When I finished the three-year course, I was in a long distance relationship with an Aussie. I thought, “Let’s move over and see what happens!” I was 21 then.

The relationship didn’t work out but I decided to stay in Melbourne. I remember renting a tiny one bedroom flat in Prahran, with an old Russian man as a landlord. He would watch porn all day, with the door open. I used to have to warn my visiting friends to watch out for the stinky stairwell and some inappropriate content coming out of his flat! I loved that period of my life. I was single and had a ball. One day, at the age of 26, a girlfriend of mine told me “there’s this weird accountant with an offbeat sense of humour” and I should meet him. She was right!

I met my husband Lachlan that night. His parents are sheep farmers and you simply can’t get more Australian than that!

I launched my own communications consultancy last year. It’s called Blue Budgie Communications and covers copywriting, strategy and digital marketing. I work with businesses to build their brands through unique and engaging communication.

I chose ‘blue budgie’ because budgies are very social beings who love a chat, just like me! I also had a blue budgie when I was growing up. It flew away when I was cleaning the cage, but I digress! The colour blue reminds me of my sons who have beautiful blue eyes. It’s also the colour of the sky and has connotations of clarity which is essential for good communications. Lastly, it’s a little bit quirky because I have an aversion to boring.

I used to write for The Sunday Age as an opinion piece writer before print started dying a slow death. For the last five years, I’ve been writing for Mamamia, focusing on sponsored content. For example, if a company such as Foxtel wanted to promote their services, I’d write something called “Five signs you’re a complete TV addict”. I’ve written pieces on everything from immigration and fashion to deworming and snot!

My true passion though is writing health articles, particularly those that focus on children’s health, early childhood and parenting.

Having two young children myself, it’s great to draw off my personal experiences. It’s really therapeutic. When I was a stay at home mum, writing was the one thing I did for myself. Those early days with two kids under two were hard and writing kept me sane.

For three days a week, I have my financial safety net – an office job. As a communications advisor to a CEO in the government health sector, it’s hugely rewarding as I deal with a lot of disadvantaged communities. I love working for an organisation that is led by women as the CEO and the board chair are both female. We need more women represented on Australian boards.

I have always said, if I won the lotto, I would still live in the area. We bought our house in 2009, but since having kids I have identified a sense of solidarity with the most incredible group of mothers. As an immigrant finding my way in Melbourne, I was never able to find that sense of community until I moved into Yarraville. I feel this is home.

I am also part of a female entrepreneurial group called ‘She Will Shine’. Last year, I won a scholarship for women and small business owners living in Maribyrnong Council and now have the support from other women who are trying to build their businesses. It’s a village of women empowering women!

I just started reading a book called ‘Work, Strife, Balance’ which is all about how balance is bullshit. I relate to that book, as I’m trying to juggle an office job, my own business and being a good mum. I just go into survival mode sometimes and tell myself to do my best.

An interesting fact about me: I was the Port Elizabeth Dance Festival tap dance champion for many years in South Africa. I still love theatre and performing, but haven’t done it since having kids.

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