Meet the ADA DHF team: National manager Claire Rawlinson

The ADA Dental Health Foundation (ADA DHF) seeks to improve the dental health of all Australians who cannot easily access or afford dental care. To do this, it coordinates the delivery of essential dental treatment to disadvantaged members of the community through well-established volunteer programs.

Find out more about the ADA DHF

1.    How long have you been with ADA Dental Health Foundation? 

It will be my 4th anniversary on 3rd December. Initially employed by ADANSW as the NSW State coordinator of Australian Dental Health Foundation.  I was proud to be offered the ADA DHF National Manager role which I moved to over a year ago. 
 

2.    What do you find most rewarding about being a Coordinator? 

As a coordinator it was the joy on patients faces when they attended the clinics at ADANSW, Having that connection with the people that we assist was a special experience. As National Manager I know that our coordinators are doing that very work well and although I don’t see it firsthand now, I love seeing and hearing the stories that come through social media about the fabulous work that is being carried out in each state by the volunteers. 
 

3.    What is your favourite activity to do at Christmas time? 

Can eating be called an activity 😊 If so, then cooking and enjoying our Christmas lunch which I cater for friends and family each year. 
 

4.    Any special Christmas traditions you do each year with friends and family? 

Each year our family watch the same Christmas movies, these movie nights start at the beginning of December and we watch a movie each weekend until Christmas.
 

5.    What is something you recently learned? 

Watching the movie Killers of the Flower Moon, directed by Martin Scorsese, was a revelation - I learned about the Osage Nation and in particular the horrific murders of the Osage Native Americans in the 1920s.

6.    What is your favourite movie? 

There are too many to mentions but three that pop to mind are : Gladiators directed by Ridley Scott. It’s a Wonderful Life directed by Frank Capra and A Star is Born directed by Bradley Cooper. 
 

7.    Favourite food? 

Fresh food – I love nothing more than a really fresh salad with a zingy dressing. And cake😊 

8.    Do you collect anything? 

Not really .. I used to collect stamps and buttons when I was a little girl.
 

9.    Favourite place to travel to? 

Presently my favourite place to travel to is to my hometown to see my dad.
 

10.    What fact about you might surprise people? 

I love doing endurance events. I have done Oxfam Trail walker 100Km three times. I’ve also done 180 Km Cycling events to raise money for charity, twice. I ran Brighton Marathon in the UK and many half marathons both here and in the UK and since being in Australia several Coastrek events in both Sydney and Melbourne.