Home: Longueville, New South Wales. Age: Forever young. Birthplace: London, England. Profession: Barrister at Law, mediator, arbitrator. Organization: 8 Garfield Barwick Chambers; Mediate3 Pty Ltd. Significant other: Matthew Breeze, husband to the stars. Alma mater: University of Sydney; University College London. Languages spoken: English and conversational French.
Current project: Launch of Mediate3 Pty Ltd., a cohesive full-service mediation offering, designed to provide swift expert pathways to dispute resolution. Recent recognition: From a colleague who instructs me: “Thank you for your detailed analysis of the case. Outstanding advocacy and analysis throughout.” Recent professional development: Seminar on the utility of using AI in the law. Latest accomplishment: Securing a costs award at first instance for my client for a significant sum, in a jurisdiction which legislates that ordinarily each party bear their own costs irrespective of outcome. Latest contribution to others: Sponsorship of the NSW Women Lawyers Association Regional Lawyer of the Year Award. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? From employed litigation solicitor to barrister. Hobbies: Classical music (violin), history (all), tennis, dance, snow sports. Recent travel or adventure: My October 2022 visit to West Point U.S. Army Garrison watching my Australian son compete in the NEC Division 1 conference in tennis. Last book read: The Dictionary of Lost Words, by Pip Williams. Recently viewed and recommended: Das Boot. Recent unique acquisition: Original Aboriginal artwork “Wild and Free” by Belinda Nadwie.
Personality profile: Witty, decisive, intelligent, caring, with an exuberant enjoyment of life. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Perfectionist. Moral compass: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. How do you define a perfect friendship? The kind where a wealth of distance and time vanish in the first three seconds of instant laughter, camaraderie and a meeting of the minds. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Excellent communication, a solidarity in purpose and the constancy of being true to promises. What is your greatest joy? Loving my children, my stepchildren, my husband and my family. What is your greatest fear? That sorrow will visit a person I love and that I will be unable to mend it. What is your guilty pleasure? Reading fiction laying on my stomach on a cosy carpet in the sunshine. What word or phrase do you use far too often? Yada yada yada. What natural talent have you neglected? My career as a stage singer. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Surgeons and musicians.
What three emojis best describe you? ❤️. ❤️. ❤️.
What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Real estate. What is at the top of your bucket list? To see my five children succeed. And then, to travel to every corner of the globe, meet as many people as possible and hear their stories. How do you relieve stress? Sweaty, heart pounding, lung gasping, limb shaking exercise. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Adventure.
What was your first paying job? Tennis coach. What was your favorite college course? Equity, with The Honourable Mr. Justice Roderick Pitt Meagher. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? Riding my stockhorse mustering Hereford x Angus cattle on my parent’s station in the Bylong Valley New South Wales. What book have you repeatedly read? The Maestro Myth: Great Conductors in Pursuit of Power, by Norman Lebrecht. What movie have you repeatedly watched? Charlotte Gray. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? Pictures of my children interspersed with gorgeous artwork that is neither important nor valuable, but which gives me enormous pleasure. Who has had the greatest influence on your life? My father, Emeritus Professor George Patrick Bridger. What’s the best advice you received growing up? From my father: Hard work leads to contentment. Contentment leads to true happiness. There is no short cut to true happiness. You have to do the hard work. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Quantum potes tantum aude (so much as you can do, so much dare to do. Coupled with, nil illegitimi carborundum (don’t let the bastards grind you down). What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? My mobile phone remains modern and innovative to me. What is your favorite app? Either BBC News or My Fitness Tracker. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? Books about history and philosophy. What company or organization do you most admire? Chatham House. What world event has had the greatest influence on your life? World War II.
What is your big idea? Maximizing global leisure time to improve humanity. I’m still working on it. What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? Keeping Australia’s children out of the justice system. What change would you like to see in the world? Global literacy and the pursuit of the arts. What message do you want to send out into the world? Seize the day. What widely held belief do you reject? That luck has anything to do with it. What mega-trend most excites you? Global health and vaccine development. What mega-trend most concerns you? Digitalization.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Don’t Stop. What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Kate Winslet. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? Virginia Hall. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? Royalty. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? All the artwork. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? Trying to make sure it was not my last. What advice would you give your younger self? Go for it. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? My marriage to my husband. What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? First year university.
Personal mission: Excellence. Personal motto: Just do it. Favorite quote: “Fortune favours the brave” (Latin proverb). Desired epitaph: Adored by her children, her husband and all who knew her. Her generosity and joie de vivre knew no bounds.
