Take every opportunity that comes your way. Don’t sit back and wait for things to be handed to you, because they won’t be.  Make things happen!

Libby Sterling is a woman who has never let gender or geography stand in the way of achieving her dream of becoming a park ranger. In 1998, having managed a small museum, taught scuba diving, mapped landscapes, and worked as a geologist and soil conservation extension officer with landholders and Aboriginal people across New South Wales and the Northern Territory, she finally reached her goal as manager of the 90,000 hectare Solitary Islands Marine Park north of Coffs Harbour. Libby hopes by retelling her story she may inspire other younger women to think outside the career square. (Libby recently changed career again after some health issues. Libby is now Manager Biosecurity Compliance & Mine Safety Training for the NSW Department of Primary Industries.)

What gave you the motivation/inspiration to follow your dream?

When I was about 12 years old I remember watching a TV program about park rangers. This sparked my dream of becoming a ranger. My first step was to research rangers in NSW and the qualifications I needed to become one. I talked to a local ranger to find out what they did and how they got to be where they were. Reaching this goal was not a straightforward path. At university I soon came to the realisation that most of the other 500 students in my course also wanted to be rangers. I didn’t like the odds! After a few months of perusing the uni noticeboard, I noticed lots of vacancies for geologists. I changed to a degree in Land Science. I still wanted to be a ranger but I had to face reality and give myself options. While studying I took up scuba diving and became a dive instructor. My first full-time job was running a small coastal museum while teaching diving on weekends.

In the mid ’80s I was employed under a government initiative, the ‘technical jobs for women’ scheme, which was providing jobs for women in traditionally male-dominated areas. For two years I was involved in land degradation mapping and extension work before moving into mineral exploration. When I was offered a six month job in Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory I jumped at the chance and ended up staying for 11 years. While in the Top End I mostly worked in remote areas and often was the only woman on the team.

When I decided I’d like to work back in town (Darwin), I didn’t wait around for jobs to be advertised. I took my resumé and contacted a department that I was interested in working for. I had a new position within six weeks. Funnily though, I went straight back out bush to the Mary River Wetlands. I fell in love with the Northern Territory and worked in a few different areas (soil conservation extension, senior ranger, project officer, diving instructor). It was hard work at times but I enjoyed being outdoors and working with the local land owners and Aboriginal people. Those years set me up for the future and gave me really broad and unusual experience.

At what point did you realise that your dream was actually possible and what was it that made you think you could really do it?

It never occurred to me that I wouldn’t realise my dream. It was more a matter of how long it would take. While in the Territory, I finally scored a ranger’s job. All the other positions helped me to get the experience I needed. Along the way I’d learned about people, land management issues, land degradation, research, funding, extension, fire, weeds, feral animals, tourism and bush skills, and I learnt a lot from the people I was working with—the landholders, the local Aboriginal people, and the other members of my team.

When a job came up in 1998 to work in the Solitary Islands Marine Park, I had the experience they were looking for and won the position.

When you were a child, what did you want to ‘be’ when you grew up?

I grew up in Mollymook on the South Coast of NSW. I didn’t fit into the traditional 1970s stereotype for girls and was more of a tomboy. I wanted a job that was interesting and unusual, where I could be outdoors and independent.

How did your childhood influence you in later life?

My mother died when I was young and Dad wasn’t necessarily supportive of my goals, but I was very determined. Don’t get me wrong—he was a great Dad and he helped me in lots of ways. I was always very independent as a child and relied on myself rather than other people. Because I knew what I wanted to do at a young age I made sure I chose subjects at school that would get me on the path to becoming a ranger.

Who are your role models?

They aren’t famous people. They are my family, friends and colleagues mostly, and my older sister. I am inspired by people who overcome odds or challenges that are put in their path, yet they get there anyway, often with a huge smile to go with it!

What does success mean to you?

Success for me is about being happy, healthy and having enjoyable, useful and productive work. Plus being able to pay the bills on time!

What has been one of the biggest barriers you have had to face, what happened, and how did you overcome it?

I hurt my back and neck a couple of years ago. I continually ignored all the warning signs. I love scuba diving and boating, but I am not able to scuba dive anymore and going out on boats aggravates the injury. I have always been fit, healthy, active and in or on the water. I had to face the reality that I couldn’t continue the same way. I went from sitting at a desk one day to being hospitalised for seven weeks. I spent months recovering. I’d been told I might not get any better so I really had to look at my options. I was determined to get back to work. Being a Marine Park Manager was fantastic but I really felt I couldn’t physically do it anymore. I started to look at alternatives and changed to my current training role.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years time? What is your vision for the future?

’d like to be in my own business—something that helps people or provides some sort of worthwhile service to the community. I have many interests and I enjoy working with people. Who knows where I’ll be in 10 years, but I know it will be good. I’ll be having fun making the most of life and the opportunities that come my way.

What would you like to say to other women who may be just starting out on a ‘daring to dream’ journey?

Believe in yourself. Be enthusiastic, work hard and be clear about what your personal values are. Take every opportunity that comes your way. Don’t sit back and wait for things to be handed to you, because they won’t be. Make things happen! Don’t be afraid to dream. Remember—with effort, dreams do become reality. My motto is ‘You can do anything, you just have to want it badly enough’.