Fundraising

Run for Femili PNG Runner Profile – Isabelle Favre

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Our third interview in our #RunforFemiliPNG team at the Australian Running Festival is with Isabelle Favre. Isabelle will be walking the 5km event, as a result of having a hip replacement a few months ago. She claims that she is no hero, but we here at Femili PNG strongly disagree.

Isabelle and dog Chica

Isabelle, tell us a bit about yourself.

I’ve worked for the past 10 years as an audit manager at the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO). I find the job very challenging, it is like every year is a new job when we start a new audit. I work in the audit branch that looks after Indigenous Affairs.

One of the most satisfying aspects of my work is the quality of work that we do to improve public administration. The ANAO has extensive powers to access information and therefore ensure government accountability. The Auditor-General is an independent officer of the Parliament here in Australia, and our reports are tabled in Parliament.

What made you decide to take part in the Running Festival to support Femili PNG?

One of my work colleagues (Kelly Williamson) is a Board member of Femili PNG, and she has spoken to me about the work that Femili PNG does.

My last two audits have related to the Torres Strait up in far North Queensland. I find that area very interesting, and it shares a border with PNG as they are so close. I don’t know a lot about PNG, but I’m aware that family and sexual violence is a massive problem there. I heard some statistics when I was doing cultural awareness training, and I couldn’t believe it. That’s why I believe that Femili PNG is a very valuable cause to support.

And so you are taking part in the 5km event at the Running Festival?

I am, but I will be walking the event as I had a hip replacement in late November. I’m no hero, this is considered a normal recovery to be able to walk this distance by now.

After I had the operation, I had five weeks off work, but I was up walking the day after the operation. I spent 10 days in hospital – five of which were in rehab – and then would increase my walking by a couple of minutes each day.

At first I was using a walking frame, then a pair of crutches, then one crutch, and then nothing. Walking on the flat, walking up stairs. Now I see a physiotherapist once a month.

The recovery is taking a little longer than I hoped it would, but maybe this is just part of the ageing process. I did some running before the hip replacement, but not more than about 5-10kms a couple times a week.

I’m looking forward to taking part in the Running Festival and supporting the work of Femili PNG.

To sponsor Isabelle and the #RunForFemiliPNG team and support the work of Femili PNG, visit our fundraising page.

Interested in being part of the team? See here for further details.