GRACE DOWSE
North Curl Curl,NSW
Summary
A highly skilled professional with expertise in interpersonal skills and rapport building, complemented by strong verbal and written communication abilities. Demonstrates exceptional critical thinking, problem solving, and conflict resolution skills, ensuring effective time management and prioritisation in high-pressure environments. Proficient in empirical research and data analysis, with strong computer literacy and cultural awareness. Committed to leveraging compassion and resilience to drive positive outcomes in diverse settings.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
School Work Experience
Manly West Public School
01.2017
- Prepared classes with K-2 teachers and shared teaching duties
- Built communication skills, patience and interest working with people
Community Support Worker
Sunnyfield DisAbility Allambie Hub
04.2025 - 09.2025
- Delivering person-centred support tailored to individual needs, goals, behaviours and communication styles.
- Support clients with complex mental illnesses and intellectual disabilities (e.g., PTSD, dementia, self-harm).
- Interpretation of non-verbal cues and body language.
- Building trusting relationships with vulnerable clients while maintaining professional boundaries.
- Observing behavioural patterns and triggers to inform support.
- Working with clients towards personalised goals.
- Crisis de-escalation and problem solving in high-stress situations, balancing multiple client needs.
- Collaboration with psychologists, doctors, and families within multidisciplinary teams.
- Upholding ethical practice through confidentiality and informed consent
- Preparing case notes, behaviour plans and incident reports.
- Ongoing reflective practice to improve care.
Restaurant Team Leader
The Collaroy - Merivale
01.2023 - 09.2025
- Streamlining daily restaurant operations, organising daily tasks, running breaks, managing team dynamics and supporting team members.
- Delivering service to a variety of guests including developing rapport with VIPs and regular guests.
- Training new staff members on guest service, food and drink knowledge.
- Coordinating with other venue managers to ensure smooth service and discuss strategies to meet KPI and growth targets.
Honours Research Thesis
University of Sydney
02.2024 - 10.2024
- Designed and conducted empirical research to explore motivated forgetting of neutral and negative visual memories, with a specific focus on what aspects of memory traces are impoverished during motivated forgetting processes. This was motivated by an interest in the memory of emotional and traumatic events.
- Scheduled participants through USYD’s online enrolment system, including confirmations and follow-ups.
- Developed counter balanced virtual experiments, requiring confidence with computer programs such as Psychopy.
- Independently ran experiment sessions.
- Coded, scored and condensed responses into quantitative data for analysis, using Excel.
- Analysed data for 3x2 Repeated Analysis of Variance using JASP, including all post-hoc analyses necessary for the research aim.
- Synthesised ideas and information to present research findings effectively in the form of an empirical thesis.
COVID-19 Agent and Contact Tracer
NSW Health via 24/7 Nursing + Medical Services
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Clear communication, problem solving, and interpersonal skills used to assist callers struggling with Covid-19, including those in precarious or unsafe living conditions.
- Adaptability to changing circumstances and ability to effectively handle callers in significant distress.
- Patience communicating conflicting state and federal regulations to callers and other stakeholders e.g., GPs and businesses
- Technical skills including use of Genesys, Health Direct and CCAS online systems
Education
Bachelor of Psychology/International Relations -
University of Sydney
01.2020 - 01.2024
NSW Higher School Certificate - undefined
NBSC Manly Selective Campus
Skills
- Interpersonal skills and rapport building
- Compassion
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Problem Solving and Conflict Resolution
- Time Management and Prioritisation
- Empirical Research and Data Analysis
- Strong Computer Literacy
- Resilience under pressure
- Cultural awareness
Certification
- RSA Competency
- Working with Children Check
- NSW Police Check
- First Aid and CPR Certification
- Mental Health First Aid Training 2021 and 2022
References
- Irina, Harris, Honours Supervisor, irina.harris@sydney.edu.au, USYD, A/Prof
- James, Cossell, General Manager, james.cossell@merivale.com, +61 431 680 831, The Collaroy
- Tom, Kaye, Head Bar Manager, thomas.kaye@merivale.com, +61 414 692 624, The Newport and Berts Bar and Brasserie
- Jon, Couch, Team Leader, +61 473 350 756, 24/7 Nursing and Medical Services
- Katy, Shannon, History Teacher, +61 434 012 368, Manly Selective Campus
- Christie, Jones, Store Manager, +61 414 636 435, McDonalds
Hobbies and Interests
Music, Fitness and Pilates, History and International Relations, Babysitting, Animals, Wildlife and Environmental Conservation
Volunteer Experience
Fergus Mcculla Psychological Support and Wellbeing Programme, providing emotional support to survivors of Sarcoma cancers and their families., Volunteered at numerous City2Surf and Dee Why-to-Manly fun runs, Roos Rugby Club canteen, World Challenge 2017: three weeks in Borneo for a village restoration project at Pa’Lungan in the Kelabit Highlands: a valuable experience of teamwork, resilience and organisation through an independent and autonomously planned trip., Selected for Sony Camp 2020 through a competitive selection process to plan and host a camp for children with disabilities (but unfortunately cancelled due to Covid-19)., Organisation of events 2021-22 (e.g., Mother’s Day Charity Event 500-600 people): team of 4 learning to work with large budgets of over $90k, booking and negotiating services, teamwork and administration., Volunteer at intercollegiate events including 2020 and 2021 swimming carnivals, involving the organisation of swimmers, times and scoring.
OTHER LEADERSHIP
- St. Andrews College Student Mentor 2021 and 2022, providing social support and guidance to student residents.
- Mentor through St. Andrews mentoring and tutoring outreach program 2020 and 2021
- Bligh House Sports Captain (Manly Campus)
- Peer Academic leader (Manly Campus), creating a welcoming atmosphere and friendship opportunities for Year 7s, while teaching study skills and group work.
- DanceHouse: led dance workshops at and assisted in organising younger children for dance performances
Timeline
Community Support Worker
Sunnyfield DisAbility Allambie Hub
04.2025 - 09.2025
Honours Research Thesis
University of Sydney
02.2024 - 10.2024
Restaurant Team Leader
The Collaroy - Merivale
01.2023 - 09.2025
COVID-19 Agent and Contact Tracer
NSW Health via 24/7 Nursing + Medical Services
01.2021 - 01.2022
Bachelor of Psychology/International Relations -
University of Sydney
01.2020 - 01.2024
School Work Experience
Manly West Public School
01.2017
NSW Higher School Certificate - undefined
NBSC Manly Selective Campus
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