When life unravels, how do we rebuild? For Sally Williams, resilience was not a buzzword, but a daily choice in the face of heartbreak, disruption and pressure.
In this episode of the Changemaker podcast, we explore how Sally has navigated personal and community challenges through the lens of The Adaptive Cycle, a powerful model from the Changemaker Workshop. Her story is one of grit, grace, and the quiet power of showing up even when things feel messy.
“You are only ever in control of how you handle yourself and how you react to what is thrown at you.”
Sally lives and works in Katanning, Western Australia, where she leads the local Landcare organisation. Her journey into this role is marked by incredible life events, including a brain tumour diagnosis and surgery during the height of the COVID pandemic, the loss of her father, and the physical and emotional setbacks of recovery. For Sally, these experiences were not just personal disruptions. They reshaped her outlook on life and ignited a deeper purpose.
“That was the big shift for me. I did not want to miss out on anything anymore. I needed my work to matter.”
Through the Changemaker Workshop, Sally connected her lived experiences to broader community leadership. She embraced the Adaptive Cycle, recognising moments of breakdown, finding strength in reorganisation, and discovering opportunities for renewal. These insights proved critical as she took on leadership of an organisation in transition, eventually spearheading the return of EcoWeek, a community-wide celebration of sustainability and resilience.
“We are only a small team, but we are a good one. And we have got a sense of humour. That counts for a lot.”
EcoWeek itself became a live expression of the Adaptive Cycle. From sudden changes in team members to termites forcing them out of their office, Sally and her team navigated a constant state of flux. But with each challenge came an invitation to adapt, rethink, and regenerate.
“Every time we hit disruption, something new takes root. It might not look how we imagined, but it always leads to growth.”
To hear more about Sally Williams story and leadership experience you can listen to her episode on our Changemaker podcast series.
About the series
This conversation is part of a new series exploring the impact of the Changemaker Workshops delivered across more than 30 regions by the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund. These workshops were a part of the Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative.
To listen to this episode visit our website or search for Rural Leadership Unearthed on all major streaming platforms.
