English-Speaking World Program

Speaking to us from Wollongong, Australia (near Sydney) via Zoom, Vivien Twyford will tell us of the changes in Australia over the 50 years she has spent there as a businesswoman, mother, and student.

Setting out from the UK to travel the world at age 20, Vivien covered more than 20 countries including the United States. She arrived in Australia over 50 years ago and to her own surprise, never moved on. During the next 50 years, she lived in Sydney, got married and had a child, moved to Wollongong where she obtained two university degrees and started two businesses. She was a pioneer in Australia for the effective practice of community engagement and brought concepts from around the world to her work. Over the last decade she turned her attention to the change required within organizations to become truly collaborative. This was her focus until she retired in June 2020. Vivien was made a Fellow of the University of Wollongong in 2001, was a Finalist in the Telstra Businesswoman of the Year in Australia in 2008... and to her great delight, has 3 grandchildren.