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Kristine Rawlinson brings together professional expertise and lived experience in a way that deeply informs her work as a Support Co-ordinator.

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Before becoming an unpaid carer, Kristine worked as a Speech Pathologist, policy maker, and NDIS Community Engagement Officer, supporting people and communities to navigate complex disability and government systems.

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Her life changed when her husband acquired meningococcal disease, resulting in multiple amputations and an acquired brain injury, and later cancer. Around the same time, her son was diagnosed with autism, ADHD, and a life-threatening eating disorder. Kristine suddenly found herself living inside the very systems she once worked in — this time as a carer.

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These experiences led her to join forces with PS My Family Matters and has led the organsiation since 2023, renaming it Power to Care in 2025.  Power to Care is a carer-led organisation focused on reducing administrative burden and improving how unpaid carers are supported.

 

In 2025, Kristine was recognised for this work as Lived Experience Changemaker of the Year at The Mental Health Services Conference.

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Much of Kristine's work is voluntary, because she is deeply committed to changing the system to benefit all carers.  She is known for her calm, systems-savvy approach and deep respect for the lived expertise of participants and carers. She believes support co-ordination should reduce overwhelm, strengthen choice, and help people breathe again.

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