Hello!

Thank you for visiting! I'm a true local independent who has been serving the community in Willoughby for many years and I look forward to working for you.

Background

I grew up in the Willoughby electorate, went to Cammeray Public School and North Sydney Girls High School. My childhood years were spent in Cammeray and my teen years in Cremorne - where I experienced the challenges of getting to school via Military Rd! I was also lucky enough to spend a great deal of time at my grandparents’ home in West Chatswood. I am married to Mark and we have three wonderful children. We have owned a home in Naremburn for over 24 years and have also lived in Northbridge and Crows Nest. I’m a born and bred local who cares deeply for the people of Willoughby and its precious environment.

Professional Expertise

My professional experience started with a degree in Technology Management, followed by an Honours year where I examined the success of government funding related to the commercialisation of emerging research in Australia. I went on to spend more than 10 years in various management and senior consulting positions in the corporate sector, working with an array of businesses across the Asia Pacific Region. My experience ranges across the food, medical, pharmaceutical, retail, primary production, export, service and public service sectors. I have technical expertise in consulting to and assessing organisations against best practice international standards and I have managed teams in the environment and risk management space. I ran a successful start-up business unit for a major corporate and was also involved in accessing government R&D grants aimed at furthering business opportunities for Aussie businesses. I'm a problem solver who enjoys partnering with stakeholders to find innovative and worlds best practice solutions. I'm rarely confined by a problem, but rather I am motivated to find the best solutions

Local and Overseas Volunteer Work

I was lucky enough to be able to take a break from my corporate career to spend three years living in Belgium with my young family where I experienced the benefits of planning done differently, where development respects heritage and active and public transport is a priority. During this time, I was involved in volunteer work which supported local, expat and refugee communities and was involved in fund raising for charities. Upon return to Australia, I worked intensively as a carer and advocate for a relative with a rare and challenging health condition whilst transitioning into serving and representing the community in various elected positions. I have been involved with local, faith and school groups which serve our community and have had experience in supporting the needs of the elderly, women, our youth and our wonderful multi-cultural community.

Family and Small Business

I have also been involved in family and small business and I understand the joys and challenges that having your own business brings! I'm passionate about supporting our local job centres, making it easier to do business and creating opportunity through innovation.

Environment and Green Space Advocacy

Having three children and being a member of a family involved in sport in NSW I know how important community spaces are to our physical and mental health. Good planning should ensure we have adequate facilities that enhance rather than compete with our beautiful and precious bushland.  Having served on the Flat Rock Gully and Bicentennial Reserve Committee, as President of Naremburn Progress Association, as Secretary of the Federation of Willoughby Progress Associations and as a founding member of local environment groups I have been concerned for some time that we are forced to compete for space in the face of State Government led unsustainable development. The plans for our spaces, services and transport simply are not keeping pace with the scale of development being planned.

Experience Working with Government

For the past 5 years I have led the campaign to "Stop the Tunnels" - asking that the government, opposition and cross bench reassess the toll roads in favour of viable, sustainable alternatives. I have also regularly met and presented to key decision makers regarding our planning laws, heritage protections and environment. I was approached by the community to run in the 2019 election and again at the by-election in 2022 to highlight the need for better community representation and outcomes. At the byelection we saw a history making swing away from our traditional voting patterns.

Why am I Running for State Parliament?

I have never been motivated by a “career” in politics - my motivation is to see the community represented and affect positive change. I have developed the knowledge of government processes and the relationships across the political spectrum to hit the ground running and ensure we see real change for Willoughby and our State.

Our democracy functions at its best when decisions are transparently made and through the process of unfettered representation. What I have learnt through years of community representation is that decisions in NSW are increasingly being hidden behind complex processes and the communities voice is being lost within the party system. The community should not have to work so hard to ensure government policy reflects the communities will. Both major parties are letting go of the principle that the government exists to serve the public interest. This needs to change. I am increasingly convinced that the only way to change the state of politics in NSW is with a strong and truly independent cross bench to hold the major parties accountable to the public interest.

I'm inviting you to be part of the change we need to ensure a better future for Willoughby.

Come with me on a journey to change the state of politics in NSW.

Volunteer, donate, tell a friend, and most importantly please pass on the message to Vote 1 Larissa Penn ...and encourage everyone to number their preferences, it's the only way to guarantee change!

xx Larissa 

To check whether you are resident of the Willoughby electorate click here.