Meet Wean (rohena) The Mumma
Wean (Rohena) — also known as Roh, Weana, Weani, Mum, “Muuuum!”, and about twelve other names depending on who needs what — is the heartbeat of our group. She’s 41, runs on equal parts love, organisation, and “we’re not leaving until everyone has their shoes”, and is always the first to make sure everyone is okay (and the last to sit down). She also lives with significant diagnosed anxiety, which means she’s constantly scanning ahead, planning for every “what if,” and doing her best to keep everyone steady, safe, and looked after — even when her own brain is running a mile a minute.
Early Life Wean grew up in Bairnsdale, living the real-deal dairy farm life — including getting through a serious drought that tested everyone’s grit. When things got tough, her family made the huge move to Latrobe Valley (Victoria, Australia) in the hope of saving the farm.That “move to the big smoke” (big smoke because of the power stations) opened up new opportunities, and one of the biggest was Wean becoming an exchange student in the United States, living in Mount Vernon, Washington State. She hasn’t been back since leaving in 2001, and she cannot wait to return on this trip for the first time — equal parts nostalgia, excitement, and “how has it been that long?!”
Early Career Wean’s original degree in Criminal Justice led her into adult corrections, but even back then she was doing what she’s always done best: working hard, showing up for people, and somehow juggling more than one life at a time. While studying, she worked multiple jobs — including Boost Juice, Subway, a pizza shop, and as a chiropractic assistant (because apparently sleep is a luxury).From there, she moved into Youth Justice, working as a Koori Intensive Support Practitioner for almost ten years (with breaks between babies). She later worked at an Aboriginal community centre, The Gathering Place, before joining Berry Street School — a trauma-informed high school — as a Wellbeing Leader while retraining.
Now Over the past few years, Wean retrained as a secondary teacher, completing a Master of Secondary Teaching and a Certificate IV in Teaching English as a Second Language. She’s currently teaching English, Legal Studies, and Humanities at a Secondary College in South Gippsland, bringing a trauma-informed, relationship-first approach shaped by years in youth justice and wellbeing.Wean loves travel in a way that’s both dreamy and practical: she’ll get teary at a perfect view and also quietly check the train times three times, “just in case”. Her favourite places include Paris, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Vietnam — and she’s got big plans to eventually work as a teacher in Vietnam, ideally in both an international school and a trauma-informed setting, because she’s always been drawn to work that matters.When she’s not teaching or planning the next adventure, you’ll usually find her with tattoos on the brain, an audiobook in her ears, or a book in hand — the kind of person who can recommend a story for every mood and still remember who likes what snack.
Values Wean’s values are rooted in connection and courage. Growing up through hard seasons and big changes shaped her into someone who doesn’t give up on people — especially when things are messy, complicated, or unfair. She values family, loyalty, and showing up, and she believes that people do better when they feel safe, seen, and supported (with a little humour thrown in at the right moment).Her character strengths include empathy, resilience, honesty, advocacy, and a wicked sense of humour — the kind that can make you laugh while also delivering a gentle truth you probably needed to hear.
Pre Epic Adventure Country Count: 73 Post Epic Adventure Country Count: 82
Early Life Wean grew up in Bairnsdale, living the real-deal dairy farm life — including getting through a serious drought that tested everyone’s grit. When things got tough, her family made the huge move to Latrobe Valley (Victoria, Australia) in the hope of saving the farm.That “move to the big smoke” (big smoke because of the power stations) opened up new opportunities, and one of the biggest was Wean becoming an exchange student in the United States, living in Mount Vernon, Washington State. She hasn’t been back since leaving in 2001, and she cannot wait to return on this trip for the first time — equal parts nostalgia, excitement, and “how has it been that long?!”
Early Career Wean’s original degree in Criminal Justice led her into adult corrections, but even back then she was doing what she’s always done best: working hard, showing up for people, and somehow juggling more than one life at a time. While studying, she worked multiple jobs — including Boost Juice, Subway, a pizza shop, and as a chiropractic assistant (because apparently sleep is a luxury).From there, she moved into Youth Justice, working as a Koori Intensive Support Practitioner for almost ten years (with breaks between babies). She later worked at an Aboriginal community centre, The Gathering Place, before joining Berry Street School — a trauma-informed high school — as a Wellbeing Leader while retraining.
Now Over the past few years, Wean retrained as a secondary teacher, completing a Master of Secondary Teaching and a Certificate IV in Teaching English as a Second Language. She’s currently teaching English, Legal Studies, and Humanities at a Secondary College in South Gippsland, bringing a trauma-informed, relationship-first approach shaped by years in youth justice and wellbeing.Wean loves travel in a way that’s both dreamy and practical: she’ll get teary at a perfect view and also quietly check the train times three times, “just in case”. Her favourite places include Paris, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Vietnam — and she’s got big plans to eventually work as a teacher in Vietnam, ideally in both an international school and a trauma-informed setting, because she’s always been drawn to work that matters.When she’s not teaching or planning the next adventure, you’ll usually find her with tattoos on the brain, an audiobook in her ears, or a book in hand — the kind of person who can recommend a story for every mood and still remember who likes what snack.
Values Wean’s values are rooted in connection and courage. Growing up through hard seasons and big changes shaped her into someone who doesn’t give up on people — especially when things are messy, complicated, or unfair. She values family, loyalty, and showing up, and she believes that people do better when they feel safe, seen, and supported (with a little humour thrown in at the right moment).Her character strengths include empathy, resilience, honesty, advocacy, and a wicked sense of humour — the kind that can make you laugh while also delivering a gentle truth you probably needed to hear.
Pre Epic Adventure Country Count: 73 Post Epic Adventure Country Count: 82
