TAHIR, Brooke

Brooke Tahir is truly inspiring.  Having been diagnosed with Addisons disease, a brain tumour, diabetes, epilepsy and all of the side effects that come with these conditions and medications, rather than give up, Brooke enrolled at FedUni and has since graduated with a Bachelor of Biomedical Science.  Brooke has 4 children (2 foster and 2 of her own) and getting a job in science was on her radar but impossible with her current situation.

Brooke is from Gunai Kurnai Country, is Autistic and has ADHD, and wanted to make a difference in the community and diversity on the Mornington Peninsula.  Brooke realised there was a large gap in social activities that were welcoming to those on the spectrum.

Brooke was familiar with certain recreational places being highly over stimulating for those on the spectrum and other abilities and that’s how the Main Street Greenery and Fairy Kingdom was born.

The Main Street Greenery was something Brooke wanted to become a part of the community, so when she started the business Brooke offered and pledged $1 from each sale to the local emergency relief for the needy.  So far they have contributed thousands to them.

Using only recycled goods Brooke created the Fairy Kingdom which has become an ASD friendly space and a perfect all abilities display with a play hub. She was very keen still to use her skill in science to make a difference. In 2022 Brooke started playing around with agar plates and cloning plants on them to sell to save her store money and now Brooke offer courses in plant cloning and propagation as she believes it could be a vital skill in the future.

One day Brooke was approached and asked if she would go to homeschools or schools for those whom "don't fit in to main stream schools" and she was naturally excited.

Since them, Brooke has travelled around Melbourne doing various workshops teaching fundamental science to give children and young adults a foundation in STEM as it is so important. She has also travelled to schools teaching mostly grade 5-6 students (for free) how to limit food waste and harvest seeds from scraps, dry them and plant them in the correct way.

After people learnt that Brooke was ASD and was motivated and passionate about math and science she started to get asked to tutor children on the spectrum, so since 2022 Brooke have also been tutoring children with all abilities. 99% of her students are on the ASD spectrum or blind and Brooke is the only one in her area who hasn’t turned down these children because everyone has the right to a comfortable education.

Brooke is currently offering aboriginal dot painting lessons and assisting people who are steered away from culture over time to get back into it and feel their roots. She loves what she does. Brooke has been a volunteer mentor and tutor for 10 years which started through the Smith Family teaching disadvantaged kids, this is where Brooke came from and wanted to give back.