When you search for Romany Brooks by name in your inbox, a fairly colourful group of emails appear. There are congratulatory messages for colleagues, property updates, displays of gratitude, and offers of giving, including a washing machine free to a good home. The emails are few and far between but it’s quality, not quantity for Romany.

You mightn’t think these casual musings reveal much about the sender, but they do. A proud gay woman, she’s a loving daughter, friend and colleague who’s spent the last two decades fighting for equality, freedom, and change. She’s one of the leading voices in Sydney’s LGBTIQA+ community and business sector, and is somewhat of a local icon for her charismatic, unapologetic and refreshingly unfiltered view of the world.

Over the years she’s supported organisations such as the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation – Australia’s longest-running HIV charity – and more recently QTOPIA, for which she serves as a Board Member among the likes of Patrons Michael Kirby and Ita Buttrose. She was an active voice in the successful campaign for marriage equality, and naturally, she’s a contributor and participant in Sydney WorldPride, particularly the Human Rights Conference, a three-day exploration that’ll mark the largest event of its type ever to be held in the southern hemisphere.

Not limiting herself to daylight hours, she’s also an in-demand emcee and charity auctioneer for some of the city’s most high-profile fundraising evenings held by Sydney Dance Company, The Australian Children’s Music Foundation and The Aurora Education Foundation. Somehow, she finds the time to sell real estate too. No wonder she’s hardly at her desk.

 

So if, like me, you’re lucky enough to cross paths with Romany, you’ll seize the opportunity. “I am very lucky to be born of a great love that installed values of kindness and compassion. My mother always used to say to me that it costs nothing to be kind,” she says. “Mum has long been a prolific and dynamic supporter of life education for all, work skills for women and has deeply supported organisations dedicated to motor neurone disease and breast cancer, to name just a few.”

Her family legacy over the decades is one she’s immensely proud of. “My Grandfather was a Prisoner of War in Changi and dedicated his time post-war to supporting veterans and their widows. My grandmother was the patroness of the local hospital, amongst other things. If I ever had a day off school, we spent it volunteering, doing things like selling raffle tickets, on a cake stall or just helping the community.”

It was them who paved the way for her to continue doing so. “I was taught to live a giving life, to take lessons on early, to always back yourself, and know that the things worth fighting for aren’t going to be easy. So if you ask me, I’ll tell you every cliche in life is true,” she laughs. And while you might cringe if these quotes popped up on Instagram, there’s depth when it’s coming from Romany. I can feel my energy shifting to meet hers. “I feel so blessed to lead the life I do, because I know that a big part of it is because of what I give. I’m proud that I embraced those values from my childhood right through life and of the person I’ve become.”

Others are proud too, including Member for Sydney and Independent MP Alex Greenwich who bestowed Romany with the title of ‘Sydney Local Woman of the Year for 2023’ for her tireless efforts. When I mention this, she’s suitably gracious. “To be recognised for something that comes naturally and feels like the right thing to do is humbling indeed.  I’m so grateful to and have the utmost respect for all the board members, donors, community leaders, activists, and volunteers I have worked with over the years.

 

“It’s my belief that it’s not your capacity to give, but your willingness to give, that will make a difference in the long run. All you need to do is look at any event or cause and you’ll see people giving their time and energy by shaking a bucket, selling tickets, cooking food, providing music, or organising a table. So while in a broader sense, we have a long way to go in terms of acceptance and support, there are many passionate and kind people who are just continuously helping out, and it’s an honour to be recognised as one of them.”

As she speaks, there’s a light that emanates from within, but it’s not without darkness. I get the sense that over many years, these opposing forces have wrestled in her heart and mind and created the mosaic she is today. Unpacking what the word ‘Pride’ and the significance of Sydney hosting WorldPride this year means to Romany, she acknowledges the trauma, prejudice, and mistreatment of those before her. “It’s obviously a time overall for celebration, but it’s also a type of cry… it’s a time to honour the sacrifices made by so many and to highlight injustices. Spirit and acceptance for the LGBT community hasn’t always been robust.

We have had to fight to seek each other out, to be accepted in society and in many cases, to survive. We know that homophobia still exists and that basic human rights are violated the world over daily. People experience gay hate crimes, and tragically, youth suicide is higher than in non-LGBTQ youth. So as a word, ‘Pride’ means a hell of a lot more to an LGBTQ person than most.”

Looking inward, she reflects. “One of the biggest challenges in my life has been accepting myself, my quirks, and my nature. There have been times I’ve gotten in my own way and grappled with a fear of failure – the same as everyone else I suppose. So, to me pride means having worked through those times and knowing I am free and courageous in living life as my whole self, in every way, every day.”

While there’s no doubt this woman has a vision and a plan for the future, it would be remiss of me not to ask. “A world where all people are equal, regardless of their race, religion, gender, sexuality,” she says. It’s seemingly straightforward, but one she knows is deeply nuanced. “Imagine if we treated everyone in the way we’d like to be treated? We must continue to show up and speak up for those who need us. Only with depth and breadth of community and Government support will attitudes shift. The more we spread our voice and share our stories, the more we’re able to impact perceptions, consciousness and importantly, the reality. What we can achieve when we act as one and in numbers cannot be understated.”

With that, I feel it’s an appropriate place to finish our conversation, or what I’d see of as one chapter among many. It’s not the first, and it won’t be the last. In the meantime, I know where to find one of the most selfless and authentic people that I know, who’ll always see the good in the world. Until next time.

BresicWhitney encourages anyone struggling with their sexuality, orientation, mental health or place in the world to reach out for support. Help is available, and with Romany’s guidance, we encourage you to explore the following resources dedicated to the LGBTIQA+ community. If you’d like to contact Romany, you can reach her at romany@bresicwhitney.com.au

Qtopia Sydney
Twenty 10
Equality Australia.
BGF
Aurora
Pinnacle
Acon

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Photography credits
1) Romany Brooks at Sydney Dance Company’s Dance Noir, 2022.
2) Romany Brooks with Katherine Wolfgramme and David Polson. Source: Daily Telegraph. Photo: David Swift
3) Romany Brooks with MP Alex Greenwich. 
3) Romany Brooks, Sarah Murdoch, CEO Sydney World Pride Kate Wickett and Edwina McCann. Source: Daily Telegraph. Photo: Richard Dobson