BERNII GODWIN
Nominee for what Award/s
Trusted Mentor and Coach Award
Wellness With Heart Award
Trusted Mentor and Coach Award
Trusted Mentor and Coach Award
1. Why did you first step into mentorship or coaching?
My journey began in schools, working directly with children and young people through behaviour education. Guiding students to make powerful choices was not only fulfilling—it was life-changing. As we expanded this work to include parents, I soon found educators reaching out for one-on-one support. The desire to provide a safe space for adults to reflect on their practice and inner world became the foundation of Godwin Consulting. Whether I’m working with students or adults, I believe that helping people reflect on who they want to be—and how to achieve their goals without violating the rights of others—is a vital skill for thriving.
2. What philosophy or values guide how you mentor others?
My mentoring is grounded in three core values: connection, responsibility, and restoration. I believe love requires freedom, and true transformation comes when people feel safe enough to grow. I focus on nurturing self-leadership, helping clients take ownership of their thoughts, choices, and actions while restoring their capacity for connection with others.
3. Tell us about a mentee/client transformation you're proud of.
There are many transformations I’ve witnessed—clients setting boundaries in toxic relationships, rediscovering joy, or stepping into leadership with clarity and confidence. One that stands out is Alex (name changed). When we first met, Alex was in middle management, struggling with a complex home life and a low sense of self-worth. Their drive and overachievement masked deep insecurity, often creating tension with colleagues. Over five years, Alex completely transformed—developing emotional intelligence, building a team-first mindset, and restoring peace at home. They are now thriving in a senior leadership role and has recently begun coaching others through similar journeys.
4. How do you continue to grow so you can serve better?
I’m committed to continuous growth. I’m a member of the Maxwell Leadership Team, the Australian Association of Social Workers, and the International Association of Applied Neuroscience. I work closely with several mentors and professional supervisors and follow an annual growth plan to refine both my personal and professional capacity. I regularly write and develop new resources, and I seek out spaces that stretch me, challenge me, and call me into deeper self-reflection.
5. What advice do you have for women stepping into leadership roles?
Leadership shouldn’t be lonely. Surround yourself with people who believe in you—mentors, coaches, and trusted colleagues who will hold you accountable and cheer you on. Never be the smartest person in the room; instead, draw out the gold in others. Your role is not to shine alone, but to illuminate what’s possible in those around you. When others see their value, you’ll create something extraordinary—together.
Wellness With Heart Award
Wellness With a Heart Award
What inspired you to champion wellness and healing?
My passion for wellness and healing began with students — especially those who had been labelled, misunderstood, or written off. Over the years, that passion has expanded to include teachers, parents, leaders, and teams. Whether it’s a student avoiding schoolwork, a teacher on the edge of burnout, or a parent unsure how to connect with their child — I’ve seen how many people are simply trying to survive systems that were never built for wholeness. I champion wellness because I believe every person — child or adult — deserves access to the tools and relationships that help them thrive, not just function.
Tell us about a breakthrough moment in helping others feel whole.
One of the most defining moments of my career came before I had a title, a model, or a plan. I had been hired to tutor Rebecca — a teenager suspended from school for ten weeks — and her friend Tayla. I began with control: strict rules, high expectations, and rewards for compliance. It didn’t work. The girls resisted, pushed boundaries, and stopped participating altogether. When Rebecca looked me in the eye and flatly said “No,” I felt powerless and walked away.
But something in me couldn’t give up. I returned — not to demand, but to connect. I sat them down and told the truth:
“This isn’t working for me. What do you want?”
What followed was an outpouring of emotion — not defiance, but fear, shame, and grief. They spoke of losing friends, letting their families down, and feeling like failures. That moment changed everything. Together, we rebuilt the daily structure and our relationship. They helped create the plan — phones away, breaks scheduled, subjects they could choose. And it worked. Rebecca passed her exams and returned to school.
That breakthrough didn’t just help a teenager feel whole — it helped me discover the foundation of my work: we can’t control people toward transformation, but we can create the conditions where healing can begin by keeping our love turned on.
What philosophy drives your approach to wellbeing?
Safety is not the removal of the fear of the threat — it’s the confidence and tools to respond to the presence of the threat. Whether I’m working with students, staff teams, school leaders, or families, I believe wellbeing must be built from the inside out. My work is guided by the belief that connection and responsibility are the twin pillars of real change — and that love is a powerful choice.
At the heart of my philosophy is a simple but transformative equation:
Love + Healthy Relationships + Joyful Responsibility = Genuine Restoration.
True wellness isn’t comfort. It’s clarity, courage, and the capacity to act on what matters most. It means giving people the internal tools to navigate their world — not just temporarily feel better, but become stronger, safer, and more empowered from within.
When people feel safe, connected, and empowered to take ownership of their choices, healing becomes not just possible — but inevitable. This isn’t about behaviour manipulation. It’s about shaping cultures where people learn to manage themselves, restore relationships, and build resilient identities in the process.
How have you overcome obstacles in your wellness journey?
Wellness really is a journey. Over time, I’ve had to let go of performance and step into presence — with myself and others. I’ve learned to practise what I teach: grace over shame, boundaries over burnout, and honest reflection over fear of failure. I’ve also had to develop and model the same tools I offer others — emotional regulation, language for repair, and healthy decision-making — not just with students and adult clients, but in my own relationships, leadership, and daily life.
I’ve worked closely with key mentors and professional supervisors who have helped me reflect deeply on both my physiological and intellectual responses. With their guidance, I’ve learned to notice my reactions, pause with curiosity, and consider more effective options before moving forward. And this process continues to this day.
Growth mindset, to me, is not just about reflection — it’s about movement. I’ve learned to reflect
and apply
— to notice, adjust, and act in ways that align with my values. That ongoing integration is what continues to strengthen my practice and expand my impact.
What does true wellbeing mean to you?
To me, true wellbeing is equipping people — children and adults — with the tools and confidence to respond to their own lives without violating the rights of others. It’s not about fixing others, but walking with them as they are empowered to find their own way forward. It’s the ability to stay grounded in hard moments, to speak honestly, to restore relationships when things go wrong, and to make choices aligned with your values.
In schools, workplaces, and families, I’ve seen what’s possible when wellbeing is more than a buzzword or a lunchroom donut tray — when it becomes a daily practice of creating safety, cultivating connection, and owning our role in shaping the culture around us. That’s the kind of wellness I want to keep championing.