Where do you belong?
To myself. It's a lovely feeling to be totally comfortable in your own skin - I love when I have the chance to chill out on my own. Location wise, I'm particularly attached to my home in the country and our regular holiday spot on the NSW coast - I always feel a great relief and comfort whenever I escape the city.

Your favorite piece of music?
This question is too hard for a musician! I love Winter by Tori Amos, Hello Birmingham by Ani Difranco, Jeff Buckley's version of Hallelujah and Between the Bars by Madeline Peyroux. I'm generally a sucker for songs that are sung by women with deep voices in smoky jazz bars.

The biggest hurdle you've overcome and how you did it?
Dealing with the sudden death of my cousin in early 2004. I don't think you ever recover from such encompassing grief but it was made easier by talking about her and not burying any of the pain.

What makes you laugh?
I often laugh at a lot of things that aren't funny but I always get a kick out of dry humour. I love The Office - it always cracks me up.

Who do you talk to when you've got a problem?
I'm lucky to have a best friend who is more like a sister. We live together and nothing is off limits for discussion. I also talk to my parents a lot - they are amazing people.

Your greatest achievement?
I don't think I have one greatest achievement - I am happy with my life and the decisions I have made so far. I think I achieve a lot of little things every day that make me happy.

How do you cope with loneliness?
I enjoy being alone and having time to myself and I often write better in times of loneliness so I try to embrace it. If I can't I usually turn to the phone to talk to my family and friends.

How do you relax?
Long walks, good books and hot baths.

What are your fears, and how do you face them?
Failure and regret. I am trying to become less of a perfectionist because sometimes failure teaches great lessons. I am scared of regretting anything so I pack as much as I can into every day and try to take every opportunity that presents itself.

Your heroes and role models?
My parents. They are incredible people and they have an amazing relationship. I also admire everyday people who do extraordinary things to make a difference. I recently toured with renowned scientist Jared Diamond who is an incredible role model for caring about our environment. He definitely made me think.

How have you coped with death and loss?
When someone close to you dies you enter an entirely different stage of living and you lose your innocence. I don't know if you know about life until you experience the death of a loved one, I certainly feel as though I was looking at life a different way before. I've coped by talking about it and not suppressing any emotions although overall I'm not sure if I've coped well - accepting it is the most difficult part.

Your favourite place in the world?
The beach. In the arms of someone I love.

How have you got through relationship breakups?
Ugh, they're so hard! With a lot of tears. I have had two major relationships but they have ended for good reasons so I think acceptance is the first barrier and then it gets easier.

Where do you draw strength and inspiration from?
From things around me - music, books, people who remain strong in the face of adversity, the realisation that we are so lucky to live in a free society and not to take that for granted.

Have you ever seen someone like a counsellor, and did it help?
No I haven't although my best friend is a counselor and I talk to her the most about problems so I have probably been psycho-analysed on many occasions without realising!

Your life motto?
Above all else be true to yourself.

The best thing about being alive?
Being alive. We live in an incredible world.

What are your goals for the future?
To have a fulfilling career, a family, travel the world and be happy with my decisions in life.

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