Michelle spent her early childhood years living near the domestic airport in Perth Western Australia. At age nine Michelle her parents and three sisters moved out to an old vineyard in the Swan Valley. When her parents marriage ended her father moved out and they moved to Bassendean. Leaving school at 15 meant a return to study in later life. In her mid thirties and with two young children Michelle completed her mature age entry for university and went on to complete back to back degrees. Michelle started work as a Social Worker soon after and remains in that profession 15 years later. Having returned to university to complete further study. Michelle knows that one person can only do so much but writes 'Burning the Vines' in the hope of creating awareness of the impact violence has on children and families.