Key Points
- Councillor Karissa Quindao-Subedi is originally from Cebu. She is a nurse educator and specialist who migrated to Australia in 2010.
- She is the founder and CEO of the College of Nursing Education & Training Australia (NETA), which has four branches across Australia since 2020. Every year, NETA produces 600 to 700 nurses for the country.
- In 2024, she was elected as a city councillor of Wagga Wagga in New South Wales.
LISTEN TO THE PODCAST
From cashier to councillor: How a Filipina nurse-educator earned a seat in Wagga Wagga City, NSW
SBS Filipino
08/03/202513:09
Everyone has a story to tell. Pinoys in Australia feature stories about new beginnings. challenges, failures and successes, faith, hope, and bayanihan. It is all about being Filipino in Australia.
Wagga Wagga City Councillor Karissa Quindao-Subedi comes from a humble family in a town in Cebu.
From kindergarten, she saw the sacrifices her parents made to give her an education, and their efforts paid off.
"From grade one to six, I got a scholarship from a private school and was always a first honor... I just had to maintain that grade. I think it all started there—that I had to achieve certain things in life because it was free, and education is expensive."
Councillor Subedi believes that Filipino culture has played a significant role in shaping her as a public servant and leader. Filipinos are known for being thoughtful, caring, and achievers. Credit: Karissa Quindao-Subedi FB page
"They allowed me to grow, to be a child, and enjoy being a kid. It was up to me to maintain my grades... My technique was to listen to the teacher and not cause any disruption."
[4tt from the left] In 2020, Councillor Karissa Quindao-Subedi founded the College of Nursing Education & Training Australia (NETA). Credit: Karissa Quindao-Subedi FB page
"I played shatong... I loved it so much... We played 'lupa langit' (we call it 'dakop-dakop' back home), it's a tag game, and Chinese garter. I also played basketball.
It’s great to be involved in team sports because it teaches you to think about others, not just yourself. It was a happy childhood."
We didn’t have much, and I saw how hard my parents worked. They made us understand that not everything comes easy—you have to work hard for it.Councillor Karissa Quindao-Subedi
When Karissa migrated to Australia in 2010, before becoming a nurse educator and specialist, she also experienced working in what are called "odd jobs."
"I started with a cashier job in one of the grocery stores, doing flower arrangements, and selling flowers."
I expected that it wouldn’t be easy, so I prepared myself for it. But I didn’t expect it to be this much hard work—especially compared to how comfortable life can be in the Philippines. Still, I knew it was the path that would take me to my goal.Councillor Karissa Quindao-Subedi
When Karissa was younger, she dreamt of becoming a teacher or a lawyer, but she chose to follow her mother’s footsteps, who was a nurse.
[3rd bottom from the left] Councillor Karissa Quindao-Subide alongside the members of the Wagga Wagga City Council. Credit: Supplied
"She just didn’t get to see that I’m now a councillor. But this—Political Science—has always been my true passion."
Councillor Karissa Quindao-Subedi with her family. Credit: Supplied
"I want to leave a lasting impact. I don’t want to stay in the council without accomplishing anything. I’m determined to do something significant that will make people remember my contribution."
Besides her roles as a public servant and entrepreneur, Karissa places great importance on her two children and her husband, who is an executive chef from Nepal.
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