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Step into the extraordinary life of Jane Rowe, from an upper-class English boarding school to rubbing shoulders with rock stars and moguls in 70s punk London to, unexpectedly, an Australian sheep station. Jane shares her personal struggle with addiction, a journey that led her to work in drug rehabilitation and witness the heart-wrenching scene of a child weeping at his mother’s coffin. Now, 25 years on, she’s dedicated her life to caring for the forgotten victims of drug abuse. In this powerful episode, we break the stigmas around addiction and explore the transformative power of letting go of shame and opening up secrets.
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Find out more about the Mirabel Foundation
About Jane Rowe
Jane Rowe, the visionary founder of the Mirabel Foundation, has dedicated her life to championing the cause of innocent children affected by the scourge of drug addiction.
Raised in privilege in 50s and 60s London, Jane’s journey led her through the vibrant Punk scene, where she worked alongside the then-young visionary Richard Branson during the early days of the Virgin Group. Faced with a heroin addiction, Jane moved across the world to Australia. Her life took a profound turn when she immersed herself in working in a drug rehabilitation unit. Recognizing the urgent need to support children who have been orphaned or abandoned due to parental drug use, Jane founded the Mirabel Foundation in 1998 in Victoria.
Mirabel focuses on restoring a child’s sense of self-worth, belonging, and hope for the future, ensuring they reach their full potential as young adults, providing advocacy, referral services, and practical and emotional assistance to children aged 0-17 years and their kinship carers. Through innovative community responses, Mirabel is breaking down stigmas and reducing the isolation experienced by these families.
Jane Rowe’s story, intertwined with Mirabel’s impactful work, exemplifies the transformative power of compassion and community-driven initiatives in breaking the cycle of despair and offering a path to a brighter future for the most vulnerable among us.
Find the moment you're seeking
2:30 What gets Jane Rowe out of bed in the morning? Like many English people, it’s tea. Also, we’re astounded by this English creation- think alarm clock, kettle duet, equalling the charming teas maid.
4:28 Heading to boarding school at the tender age of 12, grappling with homesickness, crossing paths with Princess Anne, and navigating the legacy of privilege.
7:25 “It gives a lot of survival skills but it can break a lot of people” Exploring how the environment of a boarding school moulds and shapes one’s character.
10:24 How being an Aquarius landed Jane a job with then-young visionary Richard Brandson in the early days of Virgin Records.
14:32 “Life was for partying. No breaks.” From revelling in the explorative 70s to succumbing to the clutches of a heroin addiction.
18:38 How being arrested for drug use led Jane to an incredible doctor, and meeting an Australian man who would lead her to the place where she found her purpose.
23:27 “People are dulling a pain”- Addressing the stigma of addiction, and the lack of understanding and compassion in societal discussions surrounding it.
26:23 From Punk London to an Australian sheep station. How one week transformed into 43 years, offering Jane a chance to redefine herself and her life course.
30:19 Young Lily’s story, and the incredible strength of lifting pain, guilt and shame.
33:51 The story of two young mothers whose passing inadvertently sparked the genesis of Mirabel.
39:13 The simple and genius idea behind the Cuddle a Baby Program- Connecting two groups of people who need touch and connection; addicted born babies and the elderly.
40:59 How Mirabel becomes a lifeline for those slipping through the cracks of Government support – kinship carers unexpectedly thrust into the role of raising children.
46:08 Mimi shares the Origin Story of Well-Known Thing… Little Orphan Annie.
51:09 A touching end to an extraordinary story- what is Jane Rowe’s ‘Be’?
Meet Jo
Jo Stanley is Founder and CEO at Broad Radio – radio for women, by women. Comedian, author, MC, speaker. Co-host of The House of Wellness TV and Radio. Hope messenger. Equality warrior. Mother, wife, awesome friend.
Broad Radio Insta • Broad Generation Insta • Broad Radio Web
Say hi to Mimi
Mimi is the Author of House of Kwa, Journalist, MC, Facilitator, Keynote, Mum of four, studying to become a mindfulness mediation teacher, also did architecture at university and didn’t become an architect. Quite a good friend.
BUY House of Kwa • Mimi Kwa Web