Doug Taylor’s charity role and long career helping others earns Western Sydney University fellowship

Driven by a sense of social justice, Picton’s Doug Taylor reveals he has always had an “inherent empathy for the underdog’’.

Picton resident Doug Taylor, said he received a great deal of satisfaction from helping others.

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DRIVEN by a sense of social justice, Picton’s Doug Taylor reveals he has always had an “inherent empathy for the underdog’’.

Mr Taylor, 45, a father of two, has dedicated his entire career to working in the not-for-profit sector and he gains a great deal of pride from this role.

“From an early age, I have always had an empathy for people from the margins (of society),’’ he said.

“I’m lucky that I have been able to develop a career out of working on that driver.

“I have a family history of people exhibiting that as well. It’s the nature nurture question.’’

Mr Taylor said spending his early years living in the country and through his years living in the Macarthur area, he has encountered a diversity of people.

“I have an appreciation of the lives some people live and it’s often through no fault of their own,’’ he said.

Mr Taylor is a director of Resilient COmmunitities, which is part of the Uniting Church.

He looks after home care, disability services and early learning and manages a team of 3000 people.

Doug Taylor, of Picton, is the Resilient Communities director and he received a Community Fellowship from Western Sydney University recently.

“I have a passion for helping others and I get a great deal of satisfaction out of that,’’ he said.

“I’m lucky I have been able to build a working life out of doing that.

“It’s satisfying to see people’s lives improve, particularly the lives of children so they can find their own path.’’

Mr Taylor recently received a Community Fellowship from Western Sydney University (WSU) in recognition of his services to charity and social development in the western Sydney region.

“I appreciate the recognition,’’ he said.

Mr Taylor, a member of the WSU alumni, graduated from the university with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in 2000 and said he was keen to give back and to support the university and its student.

With great pride, he addressed a speech to WSU graduands at a graduation ceremony last month.

His speech highlighted to the graduands the privilege of having a quality education and the importance of creating a legacy based on courage, respect and humility.

Mr Taylor said Australia faced significant social and economic challenges and today’s university graduates were well placed to lead us in finding new ways forward.

His advice to students included to back yourself, take whatever opportunities you get and don’t wait for the right role, but instead focus on being the right person.

Mr Taylor also urged the graduands to ignore any fears of being rejected or of failure.

“All people have that at different stages,’’ he said.

“My refrain is What’s the worst thing that can happen.

“Create in your mind that there’s nothing to lose and more problems and opportunities to solve.

“Take the challenges head on.’’

Mr Taylor and wife Cath, who works for the overseas aid sector, have lived in Picton for 17 years.

They have two daughters Jemima, 15, and Brydie, 11.