11/06/2026
🌟🪩 Meet our Woman of the Month: Daniela Binder🪩🌟
I’m Dani, nature lover, tradie wife, mum to two beautiful boys and one very adored staffy. I grew up in South-West Sydney, spending weekends camping, bushwalking and exploring the NSW South Coast, which sparked my lifelong love of nature and the ocean. I work in biodiversity conservation and love bringing people together through community groups, snorkelling, book clubs, dancing nights and anything that helps people connect.
How long have you lived in the South Shoalhaven area?
We’ve lived here for three years now, although it took a while for the ducks to align with my work and my partner’s solar and electrical business. Before that we moved around a lot, but this is the first place that’s truly felt like home and I honestly can’t imagine leaving.
What originally brought you here?
My connection to this area started through childhood camping trips on the South Coast, and later my parents retiring to Manyana. Over time, what started as a holiday destination slowly became the place that felt most like home. We were craving a slower pace, more connection to nature, and a place to raise our boys where community and the outdoors are part of everyday life.
What do you do for work (or passion projects)?
I work for the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust, helping protect biodiversity on private land across NSW. I manage a partnership program, so my role requires me to make connections with others all day which suits me very well! Outside of work, I’m usually organising something social or community-focused — i have a plethora of passion projects from local snorkelling groups, sourdough nights and book clubs to environment rallies and most recently our monthly Saturday dance offs at the Milton CWA (come along, ). I also volunteer as an ethics teacher in my sons’ school and really value helping kids learn critical thinking skills, curiosity and respectful debate.
What do you love most about living here?
Definitely the sense of community. I made friends almost immediately. Neighbours genuinely know and look out for each other, kids still play outside until sundown, and there’s such a beautiful balance of nature, creativity, family life and community spirit. I also love the music and arts culture here — the opportunities for people through programs like Milton Follies and Sing Express choir are honestly incredible for a small town.
Favourite local place to visit?
Narrawallee Inlet is probably my happy place — coffee at Tinos with friends while the boys chase crabs, paddle board, snorkel the incoming tide and watch the birdlife. I also love North Molly, South Narrawallee, North Durras and Washies — honestly anywhere with bush, ocean and clear water and I’m happy, so basically the entire NSW south coast!
Favourite local business or person you’d love to give a shoutout to?
We’re dedicated Journey Strong bootcamp regulars at Narrawallee, usually followed by coffee and treats at Huey’s or Tino’s. For food and catch-ups we love Gwylo, Bannisters Pool Bar, Nomah and Cupitt’s….and Tanoshi Thursdays after swim lessons.
A huge shout out to Milton Follies and the incredible volunteers who give so much time and energy to supporting local kids in the theatre.
To Treading Lightly, who are at the heart of every community environment project, Drawn2Water for teaching me to be brave in the big scary ocean, and to Tina Broad and the Sing Express Sisters, whose enthusiasm is contagious and helped me find my big girl voice!
What’s something people may not know about you?
I was born behind the Iron Curtain in East Germany, and moving to Australia at a young age shaped me in ways I appreciate more as I get older. Its given me a strong appreciation for things like free speech, being politically engaged, environmental issues, public education, healthcare and the importance of being able to question ideas and authority openly.
At the same time, arriving in a new country without language or cultural familiarity gave me empathy for what it feels like to be an outsider and how to make friends quickly — and growing up in culturally diverse part of Sydney taught me a lot about community, resilience and inequality.
What’s one thing currently bringing you joy?
Just one thing?! Thats impossible! Right now I’m loving rediscovering fiction through my book clubs after years of reading mostly science reports and policy papers. Free diving has also become a huge passion, slowly building courage alongside an amazing group of local women while diving with seals and grey nurse sharks. And our “Dance Like Nobody’s Watching” nights at the Milton CWA have become one of my favourite things - just music, movement and people having fun together.
📸 Photo captions:
1️⃣ Dani with her husband and two boys. Photographed by Little Folk Photography.
2️⃣ Dani with some of her fellow Journey Strong Bootcamp crew at Narrawallee Beach.
3️⃣ Dani with her fellow "Ducklings" during a Drawn2Water course, building confidence, skills and friendships in the ocean.
