Sally-Anne Stollznow

Drawn to social work by a deep desire to help vulnerable people and communities, Sally-Anne Stollznow is making a significant impact through creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Sally-Ann completed a Bachelor of Social Science (Welfare) in 2012, a Master of Social Work in 2015, and a Master of Child and Adolescent Welfare in 2023, all at Charles Sturt. For almost a decade, she has served her home region of Port Stephens as a tireless social worker with Services Australia, spanning everything from child protection, policy authoring, field education, out-servicing, families, disability, crisis support and disaster recovery.

“The broadness of social work has taken me in many directions, all with their joys and challenges. I have however found my passion in supporting families that enter the early intervention phase with disabled children,” she shares.

A Guppi Guppi woman living and working on Worimi country, Sally-Anne’s advocacy work is now focused on the social impacts of disability, particularly those with neurodivergence. She has lived experience of the challenges this brings; her young son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at age four.

Sally-Anne quickly identified a significant gap in the early intervention space: many very young children were engaging in therapies without understanding why. She poured her creativity into developing, authoring and publishing Sid Goes to Kitty Land, an innovative children’s book introducing autism and associated therapies to young children.

Published under pen name Sally Marshall, the story takes children on a joyful journey through a neurodiverse land, explaining different types of brains and what they need to thrive. Well-received by the neurodivergent community, the book has been distributed through schools, regional libraries and other community services across the Port Stephens area.

Sally-Anne’s commitment to making a difference in her local community was highlighted at Port Stephen’s Local Woman of the Year event in 2023 . In 2024, she was awarded the Port Stephens International Women’s Day Scholarship. She used the funds to provide a copy of her book to every local school library and publish a second book titled Sid’s Friend Belle, which explores autism and friendship.

Sally-Anne founded Wellness Through Fortitude in 2022 as a platform to offer her books, specially designed NDIS participant planner and other resources to support children and families.

“The sense of personal reward, of joy, when you watch someone advocate for themselves and meet their set goals is nothing short of humbling and incredible,” she says.