My mantra in life comes from Mahatma Gandhi: "Be the change you want to see in the world". I keep a photo of Gandhi on my desk to remind myself of this at all times. My father is Indian, so I have a special affinity with the freedom fighter.
The mantra guided me when I was stationed in Iraq as an army lawyer in 2005. As many people know, I negotiated the release of two kidnapped British SAS operatives. My colleague got a Military Cross after the ordeal and I got a hug from my boss. I later sued the British Army for sexism and racism and settled out of court.
The matter is at the heart of my autobiography, Equal Justice. I was a reluctant author because I wasn't sure my story was of interest to anyone. I was working full-time as a lawyer then so I'd write before my children awoke and after they went to bed. I was touched and humbled when it became a bestseller. 
It is being made into a movie but rumours that Angelina Jolie will play my character are not true. It has not been cast yet. The book made me realise the power of storytelling, and that was behind my decision to give up law and become a full-time speaker, mostly on the subjects of resilience and leadership. 
Through professional speaking and community and advocacy work, I hope to inspire others to create their own ripples of change to help those in need.
A photo of my husband and my triplet sons sits by the window. They are the centre of my world and my raison d'etre. I also keep a photo of my sponsor child, a little Indian girl called Bindu, to remind me we all have the power to change at least one life and that we are blessed to live in Australia.
The certificate for being a 2016 Australian of the Year finalist hangs in my office. For so long I believed being a good Aussie meant distancing myself from my heritage. It wasn't until I reached my 30s that I realised the only way to thrive in life is to embrace everything about oneself and to be true to one's values. This award is confirmation of that for me and an acknowledgement that the work I do matters.
The Sally Morgan print is the one item I have taken with me all over the world. Morgan has taught us all so much about Aboriginal culture. The print pays tribute to indigenous people as the custodians of the land.