When fungi led to cyber security, Melissa Larkins knew her career path was anything but conventional.

Growing up in regional Victoria, she never imagined she’d one day be helping shape Canberra’s technology future.

“I was in a microbiology lab, and we were doing microscopy that day,” Melissa recalls. “I looked at some mushroom samples under the microscope and I was like, ‘Wow, that’s pretty – that’s what I want to study.'”

That curiosity led her from studying edible mushrooms around power stations to teaching English in Japan, and eventually to Canberra, where she discovered an unexpected passion for cyber security and technology innovation.

Like many others, Melissa was drawn to Canberra by the opportunity to study Science Communication at the Australian National University. What she found was a city that gave her the space to explore new directions and reinvent herself professionally.

“What amazes me about Canberra is that it’s the heart of everything,” she says. “We have all of the government here, Defence, AFP, and a whole heap of businesses developing really innovative products. Then we have ANU, UC, UNSW Canberra and CIT all promoting technology in different ways.”

Now, as Partnership Manager at Canberra Cyber Hub, Melissa connects people and organisations across the city’s innovation ecosystem. Her days might include hosting international delegations, meeting with start-up founders, or helping people transition into cyber security careers.

“I’ve had to meet some really great people,” she shares. “I’ve got to meet Andrew Barr, I’ve been to events at Parliament House, met with embassy staff. What I really enjoy is I get to meet so many different people.”

For Melissa, Canberra’s advantage lies in its collaborative spirit. “Having come from Melbourne, living there was hard – everyone’s very dispersed.

What Canberra has going for it is it’s a lot smaller, so there are opportunities for people to work together and build those relationships. Everyone I have met is working towards a shared goal and eager to learn from each other. There’s plenty of opportunities here.

Beyond the professional opportunities, she’s found a city that offers room to breathe and space for creativity. “In Canberra, there’s a lot on, but you’ve also got that space to be able to do your own thing,” she reflects.

“If you are in Canberra, your skills are very highly valued, and who you are as a person is very highly valued. I’ve not necessarily found that in other places.

It’s a journey that perfectly captures Canberra’s promise: a place where unconventional paths are celebrated, where community connections run deep, and where there’s always room to grow into something new.