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Disability advocate Peta Hooke is more than happy to answer your questions about disabilities. In fact she's created an entire podcast dedicated to educating people about disability awareness, inclusion and equality. Through The I Can't Stand Podcast, Peta openly shares with the world her experience of disability life. This includes discussions about mobility aids, support workers, accessible housing, Centrelink, inaccessibility of airlines and dating with a disability. She's also spoken with an array of disability advocates including Carly Findlay, Lisa Cox, Senator Jordan Steele John, Hannah Diviney, Eliza Rain and Tamsin Colley - just to name a few.
But like any public figure - there's more to Peta than her advocacy work. She enjoys a margarita with her friends in Melbourne. She has a big crush on Roger Federer. And she dreams of one day becoming the first outwardly disabled Bachelorette. So here is everything you need to know about Peta Hooke.
What was the first unnecessary thing you bought when you moved out of home?
It was frivolous because I’ll never get to use it - a couch. I bought a beautiful navy blue couch that I saved up years and years to buy it. I get to look at it, I don’t get to use it, but guests can use it.
What’s on your TikTok FYP/feed at the moment?
Travel and packing.
Favourite brand at the moment.
You can’t go past a well made shirt from Witchery.
Favourite AFL team?
I’m a Geelong supporter through and through.
What’s the weirdest question/comment you’ve been asked regarding your disability?
I was only young, maybe 17, a support worker asked me why do I still have a period because someone like me shouldn’t have a period. That was really hard. I didn’t have the language to articulate why I have the right to have a period.
What’s your biggest pet peeve when driving?
Having to fill it up with petrol - it’s always cold and it’s always raining.
Describe drunk Peta in a sentence.
Giggly, forgetful and runs into a lot of walls.
If you could appear on any reality TV show - what would it be?
I’ve always jokingly said The Bachelorette. I would love to be the first outwardly disabled female on the show. And lets be honest my dating life needs the help.
If you could interview anyone in the world and they had to answer your questions honestly - who would you interview?
From the disability world I would love to interview Dylan Alcott and see how he felt as Australian of the Year whether he felt he was heard and listened to. From a frivolous point of view I would love to interview Kate Middleton and get the gossip.
You’ve openly spoken about your experience with Centrelink. Describe Centrelink’s treatment of the disability community.
I don’t like to speak for other people but from my experience I found it be really confusing. There’s a lot of bureaucracy and no one can give you a straight answer. They can say something and it can change your whole life. You constantly have to prove over the phone that you’re not lying, so there’s mistrust there as soon as you pick up the phone.
I have to prove my disability every time I have to go into a physical meeting. I’m sorry did I miss the news that they cured cerebral palsy - it’s a lifelong condition, it doesn’t change. No wonder there’s such mistrust when they don’t even believe I have this lifelong condition.
What’s your go to Sunday brunch meal?
I always have scrambled eggs with a side of mushrooms.
What’s your go to dance move?
I love a little jiggle and I love to move the boobs around when needed.
Favourite feel good movie?
Pretty Woman.
What’s your favourite travel destination?
Wherever I’m going next.
How do you take your coffee?
Black with no sugar.
Your friends call you Peta Margarita. What’s your favourite place to get a good margarita?
I have a really weird rule with my friends - we try to never go to any place twice. I’m very blessed I live In Melbourne. So my next favourite place to get a margarita is wherever we’re going next.
You say you never leave the house without wearing lipstick. What’s your go to lipstick brand?
I’m a Mac girl through and through.
Would you rather edit a podcast for an hour or do emails for an hour?
That definitely has to be answering emails.
In high school you ransacked a teacher's office because he was mean to you - what happened?
He just playfully picked on me all year and it got to the point I thought I need to get him back. So I got the principal’s permission and I got two able bodied friends to help me. We stuck the principal’s permission on his computer screen. We were in opposing houses - he was in red house and I was in yellow. We ransacked his office with yellow - yellow streamers, yellow glitter, yellow paper. The whole office was covered in yellow.
Name a celebrity/inspirational figure that would make you *fan girl* if you ever met them?
My hall pass for life is Rodger Federa .
Favourite and least favourite thing about Melbourne.
There’s always something to do - as soon as something ends something starts. But in saying that I hate the cold so much.
And lastly, what are some career goals you’ve recently achieved?
Being part of the Melbourne Fashion Festival - not only hosting an event and interviewing James Parr but also proving all bodies are beautiful with the flash mob.
Name a celebrity/inspirational figure that would make you *fan girl* if you ever met them?
My hall pass for life is Rodger Federa .
Favourite and least favourite thing about Melbourne.
There’s always something to do - as soon as something ends something starts. But in saying that I hate the cold so much.
And lastly, what are some career goals you’ve recently achieved?
Being part of the Melbourne Fashion Festival - not only hosting an event and interviewing James Parr but also proving all bodies are beautiful with the flash mob.
Make sure to check out Peta Hooke's podcast, 'I Can't Stand.' Available now wherever you listen to your podcasts.
You can also find Peta on Instagram and on her website icantstandpodcast.com