Noonan (Brawn)

Footy Fanatic

Laura, Noonan, Noons might go by many names, but she wants to be the Noonan people remember from Survivor.

Growing up in the Mornington Peninsula, the Noonan family are well known personalities. Dad is a horse trainer, Mum is a costume designer, her eldest brother is an actor, another brother is a well-known teacher and another is a jockey. Safe to say, so growing up as the last Noonan hasn’t always been easy for Laura.

She says, “Everyone knows my family and then there’s me and nobody knows who I am unless you come down to the footy club. But day to day, people are shocked when I say I’m Laura Noonan and there’s a fourth Noonan, not just the boys. I felt like I didn’t contribute much to the family name and any function, people thought I was the hired help.

“For a long time, Survivor has been my identity – the Noonan that’s obsessed with Survivor. People would joke about it and now sitting here, who’s laughing now? I’m the one who is here and it’s brilliant! I want to be remembered as the fun loving, over the top, girl obsessed with Survivor.”

A learning support officer, Noonan helps students with learning difficulties.