Charles Darwin University
Working with community to reduce family violence
Proud Kirrae Whurrong, Gundijitmarra, Gunai Kurnai woman Tanya McDonald teaches First Nations students working in the community services sector in Alice Springs to help reduce family violence.
The Charles Darwin University (CDU) VET Lecturer in Health and Community Services is one of the first female First Nations TAFE lecturers to join the University in Alice Springs.
The mother of four from Southwest Victoria is related to the singer Archie Roach who is famous for the song Took the Children Away. Her mother is from East Gippsland, and related to Banjo Patterson, with her family originally living on country along the Snowy River.
Ms McDonald has defied the odds, after escaping a violent situation she enrolled in a Diploma of Community Services. It was during this time that she realised her passion for the sector.
In 2019, Ms McDonald was awarded Victorian Koori Student of the Year. She went on to study a Diploma in Family Therapy and later gained a teaching qualification that has led her to her education role with CDU.
“There was a real determination to get myself out of the situation I was in, and when I saw that there weren’t many Indigenous people in my field, that gave me the extra push I needed to finish my degree, and move into teaching,” Ms McDonald said.
Ms McDonald believes it is critical for CDU to have staff members and educators who identify as First Nations working in the Territory.
“We have a number of First Nations students at CDU, and our numbers are increasing,” Ms McDonald said.
Ms McDonald is currently teaching students from a range of local organisations in Alice Springs including government employees and has seen more First Nations students starting careers in the community services space.
“It doesn’t matter where you come from or what you’ve experienced in the past – you are worthy of a career like this and have a lot to offer someone going through a tough time,” she said.
“As Indigenous people, we have to work a bit harder and try a bit harder to overcome the obstacles, but it’s possible to overcome what you’ve been through and find a better path.”
CDU-TAFE Team Leader for Health and Community Services Danielle Doughty said that one of Ms McDonald’s standout qualities is her ability to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment where every student feels valued and respected.
“Her dedication to empowering the next generation of professionals in this field is evident in the way she mentors and guides her students, instilling in them not only knowledge but also empathy and cultural competence,” Ms Doughty said.
“She has a deep commitment to embedding Indigenous perspectives in CDU TAFE Health and Community Services education and goes above and beyond to ensure that First Nations voices are honoured within the University.”
