First Nations Focus Story collection
NAIDOC Week 2025 – Stories of impact
To mark NAIDOC Week 2025, TDA is proud to showcase the efforts of its members who are partnering with communities to drive long-term change and development.
Through this story collection, TDA members share inspiring examples of how their organisations are making a positive impact within communities.
TDA is proud to highlight the vital role inclusive education plays in empowering First Nations peoples and improving outcomes. TDA acknowledges and celebrates the achievements of all First Nations students, staff, and communities working to advance learning and opportunity for everyone.
TasTAFE
A proud pakana man from nipaluna / Hobart, Harley Mansell works as a tour guide with wukalina Walk, a 4-day Aboriginal-owned guided cultural walk in north-east lutruwita / Tasmania.
Harley completed his Certificate III in Guiding at TasTAFE in 2024 and has become a strong advocate for VET within his community – but it took him a while to find this pathway.
“When I graduated from school back in 2005, I did a bit of cherry picking down in the Huon Valley,” Harley said. “A bit of factory work, a bit of trade work now and then… But I never really found my feet in my20s. Then I went back to TAFE in my 30s, and look at where it’s leading now – I’m doing good things.”
TAFE SA
TAFE SA training across the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands, in the remote north-west of South Australia, is guided by the Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Education Committee (PYEC) and is helping Anangu develop practical skills in sectors such as health and construction which are being used to benefit local communities.
This training can include short courses, skill sets and qualifications, which are delivered at TAFE SA learning centres at Amata, Ernabella, Fregon, Indulkana, Kalka Pipalyatjara and Mimili by lecturers who live in the community.
TAFE Queensland
Proud Gamilaroi woman Selina Combite is dedicated to improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families through her work in child safety at ATSICHS Logan. With support from a partnership between ATSICHS and TAFE Queensland, Selina completed a Diploma of Child, Youth and Family Intervention, delivered in a culturally safe environment by inspiring trainer Deb Stephens.
The training built Selina’s confidence, formalised her skills, and equipped her to give families a stronger voice in the child safety system. Now focused on domestic violence prevention, Selina continues to channel her culture, compassion, and growing expertise to strengthen her community every day.
TAFE NSW
Aunty Beth, a proud Gamilaraay and Wayilwan woman, has dedicated her life to the revival and teaching of Indigenous languages, profoundly influencing communities across north-western New South Wales.
Aunty Beth’s story began in Walgett, where she first learned Gamilaraay from her mother. Despite the risks and challenges of speaking the language during difficult times, she remained steadfast in her commitment to her cultural heritage. Her unwavering dedication to language and culture eventually led her to break new ground as the first Aboriginal language teacher employed by TAFE NSW in 2010.
TAFE NSW
The Koori Writing Group, is one of TAFE NSW Taree’s innovative programs. It’s having a positive impact on the lives of Aboriginal people by empowering them to share their stories in their own words and communication styles.
Through the Koori Writing Group, participants have the opportunity to write and publish their stories, capturing their unique experiences as Aboriginal people. These stories are then compiled into books, which are distributed to families, friends, and local TAFE NSW libraries.
TAFE Gippsland
After losing his 19-year-old son, Alan Webb was overwhelmed by grief and anger, facing a possible prison sentence. Instead, he joined Wulgunggo Ngalu Learning Place — a culturally safe space for Aboriginal men — where he began healing through writing and cultural reconnection.
His poem The fire of knowledge, now displayed at TAFE Gippsland and Wulgunggo Ngalu, symbolises his transformation. Alan also took part in horticulture training and is now studying a Certificate IV in Professional Writing and Editing.
Supported by Wulgunggo Ngalu and TAFE Gippsland, Alan’s story shows the life-changing impact of culturally responsive education and support.
SM TAFE
Adrienne (Ady) Viti, a proud South Sea Islander and Noongar woman, embodies the NAIDOC Week 2025 theme “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy.” While raising two children, caring for her father, and working full-time at Rio Tinto, Ady completed the Certificate IV in Leadership and Mentoring at SM TAFE.
The culturally safe program helped her grow in confidence and formalise her natural mentoring skills. Now a Program Advisor ATAL at Rio Tinto and winner of SM TAFE’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year Award, Ady supports young Indigenous people to overcome barriers and build strong futures.
CR TAFE
Central Regional TAFE (CRTAFE), in collaboration with Bundi Yamatji Aboriginal Corporation (BYAC) and funded by an Australian Government Our Marine Parks Grant, developed a training program to assist emerging Yamatji Sea Rangers build their capacity to manage their traditional Sea Country, understand the biocultural values of the Abrolhos Marine Park, and be active participants in its management.
Charles Darwin University
Skill shortages in remote areas means that something as simple as repairing a leaky tap can cost thousands of dollars.
A new program from Charles Darwin University, is offering people training in some of the skills that would otherwise require a contractor, who might have to travel hundreds of kilometres to provide services costing thousands of dollars.
The Northern Territory Government provided Charles Darwin University (CDU) funds to deliver in-community training to expand On Country skills at seven remote Community Hubs that service more than 20 remote communities.
First Nations Focus 2024 - story collection
TDA celebrates the achievements of First Nations staff within its member organisations, through this First Nations Focus 2024 story collection.
Members in every State and Territory of Australia have contributed accounts of the wonderful work of their First Nations staff, whether as individuals or teams, who are making a difference.
TDA is proud to draw your focus to the crucial role inclusive education plays in improving outcomes for our first Australians. We congratulate all First Nations students, staff and communities who are helping to accelerate learning and growth for all.
TAFE Queensland
For Morgan Cotter, TAFE Queensland was where it all began, and now she feels privileged to be able to help First Nations students get the most out of their study journey.
Morgan recently took on the role of Indigenous Outcomes Officer for TAFE Queensland’s Brisbane region, a move that she describes as coming full circle after first stepping through the doors as a teen studying her senior school certificate and in desperate need of motivation and guidance.
Holmesglen Institute
Koorie Student Support Officers Luke Morgan and Kaycee Ah Kit from Victoria’s Holmesglen Institute are setting new standards in assisting First Nation learners.
For the past two years, Luke and Kaycee have worked with Holmesglen’s teachers to lift engagement and retention among Koorie learners through support and advocacy. Having undertaken their own study journey at TAFE, they have added a new dimension to their work.
Box Hill Institute
Box Hill Institute’s (BHI) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Unit (ATSIU) has introduced a robust case management system called ‘PACS’ (Pastoral Academic and Cultural Support) that has significantly increased engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
Canberra Institute of Technology
Through her own experiences in community and family, Melissa Bulger, a Ngunnawal/Wiradjuri woman considered the contribution and change she could bring to youth justice. Mel knew knowledge is power. Empathy and care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and finding their potential and enthusiasm for education was the fuel behind this initiative.
TAFE NSW
Kristy Perkins is a proud Gumbaynggirr woman who works on Bundjalung Country as an Aboriginal Education and Engagement Coordinator at TAFE NSW.
She is passionate about Closing The Gap (CTG) through education and Aboriginal economic development opportunities, something she sees as a benefit to both the communities she works with and the TAFE NSW community.
TAFE SA
In his role as TAFE SA‘s Aboriginal Engagement Consultant, Clayton Dodd has spent the past two years strengthening ties with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and stakeholders and applying a “cultural lens” to projects and programs.
TasTAFE
Melythina Tiakana Warrana Aboriginal Corporation (MTWAC) is partnering with TasTAFE to provide training for Aboriginal people to become trainee rangers and care for the area around Tebrakunna (Cape Portland) at the north-eastern tip of Tasmania.
TAFE Queensland
Indigenous Student Support Officer and TAFE Queensland employee of more than two decades, Tammy Rasmussen, has spent a lifetime championing culturally safe learning environments and great training outcomes for First Nations students.
Federation University
Yorta Yorta woman, Ruby Bending-Norman’s dedication and commitment has proved an inspiration for her Indigenous peers and shown that forging the career of your dreams is always possible.
Ruby thought she had no chance of ever studying at university but is now well on the path to further post-secondary education.
Charles Darwin University
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.
TAFE NSW
TAFE NSW Aboriginal Learner Support Officer Anita Brunhuber is passionate about keeping the Dhurga language alive for future generations and through her work is educating a community of like-minded people.
In 2022, Anita was instrumental in helping establish the successful Dhurga language classes delivered out of TAFE NSW Moruya for communities on the South Coast.
TasTAFE
Thousands of TasTAFE students have had the opportunity to improve their understanding and knowledge of Tasmanian Aboriginal culture thanks to a suite of training offered by the Aboriginal Support Programs team.
TasTAFE’s dedicated Aboriginal Support team have delivered Cultural Awareness Training to more than 2500 students since 2019, with the purpose of the training being two-fold.
North Metropolitan TAFE
There’s a big spark ready to ignite First Nations’ futures at North Metropolitan TAFE! Discover how the Koomba Birdal program is connecting First Nations students and mentors to light the path to a bright future.
TAFE Queensland
Supporting the vocational education and training goals of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people has been Jo Savage’s mission at TAFE Queensland for more than two decades.
Through hard work, determination and passion, Jo rose through the ranks and ensured that giving back to her community was at the heart of her every move.
First Nations Focus 2023 - story collection
Past student continues as mentor and TasTAFE supporter – TasTAFE
Djuker Willis-Hart is a proud First Nations man who is using his experience and expertise as a walking guide to help his peers in his community build their own careers.
A guide by trade and a guide by nature, Djuker is a living example of this year’s theme for Reconciliation Week: ‘Be a Voice for Generations”.
Refreshing new career – TAFE Queensland
Refrigeration technician Jennah Halley is making her mark in a male-dominated industry. Jennah, a proud Aboriginal woman, accidentally fell in love with her trade. What began by helping her brother turned into a fulfilling career.
Carley’s journey to success – Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT)
Canberra Institute of Technology’s Yurauna Centre provides First Nations students with supportive teachers, a reassuring environment and on-site childcare. These proved vital to Carley, who has faced personal trauma, enabling her to access the education that helped her thrive.
