At the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence (NCIE) we are lucky to work with men and women who live and breathe excellence, leading change and inspiring the next generation of Indigenous leaders and change makers everyday.
To celebrate International Women’s Day 2020, meet five women working across NCIE programs challenging themselves and empowering others to strive for excellence every day.
Meet Chantelle O’Donohoe, Indigenous Digital Excellence (IDX) Program
Chantelle O’Donohoe is a proud Nukunu woman from Port Augusta, South Australia. As a member of NCIE’s IDX Program, Chantelle delivers digital making workshops to Indigenous young people. Passionate about embedding Indigenous knowledge in learning, Chantelle is studying secondary STEM education at the University of Technology Sydney.
“After taking on my role at IDX I found my passion within STEM education and the education of Indigenous youth. I have taken the steps towards pursuing this as an ongoing career and have returned to study Secondary STEM Education at the University of Technology Sydney. With a long term plan in mind to share my passion about the potential of STEM along with its career opportunities and ignite the spark to get involved. I am also undertaking external study to provide STEM education with an Indigenous cultural lens to ensure that our upcoming leaders can provide more culturally aware services and embed Indigenous knowledge into their education”
Meet Tylah Mundine, Talking About Tobacco Use (TATU) Program
Tylah is a Bundjalung woman, born and raised in Sydney. As the Communications Officer for NCIE’s TATU program you will often find Tylah with a camera in her hand.
“My name is Tylah Mundine. I’m a proud Bundjalung woman, born and raised in Sydney. For the past 2 years, I’ve been working as the Communications Officer for Talking About Tobacco Use at NCIE. I have a passion for 3 things; family, basketball and Indigenous health/wellbeing. I think that cultural identity is equally as important as other dimensions of health that we learn about at school. In the future, I’m looking to see Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women (and men) in the spotlight of the workforce, doctors, lawyers and other high profile positions – because we are amazing, we can do anything and community would benefit.”
Meet Tess Reading, Indigenous Digital Excellence (IDX) Champion and Facilitator
Tess is a proud Gomeroi woman and a mother from Tamworth, NSW. Tess was a participant in NCIE’s IDX program when the team visited Tamworth in 2017 to deliver digital training. Since she has gone on to complete her remote pilot licence and build her business as a photographer and graphic designer. As an IDX Champion she is passionate about sharing her interest and skills in using technology with other people in and beyond her community.
“I am a proud Gomeroi woman and a mother of three beautiful children from Tamworth, NSW. I am an established Graphic Designer and Photographer around North West NSW and I’m an artist. Over the past 10 years I have studied in the media and graphic design fields. I believe the Flint Program is extremely beneficial for our communities to learn and develop skills, as well as to create valuable connections with other Indigenous people across Australia. I am looking forward to using my drone licence and to practicing these skills, along with all the other technology.”
Meet Eden Mashman-Woods, Personal Trainer, Swim Instructor, Lifeguard and Duty Manager
Eden is a proud Yuin woman who does so much at NCIE. From working in the pool as a lifeguard and swim instructor to becoming a graduate of NCIE’s Job Ready program last year and qualifying as a personal trainer, Eden is always a friendly face you will see around the site.
“I am a proud Yuin women. I’m a Personal Trainer, Duty Manager, Swimming Instructor and Lifeguard at NCIE. I have a passion for fitness, and love running Group Fitness Classes in the gym. I’ve worked at NCIE for the past 3 years and have loved every minute of it. I believe the centre has something for everyone. I hope to keep going higher within NCIE, and be a role model within the Indigenous community.”
Meet Min, NCIE Fitness Reception
When you visit NCIE Fitness you are likely to be greeted by Min, a Gamilaroi and Yuin woman living and working in Sydney.
“I am a proud Gamilaroi and Yuin woman. I’ve been a receptionist here at NCIE for a little over a year now. Before working here I felt like an outcast in my own community, because I didn’t grow up there. Working here gives me a sense of belonging.”