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Jessica Kitch, Nura Gili UNSW Arts Law student
by Rebecca Harcourt
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nsights into life and times of Jessica Kitch, Nura Gili UNSW Arts Law student: Where are you from/where did you grow up? I am a Wiradjuri woman from Wellington, near Dubbo. I have lived in Wellington since I was 10 years old. Before that I was living in Liverpool, Casula. What are you currently studying? I am in my second year at UNSW but my first year of Arts/ Law degree. Last year I completed the Diploma of Humanities. What motivated you to come and study at UNSW? Winter School did it for me. I attended UNSW Indigenous Winter School in 2011 when I was in year 12 and it was the best experience. I loved the atmosphere especially when we were all gathered in one place and I felt more at home because of the ‘Nura Gili family.’ If it were not for the Nura Gili family, I probably would not have studied here. It helps with homesickness a lot especially with fellow-Welloites like Mick, Cheryl, Monique and Tjanara. I also did UNSW Indigenous Preprograms in 2011 and again, that familiar bond was still strong. It was good because going to Winter School meant that I already knew a few people in my Pre-programs law classes. I’m still really good friends with everyone I did pre-programs with! Every function at Nura Gili is a good laugh- with last year’s Halloween party a real highlight. When did you first get involved
at the PCYC Wellington? My Mum got a job there when I was in high school. I became involved by being there and participating in the activities. As I became older, I started helping out with Kidzcare and other activities like dances. I have volunteered at the Wellington PCYC for about three years now. Kathryn, the current manager asked me to help out because there were too many kids and when they take them for excursions they can get a little excited and slightly out-of-hand. What are some of the highlights and challenges of volunteering? With Kidzcare especially I prepare food, supervise, play games, do arts and crafts and have a laugh the entire time, they’re all such characters. I did have a kid once say he was going to poison me and cast a spell on me... it was a laugh though. There is no real downside to helping out especially when it comes to children. I want to encourage participation at the PCYC for the younger generations because then they will have somewhere to go and something
to do if they need that. It is always good seeing the police interact with the kiddies. Sometimes they see the cops for the first time and get a little scared because some parents warn children if they are bad the police will take them away, but then they talk with them and become more familiar with the kids. This means if they are ever in trouble, they know that they can turn to the police. I also volunteer at socials and events, running the canteen or BBQ at fundraisers. I have also been to the Wellington PCYC’s Ball as a speaker and performer. Congratulations on being chosen as the NSW PCYC representative to attend the One Young World Youth Summit in Johannesburg in October this year- how were you nominated? I was nominated to attend the Bluestar program.by the police officer at Wellington and the PCYC Manager. Bluestar is a leadership program organised by PCYC and it involves selecting youth to attend 4 camps over the year. From the Page 1
camps, two people, one boy and one girls are chosen to be youth delegates for the NSW PCYC. This involves attending functions and attending the Bluestar camps again as a supervisor. It also involves meeting with the PCYC Board and discussing our experiences in PCYC and as a youth delegate. On the 13th of April I attended the PCYC’s annual gala dinner. At this dinner I met and introduced the premier of NSW, The Hon. Barry O’Farrell MP, Premier of New South Wales and Minister for Western Sydney. I also met Jack Vidgen and Shelly Craft. It was here that the PCYC CEO Chris Gardiner announced that I would be attending the youth conference in Johannesburg from the 2nd - 5th October 2013. Possibly one of the most exciting things of my life because I’ve never been overseas before! I’m going along with the male youth delegate, Josh, who is from Sutherland as well as a boy called Ater who has been involved in Mr Gardiner’s Sudanese program. At this conference there are people from all over the world. At last
year’s summit held in Pittsburg, USA over 1500 delegates attended. I am definitely looking forward to the speakers and hearing what they have to say about issues around the world. Who are your role models? As cliché as this may sound, my role models are my Mum and my Aunty. These two women are so resilient and have nothing but love, especially when it comes to family. They have been through hard times, really hard times, but they still manage to keep things together. They’re so resilient and strong that it just makes me proud to be part of the family. Also my Pop who keeps his head up and works his bum off! I wouldn’t be as funny, cheeky if he wasn’t around. What would you like to be doing in 5 years? In 5 years I would have finished uni. I would like to be working in a top tier law firm and be able buy my Mum the farm she has always wanted; a place where my little sister could feel at home in and always call home.
Any tips for young Indigenous people considering their future? There are going to be times that you don’t feel like you deserve to be doing things, whether it is studying or going overseas, or just any opportunity really. Get over it and embrace it! Things happen for a reason and make your family and community proud, give the kids someone they can look up to. Anytime you feel like giving up, talk to someone. Nura Gili is a place that you can go to if you want someone to talk to whether it be students in the same year as you, students older than you, the staff or even Mama Cheryl. This is what helped me get through my first year of uni. Would you recommend others to come and study at Nura Gili, UNSW ? Definitely! For me, my Mum’s family are really close, so moving when I was 17 to come to Sydney was scary. Nura Gili is like my family and I wouldn’t be where I am now and I certainly wouldn’t be getting the opportunities I am if it weren’t for Mama Cheryl and the crew.