Summa Naylor www.firstnationstelegraph.com
Nura Gili Student Support and Outreach Officer
Interview with Rebecca Harcourt
Where did you grow up? I’m from Armidale, born and raised in a small country town. It’s not as small as some but small in comparison to the big city. We
moved to Sydney when I was 15 and wow, we left 2 traffic lights and around 10 roundabouts for endless traffic lights and endless roundabouts! It was a big change and I’m glad to have two places to call home, the city life does agree
with me but I still love getting home when I can. When did you first start working at Nura Gili? I began working at Nura Gili in 2004, I turned 21 the year I started and I just turned 30 this year. That’s got to say something about Nura Gili - it’s an awesome community, family and people orientated workplace! Tell us a little bit about your current role. I’m the Student Support and Outreach Officer. I’m here to support current and future Indigenous students at UNSW. Supporting current students throughout their program at UNSW with all enquiries, there’s nothing we can’t handle - if we can’t help we’ll refer you to someone who can and if we don’t know anyone who can, we’ll find out. We have a close working relationship with faculties and facilities including the Hub, Aspire and UNSW Medical Service to ensure we can assist our students well by working together. I also support future students through programs, presentations and events. I coordinate a Science and Engineering program for Indigenous students in years 7-9. This program aims to stimulate interest in the areas of mathematics, engineering, technology and science. I also contribute and assist the team with supervising and facilitating; UNSW Indigenous Winter School, UNSW Indigenous Pre Programs and UNSW Indigenous Spring Forum. I work very closely alongside
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Leearna Williams our Recruitment Officer to attend school visits, expo’s and community events, I love getting out into the community and schools, it’s a definite reward when we head out to schools and meet the future leaders of the world. Students are becoming more engaged and seemingly motivated and clear on what they want to do after school. • Different programs you are involved in/ facilitate etc • Different people you work with here at UNSW- Nura Gili , Faculties , the HUB, ASPIRE • Externally in outreach work / programs etc What is the highlight for you about working here? A highlight would definitely and ultimately be knowing that someone is going to inspire you. Coming in seeing how hard students are working to achieve their goals is inspiration enough and sometimes I’ll read an application from a prospective student or have a yarn to a student and their words whether written or spoken have reached me. You know
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you’re on the right path when you get to take something away from your job.
fierce and independent woman whose values are stamped within me.
What are your top tips for new students at Nura Gili, UNSW just starting their studies? Ask questions, seek assistance when you need it and make yourself aware of all services available to you. If you don’t ask, you won’t know.
What does Nura Gili mean for you? Nura Gili means all things positive. It means acceptance, integrity, pride and the list is endless. These are the things I feel when I think of Nura Gili and they’re exactly the same things I feel within my home and family life. I’m a proud Nura Gili fan! I recently came back from leave as I was home with my son so it’s been great to see some familiar faces and also get to know some of the new faces, I had a long 20 month break but I have jumped back in head first as always and I’m loving it!!! When I returned to work we were still at the house on the corner of Botany and High Street’s and I am happy I returned in time to be a part of the move to our modern and very visible awesome new home on campus. Our new home is great, we have a great spot, awesome space and loads of traffic, it’s great to see students piling in to work and socialise with each other.
What are your top tips for Indigenous students in primary and high schools? Work hard, try your best and talk to your parents, family and teachers about your interests. If you’re interested in Science, Drama or whatever your interests may be, there may be after school activities within your community that you can attend. Who are your role models? My role model is my Mum, she doesn’t know the words ‘no’ or ‘can’t’, they aren’t in her vocabulary. There’s nothing she won’t attempt and there’s no-one that she won’t help. She’s a strong