I am a proud Bunurong woman from Point Nepean and Palawa from the Islands of Bass Strait with a lengthy career supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in work, education, and life their journey.
I have worked extensively in the Centrelink space for 13 years and strongly committed to working alongside community organisations, developing partnerships, and building cultural capacity. I strive to give Aboriginal people a voice through mentoring employment and education with the aim of closing the gap.
I am a Mother, an Aunty, a Sister and a Daughter. However more than anything I am a proud Aboriginal woman. I want to see my people succeed in employment and education so the world can see just how amazing our people are and how living in two worlds can be achieved.
My passion comes from my mother and father. My father Japanangka errol West who left a legacy in Education. He was known as the education warrior. I follow his footsteps, as do his other 6 children and 10 grandchildren and everyday he walks alongside me in the dreamtime.
In his Thesis he wrote “I first acknowledge the motivation to write, is the obligation I have to all my beautiful children. There are twelve living and some in the spiritual world and to them I dedicate this thesis with the expectation that their lives overall will be richer than mine”.
I am richer for I am Aboriginal and have a culture that is both tangible and intangible in both worlds.
The best journey we can have is the journey of our self within culture.
