What's your job about?
Administering grants to researchers and organisations to attribute to the conservation of Australian Marine Parks.
I provide the ongoing management and administration of 24 grants across all of Australia’s Marine and Island Parks worth over $11 million. This involves the monitoring of ongoing work by the grantee and liaising/engaging with stakeholders in the field to ensure the best outcome of each grant is achieved.
What's your background?
I grew up in regional and remote NSW before my family moved intrastate to Nelson Bay where my love for the ocean began. University is where I got to choose subjects to study in an area I cared about and was passionate about pursuing a career in.
I completed the 2020 graduate program with the department and did my fourth and last rotation with this team. From there I was offered an ongoing role which has now seen me relocate to the Hobart office where the Marine and Island Parks office is based.
Choosing to move to Hobart was one of the greatest choices for my life and the career I have made so far. I chose to take the risk and move away from family to be closer to the action and to surround myself with people who are like-minded and are all working towards the same conservation goals as I am trying to achieve.
Could someone with a different background do your job?
A hundred per cent they could, all any job takes is passion and dedication. If you apply yourself to your work and are passionate about what you are doing you can do anything you set your mind to.
Did you face any obstacles as an Indigenous student/graduate?
Not within the department. I have received many great opportunities such as visiting remote Aboriginal communities to see how work is being done by Traditional Owners on their land now that it has been handed back into their care.
Has your Indigenous heritage been a factor in your job search and subsequent career?
It has. As an Aboriginal person, we are tied to the land. I have always wanted to work to protect and conserve our unique environment, therefore working with the department was a natural progression for my career.
What is the culture at DAWE like?
It is in a constant state of growth. From my experience, most people are willing to learn and be more understanding. I have a great hope that the culture will continue to grow and be better each day.
What’s the best thing about your job?
I get to actively see where and how my work is directly affecting the change and conservation of Australia’s Marine and Island Parks. My team and I work to administer grants to people in the field who are working to protect our ocean.
Another is the fact that we got to experience so many rotations and different jobs as part of the program. This is such a unique experience where you are exposed to so many areas before finding your place within the department.
What are the limitations of your job?
There is a lot of responsibility to my job but it’s a great responsibility to have. We are actively working with people in the field doing on-ground work who have a chance to make real change for the conservation of the ocean. It’s a pressure I love and a responsibility I don’t take for granted.
What 3 pieces of advice would you give yourself when you were a student?
Have fun at work. Enjoy the now. Keep working hard, it will all pay off soon.
Which 3 pieces of advice would you give to Indigenous students nearing graduation?
Stay connected, as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people we have a large community who always have our back and are there to provide support whenever needed. Work hard to chase your dreams, nothing is ever out of reach if you want it. Be proud of who you are and the work/study you are doing. You’re going to be great!