Support that understands where you’re coming from

Our Student Success and Engagement Officers – sometimes called Mentors – are dedicated to your whole journey, not just your studies. From cultural support to career connections, they bring leadership and lived experience to every conversation.

Because training is just the beginning

When you step into a classroom, you bring more than just your aspirations. You bring your cultural knowledge, family responsibilities and Community obligations, too.

That’s why, whenever you study at Yagilaith Djerring, you’re supported by somebody who understands where you’re coming from emotionally, practically – and culturally.

Student Success and Engagement Officers connect with you from day one through to graduation, with a Kinship model as our guiding star. Mentors will walk alongside you to ensure you get the most out of study – and can return to your Community upskilled, culturally competent, and ready to hit the ground running.

Here’s what to expect

No matter if you’re studying health or leadership, a Student Success and Engagement Officer joins every classroom – upholding cultural safety and ensuring the conversation between student and trainer stays grounded in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of learning.

Outside of the classroom, Mentors will support you throughout your learning journey in person, online and over the phone.

Mentors provide support in four key areas:

Cultural, social and emotional wellbeing

Study and life don’t always stay separate. Your Mentor understands that – and they’re here to yarn through whatever comes up, with cultural understanding at the heart of every conversation.

Academic

Study loads can be intense – especially when you’re balancing work, family and cultural commitments. Your Mentor will work with you to create and follow a study plan, keeping you on track to meet your goals.

Logistical

If you’re travelling from a regional and rural area, your Mentor can help coordinate travel and accommodation to Yagilaith Djerring for study, meaning you have one less thing to worry about.

Workplace advocacy

Life keeps moving when you’re studying. Your Mentor will work with your supervisor to make sure your study commitments are understood, respected and supported in the workplace.

A dedicated point-of-contact for your ACCO

Enrolling a team member? Your first call is your Mentor.

When you enrol a team member at Yagilaith Djerring, you’re not left to figure it out alone. Your team member’s Mentor is also your go-to contact throughout their training journey – keeping you informed, connected and confident that your people are supported.

From helping get the right person enrolled in the right course, to providing regular updates on their progress, your Mentor keeps communication flowing between your organisation and ours. So you can focus on running your ACCO, knowing their training is in good hands.

The people supporting your journey

Our Mentors are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander professionals with deep ties to Community and real experience in ACCO sector.

Tahlia Sailor

Tahlia is a proud Erubam girl from the Torres Straits, born on Gimuy Country and partly raised on Wotjobaluk Country.

She has a huge passion in helping her Mob and watching them all succeed in life. Watching her fellow young Indigenous brothers and sisters working towards their future goals means the world. Because at the end of the day, we are the next generation.

Nikole Austin

Nikole is a proud Gunditjmara mum to three deadly sons.

For the past five years, she’s been part of work that strengthens and supports Community. As one of the first Mentors at Yagilaith Djerring, she walks proudly alongside Mob, helping them stay strong in their identity while building confidence through learning.

Her work is grounded in Culture, guided by Community, and driven by a commitment to see our people thrive – strong, proud and connected.

Jyedn Murray

Jye is a proud Wiradjuri Ngemba man, born and raised on Wiradjuri country in Cowra NSW with strong ancestral connections to the Byrock and Brewarrina region.

He is the Manger of Student Success and Workforce Development at VACCHO. Jye is passionate about working closely with Communities to support Aboriginal workforce development, leadership, and culturally safe systems that empower Mob and drive meaningful, long-term change through self-determination.

Wongana Blow

Wonnie is a proud Aboriginal woman who grew up on both Wurundjeri and Bunurong countries in Naarm, Melbourne. Wonnie is from Quandamooka Country of the Noonuccal tribe from North Stradbroke Island, as well as connections to Goreng Goreng through her father.

Wonnie’s passion is to help students thrive in their educational growth – supporting them in their study journey and improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ overall holistic health and wellbeing, creating self-determining Communities.

Isabella Mulcahy

Izzy is a proud Kamilaroi/Gomeroi woman, born and raised on Yuggera Country in Brisbane, and now raising her two boys on beautiful Woi Worrung Country.

Izzy believes that through empowering our community’s Aboriginal workforce, and by providing a culturally safe and supportive learning environment, we can each better ourselves, our Communities and our future together.

After all, we are Mob, we are strong, and our future should be in our own hands.