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Director, Nura Gili

Scott Parlett is a proud Malyangapa and Barkindji descendent but born and raised in rural QLD (Winton). He has a strong passion in creating a respectful and inclusive working environment that supports multiculturalism and diversity. His vision for Nura Gili is building a culturally safe, sense of belonging and connection to community that’s beyond ‘box-ticking’ systems through recruitment, retention and success becoming future community, local, national and global leaders.

Academic Lead

Dr Katrina Thorpe is a Worimi woman and Academic Lead at Nura Gili. Katrina's research focuses on educational approaches that engage students in Country-centred 'Learning from Country' pedagogies. Katrina is passionate about developing culturally responsive pedagogies that facilitate connections between students and Aboriginal people, communities and Country. Katrina also has 20 years experience teaching mandatory Indigenous Studies across a number of disciplines including education, social work, nursing, health and community development.

Current Students Lead, Nura Gili

Tanya is a proud Ngiyampaa/Wangaapuwan/Yorta Yorta woman from far western NSW. She has over 24 years’ work experience in higher education sector, in several positions in the student services area. The most recent was leading the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student Support Services team at the University of Sydney, where she was employed for 15 years.

Tanya has won a Vice Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Indigenous Education Strategies for implementing a peer mentoring program and has also worked on many major projects that help with the transition, support, and retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students.

Executive Officer

Martina Lavin has worked at UNSW since 1999; the bulk of that time she spent as a Health and Safety Coordinator supporting most faculties and divisions at some stage over that period.

She was Executive Officer for the Pro Vice Chancellor Indigenous from 2017 to 2022 and has been Operations Manager at Nura Gili since then.

Martina has a Bachelor of Environmental Science from the Institute of Technology, Sligo Ireland and a Master of Teaching from WSU (2010).

Future Students Lead

Quinton Vea Vea is a proud Bidjara and Australian South Sea Islander man. Quinton has worked at The National Centre of Indigenous Excellence for 5 years, in various positions in community engagement. He was program coordinator running a swim school of 500+ children and adults. Most recently Quinton worked as an Associate Consultant with Blak Impact focusing on Social Impact frameworks and program evaluation of outcomes that benefited First Nations Peoples.

Outreach Officer

Natalee is a proud Biripi women from Taree (NSW) who grew up in the Redfern community of Sydney city. She has an extensive history of mentoring and guiding Aboriginal people through employment and education.

With great passion to create change for her community and people, she strives to educate mob on the pathways into higher education through university as she believes there’s always room for improvement.

She believes that having a yarn with mob on what UNSW offers through Nura Gili is always an inspiring conversation, and her motivation results in the impactful delivery of her outreach efforts. She proudly reminds people from all walks of life that there is “no shame to educate, let’s yarn!”.

Her slogan is “there’s no job too big or small” and she carries the outlook that she has “the best job in the entire world, and I never work a day in my life until admin comes knocking at my door”.

Outreach Officer

My sacred Mountain is Hikurangi (Ko Hikurangi te Maunga) My Sacred River is the Waiapu (Ko Waiapu te Awa) My People are Ngati Porou) Ko Ngati Porou te Iwi. I am honoured to be part of the Nura Gili Indigenous Outreach Team. I have worked in Indigenous development for over 20 years in the Social Justice, Legal, Government and Not for Profit sectors. My passion is working with young indigenous leaders of the future to guide and support the dreams bestowed on us by our ancestors. I am a strong believer in our cultural traditions as the root to our success. We must continue to uphold the values of our culture as the driving force behind all we do to challenge any opposition to our rights and traditional ways of being.  Kia Kaha, Kia Maia, Kia Manawanui - (Be Strong, Be Steadfast, Be Willing).

Recruitment Officer

Evie is a non-Indigenous ally and Recruitment Officer at Nura Gili. She is responsible for facilitating and coordinating access pathways into postgraduate and undergraduate degrees for Indigenous peoples.

Evie is a UNSW alumnus, having graduated from a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Indigenous Studies in 2021. She has previously worked closely with First Nations students as a Student Support Officer and is committed to contributing effectively and thoughtfully to the advancement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s educational opportunities and outcomes.

Recruitment Officer

Kristy is a proud Dharug woman who grew up on the Mid-North Coast of NSW. She is passionate about empowering Indigenous communities through providing educational opportunities, and implementing positive change for all Frist Nations peoples.

As a Recruitment Officer, Kristy is dedicated to assisting First Nations students in accessing educational pathways and alternative entry options into UNSW Sydney.

With a focus on personalised support and community connection, Kristy's goal is to ensure that all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have the opportunity to pursue their academic aspirations.

Student Success Officer

As another passionate member of the Support Team, Nathan is responsible for providing support for students in the Faculty of the Built Environment and Enabling students. Nathan has over ten years of educational experience, holding academic and pastoral coordinator positions.

Student Success Officer

Sharon is a descendant of the Dharawal people of the La Perouse Aboriginal community. Her ancestors are the Traditional Owners of the lands where she and her family continue to reside and practice their culture today. Sharon has worked in education for over 20 years, graduating with a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) degree from the University of Sydney in 2006.

Student Success Officer

Mitch is non-Indigenous, living and working on the unceded lands of the Bidjigal people. He completed his Bachelor of Arts (Hons) at UNSW, and is in the final stage of completing his PhD, researching truth-telling and settler colonialism in Australian performance art. He previously worked at the School of the Arts and Media teaching undergraduate courses in theatre and performance studies.

He’s honoured to work as a Student Success Officer as part of the team at Nura Gili. He is passionate about creating equity for First Nations peoples in higher education and supporting First Nations students to succeed and thrive at UNSW.

Student Success Officer

Shajarra is a proud Wiradjuri woman who grew up in Sydney. Her deep sense of community and culture has been shaped by her connection and involvement in the Redfern, Waterloo community, as well as her travels to Dubbo.

Shajarra is a people person with a bubbly personality that reflects her welcoming presence and ability to develop strong, genuine relationships and commitment to supporting others.

She holds a Bachelor of Business with majors in Human Resources and Marketing. Shajarra is dedicated to maintaining and encouraging Indigenous excellence through her values, commitment to education, and community involvement.

She is honoured to be a part of the Nura Gili Team.

Student Success Officer

Eelemarni Close-Brown is a proud Githabul woman who recently completed a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Sociology at the University of Notre Dame.

Most recently she was an Indigenous Affairs Reporter at the Australian Associated Press (AAP). She has also worked at National Indigenous Television (NITV) and with IndigenousX.

Eelemarni did not complete year 12 and so she applied and entered the Nura Gili Humanities Pathway Program. A one-year pathway to a UNSW degree place which lead to her being offered entry to a Bachelor of Arts.

It is a real privilege for her to be working as a Student Success Officer at Nura Gili where she started her university journey, and she looks forward to working with our students to support them in their chosen fields.

Student Success Officer

Deidre is a proud Kalkadoon and Barada Barna woman from Far North Queensland in the Outback town of Cloncurry. She is an enthusiastic educator who has extensive experience working in the fields of Primary, Secondary and Tertiary education for over 20 years.

She is delighted to be part of the Nura Gili team as a student success officer, she will provide the students with the necessary support. Deidre hopes to encourage our students to thrive in their academic journeys.

Senior Lecturer

Ben (he/him) is an Education Focused academic who has taught Indigenous Studies with Nura Gili at UNSW since 2007. Drawing on his training in Sociology, Philosophy, Psychology and Education, Ben teaches a range of courses across the Indigenous Studies Major. Taking inspiration from self-determination theory, culturally responsive pedagogy, and Universal Design for Learning, his teaching practice strives to cultivate learning environments where students feel safe, connected, and confident to pursue their learning goals and academic interests.

Honours Convenor, Lecturer

Johanna has taught Indigenous Studies at Nura Gili since 2014. Her research centres on First Nations rights and the engagement of settler-colonial governments with Indigenous peoples. Johanna’s recent publication Redfern: Aboriginal Activism in the 1970s, by Aboriginal Studies Press, explores the ways in which local Aboriginal organisations pursued self-determination in the diverse fields of law, health, arts and culture, education and housing.

Lecturer

Osca (they/them) is a proud Guugu Yimithirr scholar and lawyer who was born on Ngunnawal country, and grown up on the lands of the Yidinji, Yirrganydji, and Djabugay peoples. They have lived, worked and studied on Gadigal land for the past ten years. Their research interests include decolonisation, legal theory, abolition, environmental law, criminal law, and gender and sexuality. They continue to practice law as a criminal defence lawyer, with a particular focus on the Children’s criminal jurisdiction in NSW.

Content Designer

Lawrence is a UNSW alumnus with a background in Digital Marketing and Graphic Design. He brings years of experience working in a variety of organisations (from not-for-profits to broadcasting networks) and an endless curiosity about too many unrelated topics (like niche animal facts and coffee brewing techniques) to Nura Gili, creating impactful collateral that best promotes our important work.

Executive Assistant

With a background in psychology and the performing arts, Zoe brings a highly interpersonal approach to her work as an Executive Assistant (EA) at Nura Gili. As an EA, Zoe specialises in calendar organisation, handling high pressure situations like a pro, and creating communication pieces. In her spare time, Zoe enjoys Pilates, performing in theatre, quality time with friends, and a brunch date or two. If you have any suggestions for great brunch/coffee spots around Sydney, please let her know!

As a non-Indigenous person, Zoe is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be a part of Nura Gili and their mission to create a safe and welcoming space for all Indigenous students at UNSW.

Administration Assistant

Samantha Chao (Towney) is a strong-minded Wiradjuri woman with roots in Wellington (NSW), with a father of Spanish descent.

Bringing a unique blend of cultural perspectives and operational expertise to her role, she is dedicated to providing first nations students the support they need to achieve their educational goals.

She is passionate about networking, learning new skills and embracing challenges as opportunities for growth. Working within community and with Elders has given her a strong sense of community and commitment to social justice.

Aside from work, Samantha loves watching her 3 children grow, and enjoys the diversity of commitments it brings.