Building Confidence and Community

Proud Gamilaraay and Dunghutti person, Techa is the First Nations Support Trainee at Banyule Council. Although day-to-day responsibilities vary, their focus remains consistent: supporting community and building cultural knowledge across the organisation.

Their traineeship has allowed them to work across two very different workplace environments.

I split my time between the main Council office and Barrbunin Beek, the Aboriginal Gathering Place. One is more policy and admin-focused, while the other is about being present in community.

A key part of Techa’s traineeship has involved coordinating Banyule’s weekly Food-share Program, based at Barrbunin Beek. Each Friday, they assist with packing food boxes, helping community members register for the program and ensuring the service runs smoothly.

It’s a very hands-on and people-focused part of the role. You build strong connections just by showing up and being part of it each week.

Within the Council office, Techa has contributed to administrative tasks and cultural safety initiatives. One area they have taken particular interest in is increasing awareness around First Nations perspectives, especially through their communications work.

They’ve contributed written content to The Banner—Banyule’s resident newsletter and managed social media content for key events, including National Reconciliation Week and seasonal campaigns based on the Koolin seasons.

I’ve really enjoyed writing about the seasons and local plant knowledge.

It gave me a chance to connect with Country and share that with others.

Working on the Indigenous Planning Guidelines was also a highlight, especially as someone interested in both culture and environment.

Colleagues and the broader community have widely acknowledged their work on these resources.

Techa’s contributions have been of a really high standard. Their work on seasonal content has attracted strong interest from other teams and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. It’s strengthened our cultural content offering and supported broader education. – Banyule’s Trainee Program Manager

Another standout experience during the traineeship was supporting YouthFest, a key event in Banyule’s youth calendar. The program provided valuable insight into the positive impact of council-led events on the local community.

The experience has shown me how important it is for young Mob to be part of these spaces.

Representation matters—especially in local government, where decisions often directly affect our communities.

Looking ahead, the traineeship has helped Techa clarify their career direction.

It’s made me want to pursue work that’s community-facing, where I can continue sharing knowledge and supporting others.

I’ve also realised that I do enjoy learning, when it’s delivered in the right environment.

Techa is now exploring options for further study with a growing interest in areas like self-determination and Indigenous governance.

For those considering a traineeship, Techa encourages taking the first step.

It can be daunting, but there are people who will support and mentor you along the way. This experience has given me more confidence and helped me build skills I’ll take with me into whatever I do next.