Are you a First Nations student who’d like to yarn with someone?
Studying at uni isn’t easy for anyone – the campuses are huge, sorting out your classes and study routines can be a challenge, and it may take a while to get to know people and feel like you belong. Things can be even harder if you’re living away from family or Country, or you have to juggle your classes with cultural responsibilities.
Our First Nations students are a very valued part of the Deakin community and we want to help you achieve all your study goals. If you ever feel like uni or your personal situation is becoming stressful, or you’d just like to have a yarn with someone who understands your story, there’s a range of ways to get support.
All these services are free and available to all of our First Nations students, no matter where you’re based or what you’re studying.
Have a yarn with Kate
Kate Towart is here to support all First Nations students in her role as Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) Counsellor:
I was born on Wadawurrung Country in Geelong, where I was raised and now live and work. I previously worked at IKE as a casual tutor and academic lecturer while completing my Masters in Psychology. I am very excited to be working as SEWB Counsellor at Deakin and look forward to supporting you.
I have worked as a registered psychologist for more than 15 years. Some of my most valued work experiences have been in rural and remote areas of Central Australia, the Northern Territory and West Kimberley regions, including Katherine, Broome, and the Fitzroy Valley and surrounding communities.
While I’m based at the NIKERI Institute, I’m available to support all First Nations students at Deakin, no matter where you live or how you study. I’m very approachable, so feel free to get in touch, say hi and have a yarn.
You can make multiple appointments with Kate if you need. She is available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays – chat to her in person at Waurn Ponds Campus, or by telephone or video.
To book:
- Call the Deakin Health and Wellbeing Centre on 03 9244 5577.
- Book online – just follow the instructions to make an appointment with the Social and Emotional Wellbeing Counsellor.
Connect with a Cultural Mentor
Do you need some cultural support, mentoring or guidance while you’re studying? Our Cultural Mentor Program can help! You can meet with either a male or female mentor for individual sessions, or join a group workshop. All sessions run for 50 minutes.
- Women’s Business with Dr Jenny Murray-Jones – available each Wednesday: 9am–12pm and 12.30–4.30pm
- Men’s Business with Dr Bryan Fricker – available each Monday, Thursday and Friday: 10am–1pm and 2–4pm
- General Yarn sessions: sessions are run by either Cultural Mentor, subject to availability.
To book:
- Go to the online booking system – you’ll need to be logged in with your Deakin single sign-on credentials.
- Choose your session – Women’s Business, Men’s Business or General Yarn.
- Select an available date and time.
- Complete the relevant fields, including whether you’d like a phone call or Zoom meeting, and anything you’d like the Cultural Mentor to know beforehand.
- Press ‘book’ to confirm your appointment.
Get study help
If you’re unsure about how to approach your study or have some specific questions, there’s a range of help available:
- Tutoring – a tutor from the Indigenous Tutorial Network can help clarify what you’re learning and assist you with essential academic study skills. Get help in a range of areas including assignment writing, referencing, oral presentations, time management and preparing for exams. Just complete the online form and our Student Learning Coordinator will be in touch.
- Academic support services – NIKERI can help you manage your study needs and prepare for assignments and exams. Just email Ashleigh McKenzie at [email protected] for more information.
Join a social catch-up
Would you like to yarn with other students, swap study tips, talk about how your mob is going or anything else? Join our online social group!
Just bring a cuppa and a snack, and jump online. It’s YOUR space – so pop in to share whatever’s on your mind.
When: Each Tuesday during T2, 12.30–1.30pm.
To join the meeting, just click on this Zoom link. We recommend adding a reminder to your calendar so you never miss a catch-up!
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the unceded lands and waterways on which Deakin University does business. We pay our deep respect to the Ancestors and Elders of Wadawurrung Country, Gunditjmara Country, Wurundjeri Country and Boon Wurrung Country.
We are committed to enabling all of our students and staff to respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges, culture and values.
Image credit: ‘Learning Together, Growing Together’ by Nathan Patterson. This artwork was commissioned by the Office of Indigenous Strategy and Innovation.