The 2010 NAIDOC Week theme is “Unsung Heroes – Closing the Gap by leading their way”. In celebration of this year’s theme, we hear from two young Indigenous women, Mellissa Smith and Natalee Nagy who have recently found employment with the assistance of WISE Employment.

Mellissa Smith
Dunghutti Woman,
Melbourne Museum

Mellissa Smith works at the Melbourne Museum and loves the fast pace of her new role in the IT Department. “I really enjoy being part of an efficient, helpful and friendly IT team,” she says enthusiastically.

Mellissa was first referred to WISE Employment in July 2009, in Melton, Victoria. “I am not originally from Melbourne and moved here in June 2009 from a country town called Port Macquarie,” she explains. “I moved to Melbourne because Port Macquarie didn’t really have much to offer career-wise, especially in the IT industry.”

To get her started with finding a job, her WISE consultant, Eloine Abude worked with Mellissa on her job applications and resume and organised some training - a Certificate III in Business Administration.

In November 2009, Mellissa secured a traineeship in IT, through 370 degrees and started working at Melbourne Museum. Mellissa is still very happy six months into her traineeship and feels extremely supported by everyone in her team.

Natalee Nagy
The Lighthouse Project

Natalee Nagy recently started working at the Lighthouse Project as an Administration Coordinator. The Lighthouse Project is based in Rhodes, New South Wales and runs motivational and leadership programs. “My new job involves administrative tasks, like data entry and computer work,” she explains. “I also worked at the Centrelink Jobs Expo, where we had a stall and I explained what we do and helped promote our programs to other young people.”

Natalee finished school last year and was referred to WISE in Mt Druitt in February 2010. Her WISE Case Manager, Laura Bradburn, started working with Natalee to find jobs in the sports industry. In March, Natalee attended one of the Lighthouse Programs run at the WISE Mt Druitt office and says she is a changed person because of it. “I took part in a motivational program and it totally got me out of my comfort zone,” she explains.

When she finished the program in March, Natalee stayed in contact with some of the staff from Lighthouse. “A few weeks ago, I bumped into one of the staff from Lighthouse and she offered me a two day work trial,” she says.” After that she offered me the position of Administration Coordinator.” The thing she is most looking forward to is running some of the boxing activities. She has a passion for sport and wants to help other young people achieve their goals.