A proud Worimi/Biripi woman, Samantha has worked with Aboriginal communities in metro and outback Australia for the past 16 years and is passionate about using Indigenous cultural ways to end family violence among Aboriginal people. She enrolled in a Graduate Certificate in Family Violence at Chisholm because she “wanted to channel my lived experience into positive change for my mob and the community”.

Samantha organises community events, and healing retreats and camps for women, youth and children. She has supported families with different needs, some who are involved with government services such as the Departments of Child Protection or Justice. She creates working relationships with other Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and meets regularly with their Elders, constantly seeking to better develop her own work programs. Samantha currently works at the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) where she holds coaching and wellbeing sessions and secondary consultations with primarily non-Aboriginal staff.

“When you experience something, you have a deep commitment to give back,” she said.

It was real-world experiences like these – about how Indigenous people are impacted by family violence, and how Indigenous cultural practices can be used to help them – that Samantha readily shared with her teachers and fellow students.

Through open and honest sharing, Samantha was able to enrich the Family Violence course content and communal learning experience by adding an Indigenous lens. Her contributions have helped shape future Chisholm Family Violence course content and since graduating, Samantha has returned multiple times as a guest speaker.

Samantha credits her teachers for easing her back into study and for creating a safe space for her to talk about her challenges – both professionally and personally. Samantha worked hard to balance her study, her full-time work, family and community commitments, and volunteer work. Some of the community groups Samantha is a part of include: Regional Family Violence Partnership Implementation Committee member for the therapeutic group; Eastern Dhelk Dja action group; 16 Days of Activism Eastern ACCO working group; Aboriginal Social and Emotional Well-Being Network Meetings – Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency - Family Services and Therapeutic Services and Supports; Police and Aboriginal Community Protocols Against Family Violence Committee; Mission Australia Dandenong women’s weaving yarning circle; and Mullum Mullum Aboriginal Gathering place women’s Family Violence therapeutic group.

Samantha has dedicated her life to using her professional skills and voice to give back. Congratulations to Samantha Edwards being named Koorie Student of the Year in the 2024 Chisholm Education Awards.

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