NAIDOC Week 2023 - For Our Elders

Every year during the first week of July, Australia celebrates NAIDOC Week – to recognise and commemorate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Apprenticeship Support Australia celebrates and highlights the lived experience of our First Nations staff and team members. This year, we spoke with Natalie Brolly, Apprentice Advisor with the ASA Skilled to Build Program, and Braydon Cowley, Apprentice Advisor, who discussed what NAIDOC Week means to them as Indigenous Australians. We also sat down with our Executive Director, Peter Gilchrist, as he explains why NAIDOC Week is special to ASA.
 

Watch our video for this years NAIDOC Week below:

Please also see our highlights from our speakers Peter, Nat and Braydon:
 

Peter Gilchrist, Executive Director, Australian Apprenticeships and Support Centre for Business NSW

Meet Peter Gilchrist, an Executive Director at the Australian Apprenticeships and Support Centre for BusinessNSW.

In this video, Peter explains the meaning and significance of NAIDOC Week and how ASA celebrates this important time of the year.

He shares how ASA supports its apprentices, clients, and stakeholders and all the internal initiatives to grow from 1% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff two years ago to just over 5% this year.
Finally, Peter highlights the story behind the “Djaama”, a cultural painting and mural creation by a renowned Aboriginal artist and performer, Gambirra Illume and her daughter, Yvonne.

Check out the video to hear the full story and admire this artwork masterpiece.

 

Nat Brolly, Apprentice Advisor, Skilled to Build, Apprenticeship Support Australia

Meet Nat Brolly, proud Gamilaraay woman.

In this video, she shares how she learned about her Indigenous heritage ten years ago, which led her on a passionate journey of exploring her background and seeking answers.

Nat explains what NAIDOC Week means to her, the significance of sharing stories and how she ensures to pass them on. 

Check out the full video to hear the full story.

Braydon Cowley, Apprentice Advisor at Apprenticeship Support Australia

Meet Braydon Cowley, an Apprentice Advisor at Apprenticeship Support Australia. Braydon is a proud Kamilaroi man living and working on Dharawal land.

In this video, he shares how he helps, coaches, and supports apprentices in their day-to-day challenges. He explains how his heritage, the stories, and the lessons he learned from his ancestors are valuable and guide him in his life and career.

Finally, Braydon shares what NAIDOC Week means and how he celebrates it.

Check out the full video to hear his tips and advice for apprentices and how he embraces his cultural heritage.