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MELBOURNE
BRUNSWICK
BUNDOORA
FISHERMANS BEND
POINT COOK
HAMILTON
HO CHI MINH CITY
HANOI
‘Role model’ trainee picks up NAIDOC award
Dianne Fleming juggles work, study and motherhood – and now she can add
Trainee of the Year to her list of achievements.
Ms Fleming works in RMIT University’s Ngarara Willim Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Centre as an Administration Officer, through the 370 Degrees Group.
She celebrated NAIDOC Week by winning the Department of Education,
Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) Victorian State Traineeship
Employment Award for 2009 in the Participant Achievement Award category. There
was a record field of 13 entrants in her category.
“I’m delighted and honoured to win this award,” Ms Fleming said. “I finished my
Certificate III in Administration through RMIT’s Business TAFE School in seven
months, rather than 12. And now I’m undertaking my Certificate IV.
“My next step is to get my management skills through RMIT and get a job here and
further my career in education.”
Ms Fleming receives three hours’ tutoring a week through the Indigenous Tutorial
Assistance Scheme and, in turn, tutors a student undertaking the Certificate III
program.
Life has changed a great deal for Ms Fleming (nee Dixon), who left her home town
of Narrabri, NSW, seven years ago to find work in Melbourne.
“There aren’t many opportunities for Aboriginal people in Narrabri,” she said. “All it
offers is seasonal cotton work, the dole or Aboriginal art.
“Now I’ve become a role model. Other people can come as far I’ve done. My
message would be: when you get an opportunity, take it, grab it and run with it.”
Ngarara Willim Manager, Stuart McFarlane, congratulated Ms Fleming. “It’s a
fabulous result for Dianne.
“And it sums up what Ngarara Willim is about – giving our people a chance to pick
up training in a mainstream environment while still providing supportive, ongoing
cultural immersion with directional leadership for our trainee staff like Dianne.”
For interviews or comment: Dianne Fleming, (03) 9925 4885, or Stuart
McFarlane, (03) 9925 4886.
For general media enquiries, RMIT University Communications, David Glanz,
(03) 9925 2807 or 0438 547 723.
High-resolution pix available on request.
5
August, 2009
NEWS 
