Proud Wallabaloola and Pajong woman, Natalie Mudford from Ngunnawal and Wiradjuri country, was seeking to stretch her capabilities when the Indigenous Network in her workplace advertised the APS First Nations Graduate Certificate of Management Program.
She was eager to progress her career at the Australian Border Force, and reading through the program’s curriculum, Natalie knew she had found the piece that would get her there.
Taking the leap
“I saw the module on evidence-based management, and I realised that the components and skills mentioned were exactly what I was missing in my career,” she says.
Despite disliking school as a child, Natalie took the plunge and applied. As the first in her line to attend university, being accepted into the program was a huge, and daunting moment.
“I thought, can I do this? This is for real, it’s not playing around. Full-time study. Full-time work,” says Natalie.
Invigorated by the encouragement of her parents and daughter, she rose to the challenge, something her younger self would be proud of.
“Coming from the small country town of Boorowa to be able to participate in something like this, it's a full-circle moment for me,” says Natalie.
While she describes her learning journey as both intense and challenging, it’s also been one deeply rooted in connection.
“I would not have been able to get through this program without the amazing 21 other people in my cohort. We’ve come together and supported each other, and I don't feel like I'm alone on this journey.”
For Natalie, the program has developed skills and nurtured her confidence in ways she’s looking forward to taking back and implementing in the workplace. She credited the care provided by the program’s team of professors, mentors, lecturers and tutors.
“The support in this program is astronomical. It gives you the space, understanding and cultural safety to fail, learn and grow, and find your way through.”
The owl that connected them
In the first weeks of the program, Ben Mitchell, Merriam Mualgal man and program mentor at the time, shared a story with the group of strangers before him.
“Ben said ‘Ask yourself, why are you here?’ He then spoke about the wise owl asking questions like, ‘Who are you, where are you from, and why are you really here?’ He said, ‘You’ve got to hold onto that, hold onto your why’,” says Natalie.
As she listened, the vision of her ‘Why’, weaving together with the owl, grew.
“I'm always creating as an artist, creating stories to relay them,” she says.
“I wanted something visual for my family – my cohort family – to get us through those rough patches and to help us visualise our why.”
Featuring the motif of an owl, Natalie’s artwork incorporates the ANU colours, as well as representing Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal communities. It also has textured areas, which symbolise the challenge of participating in the program.
“Those rough patches are to remind us that it's okay, we will get to the end of that. We will get to a smooth stage.”
Natalie has generously gifted her painting to the College. It will be displayed in the Allan Barton Forum to inspire Natalie’s cohort and future cohorts of the program, as well as be enjoyed by all staff and visitors to CBE’s Building 26C.
Looking forward, Natalie intends to continue her learning journey, with her focus on graduating and continuing to progress her career.
“At the end of this, once we all graduate, we'll look back and be extremely proud. Not only of the achievement we've all gone through, but also proud of each other.”
And despite the hard work and long hours that have gone into the program so far, Natalie doesn’t hesitate to endorse it to others.
“I highly recommend that other First Nations people join this program because it's an amazing experience for connection, as well as a self-development opportunity,” she says.
“You’ll start out thinking you can’t do it, but you'll surprise yourself with the resilience and confidence you obtain from it.”
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