Elsie-Anne Murray, Victoria

Elsie, a young Indigenous woman, is currently studying a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care so that she can pursue a career working directly with young children. She attends a face-to-face class one day per week at the Yarrawonga Mulwala Community & Learning Centre and completes up to 15 hours of independent study each week in her own time. At the same time, she is undertaking a placement at an early childhood service and working part-time.

Elsie has overcome several barriers to start her adult learning journey and is now flourishing in class and producing assessments which highlight how much she is learning. She has also become more confident and is finding making connections with her fellow students easier.

Elsie says she feels like she is part of a “study family” with the class and is happy with how she is progressing. She says the course has given her more of an insight into the role of an early childhood educator, particularly realising that it is not just about watching children but also about helping them learn and making sure they are healthy.

With a scholarship, Elsie could consider further study and professional development in the early childhood sector.