A Day in the Life of ... Aunty Jean South
Aunty Jean South is Elder in Residence, Badanami Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Education. In 1988, Aunty Jean enrolled as a full-time student and, when she graduated, she commenced work in the Aboriginal Liaison Unit, Student Services.
In June this year, Aunty Jean South travelled to Melbourne to accept an Elders Award from the Australian Government's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Advisory Council for her contribution to higher education.
Western Sydney University is proud to pledge its ongoing support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and this year, NAIDOC Week was held from 5 to 12 July with a number of special events and activities on campus. This year's theme was "We all stand on Sacred Ground: Learn, Respect and Celebrate" and honours the strong spiritual connection Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people share to the land and sea. You can find out more about the significance of the week and the events held on the NAIDOC Week webpage (opens in a new window).
Find out more about a day in the life of Aunty Jean South below...
Before Work
What do you have for breakfast and is there anything you do before you come to work?
I alternate between two Weetbix and a cup of original porridge.
What do you do usually do when you arrive ?
Switch my computer on, say hello to staff and students, check if they are OK, and then work through emails.
At Work
Who do you work with?
I am available for all staff and students who wish to speak with me.
What are the two or three most important things you are currently working on?
Hosting Elders at Western Sydney luncheons and I attend various functions acknowledging country.
What regular meetings do you attend?
I attend the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Education Consortium (ATSIHEC) three times a year, which is hosted by national universities.
I also attend the World Indigenous Nations Higher Education Consortium (WINHEC), hosted by international universities.
I am the Chair of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders Alliance (NATSIEA).
I am also on the Global Indigenous Elders Council (GIEC) and the University's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee (ATSIEAC).
What is something that can make a positive difference to your day?
A smile from someone, but better still, I love hugs.
After Work
What might we find you doing outside of work?
I am an opera subscriber; Puccini is my favourite. I listen to ABC classical music, I like going to the movies by myself, I like feeding possums and I love my flower garden.
Mobile options: