ASPIRE Student Success

Proudly Dharawal, Channeling Passion and Curiosity - Aspire Program student Douglas Grice

I’m a proud Dharawal man from South West Sydney, now in my final year of a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours). Today, I’m working with Bechtel, a global leader in engineering, and I can confidently say that this milestone was made possible because of the ASPIRE program.

Before ASPIRE, I didn’t always have the confidence to show my abilities, put myself forward, or take advantage of opportunities. The program gave me more than skills – it gave me belief in myself. Through its support, encouragement, and development opportunities, I learned to value my contributions, embrace my strengths, and step into spaces I once thought were out of reach.

That shift has been life-changing. Over the past 12 months, I’ve had the privilege of working with Bechtel on Western Sydney Airport – an infrastructure project that will bring economic and social benefits to the community for decades. I’ve gained hands-on site experience, worked alongside experts, and learned what it takes to deliver a project of this scale.

Alongside the technical skills my degree has given me – critical thinking, engineering knowledge, and a strong work ethic – ASPIRE helped me grow into someone who can bring his whole self, including culture and identity, into his career. I walk into my future carrying pride for my Dharawal heritage, ready to share a perspective grounded in Indigenous knowledge and values.

Thank you, ASPIRE, for opening the door. I’m walking through it with pride, purpose, and heart.

Proudly Darug, Building a Career with Purpose - An Aspire Program student Charlie Arnold

I’m a proud Darug woman from the Hawkesbury on Darug Country, currently in my third and final year of the Bachelor of Architectural Design at Western Sydney University. When I began my studies in 2023, I could never have imagined that by my first year I would already be stepping into industry with an internship at Ventia—an opportunity made possible through ASPIRE.

At Ventia , I’ve been contributing to the Sydney Roads Asset Performance Contract – Parklands (SRAPC), a program that maintains and enhances state road corridors and roadside assets across Western Sydney. My focus has been on supporting climate-resilient asset management, helping to shape the Climate Change Adaptation Action Register, assigning adaptation owners, and sequencing measures to align with lifecycle needs. This work brings together design thinking, engineering, and sustainability—embedding resilience and better outcomes for community and Country.

What made this possible was ASPIRE. The program didn’t just connect me to industry—it created a culturally safe pathway into the workplace. Through mentorship, skills development, and ongoing guidance, ASPIRE gave me the confidence to translate studio learning into real-world delivery. With its support, my internship grew into 18 months of hands-on experience, collaborating across interdisciplinary teams on projects that truly matter.

I carry my culture into everything I do, and I’m proud to be building a career where Indigenous knowledge, sustainability, and infrastructure delivery come together to create safer and more resilient places for Western Sydney.

Thank you ASPIRE for opening the door—and for giving me the tools, confidence, and support to walk through it with purpose.

Walking Proud with Purpose: My Journey Through Construction and Culture - William Murray

I’m proud to be a Western Yalanji man, from the Country inland of Chillagoe and Mungana in Far North Queensland — where rainforests meet rugged mountain ranges. My people have lived in harmony with our land and sea Country for generations, passing down our stories, language, and cultural traditions. Being Western Kuku Yalanji means honouring my Elders, walking in the footsteps of my ancestors, and protecting our identity and land for generations to come.

Today, I’m in my final year of a Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours) at Western Sydney University, preparing to become a leader in Australia’s infrastructure future. Through this degree, I’ve gained knowledge in project planning, site supervision, contract administration, construction law, and have developed a deep understanding of sustainability and innovation in the built environment.

But none of this would’ve been possible without the ASPIRE Program.

Before ASPIRE, I struggled to find internships and job opportunities. I didn’t apply to university through an Indigenous pathway and wasn’t sure how to navigate the competitive construction industry. ASPIRE changed that.

Through mentoring, skill-building workshops, and the support of a nurturing community, ASPIRE gave me more than opportunities — it gave me belief. I’ve built essential skills in communication, resilience, time management, and goal setting. Most importantly, I learned that where I come from does not determine where I can go.

Today, I stand confident, career-focused, and passionate about construction. I carry the values of culture, community, and hard work into everything I do — and I hope to inspire others from underrepresented backgrounds to know that their future is possible too.

Thank you, ASPIRE, for opening the door — I’m walking through it with pride, purpose, and heart.

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