Sydney tenancy support manager a future Indigenous Leader

Mission Australia’s people are our greatest resource, so we’re always happy to share good news about them. This week we’re congratulating Shane Sturgiss, our Service Manager, Coastal Sydney Aboriginal Tenancy Support Service (pictured), on being offered an Advanced Diploma in Indigenous Leadership scholarship from the Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre scholarship. 

Shane is one of 16 Aboriginal Australians to be offered the scholarship, and will begin a Certificate IV in Indigenous Leadership in March.

Developed over seven years with the support of BHP Billiton, the new qualification will provide extensive skills in management, leadership, strategic planning, project management and policy development, as well as intensive study of Indigenous culture and knowledge.

Shane will juggle the leadership course’s residential schools and self-directed learning modules with his busy workload at Mission Australia’s Coastal Sydney Aboriginal Tenancy Support Service (CSATSS), based in Sydney’s inner west.

This service was set up in June 2011 to address the overly high number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are homeless. It forms part of the Regional Homelessness Action Plan – Coastal Sydney. 

Shane joined as Service Manager in September. His team is currently preparing for the busy post-Christmas holiday season, which will see many Aboriginal people return to Sydney after visiting relatives out of town.

“We’re preparing for a busy time come February due to the financial hardship suffered by vulnerable families over the Christmas and New Year period,” Shane said.

“A number of Aboriginal people leave Sydney over the Christmas period to go back to Country to be with family, sometime for extended periods. It is during this time that rent payments are missed and money reallocated from rent to assist with Christmas, travel and helping family.

“The fall-out of this action isn’t fully realised until people return home to Sydney to face threats of eviction and Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal hearings.”

Indigenous traineeships for Sydney students

Time is running out to apply for two School Based Traineeships for Aboriginal students offered at Mission Australia’s State Office in Sydney. They provide a great opportunity for a Year 11 student to gain workplace skills while studying a Certificate II in Business.

• Find out more today!