Getting to know our team with Shaylee 

Shaylee Kelly, a proud Barkindji woman, was born and bred in Bourke.  

She brings her passion to the heart of our Warakirri Hub, where she works tirelessly to support community initiatives and empower others through learning and connection. 

Before joining the Bamara team, she built up a range of skills through different roles, each one adding to her experience and shaping her journey. 

Her journey took her to the Red Centre in the Northern Territory, where she worked in hospitality alongside people from diverse nationalities and backgrounds. During this time, she had the rare and meaningful opportunity to experience culture on Country, an experience that deepened her connection to community and continues to inspire her today.

“It was a deeply spiritual experience, seeing how culture is still practiced so strongly up there,” Shaylee said. 

This strong connection to culture and community became the driving force behind Shaylee’s next steps.

Upon returning to Bourke, Shaylee took up a role in administration and began seeking new ways to grow professionally, particularly in digital literacy and workplace technology. This led her to enrol in the IT Foundation Skills course offered by Bamara through the Warakirri Hub.

When Shaylee participated in our Indigenous Skills and Employment (ISEP) program funded by the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA), she was able to sharpen a vast array of skills, from learning photoshop, to mastering excel spreadsheets, and improving her overall confidence.

Grace Milgate, our Warakirri Hub coordinator, quickly recognised Shaylee’s dedication, eagerness to learn, and positive can-do attitude, and advocated for Shaylee to secure a role at the Hub.

Today, Shaylee is our Project Support Officer at the Warakirri Hub, working alongside Grace to deliver community-focused programs and support the day-to-day operations of the Hub.

“I’m very passionate about community work, I really do love this job. I’ve got a lot of love for this community. There’s so much we can do and a lot we can offer,” Shaylee said. 

In addition to helping design and deliver training courses that build peoples skills and confidence in others, Shaylee also plays a key role in running the Weaving Yarns Women’s Group, creating a culturally safe space for First Nations women to share stories, exchange knowledge, and connect with one another.

Each week, Shaylee looks forward to immersing herself in the lives and stories from the women, connecting with them, and helping them build new skills.

“The women’s group is amazing. The way they spin a yarn – oh my days! You’re guaranteed a laugh every time,” Shaylee said. 

At the heart of all of Shaylee’s work is a passion and sense of community that form the foundation for everything she does. 

About the Warakirri Hub 

The Warakirri Hub, operated by Bamara, is made possible through the Indigenous Skills and Employment Program (ISEP), funded by the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA).  

Through ISEP, the Australian Government is working in partnership with communities to connect First Nations people to jobs, career advancement opportunities, new training, and job-ready activities.