Meet our graduate recruits

HR Service & Support Manager Kath Kenna pictured with Fiona Manoa.

ACU has introduced a new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Graduate Recruitment Program to help ‘close the gap’ in employment outcomes.

The program is an initiative of the ACU Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Employment Strategy 2015-2017, which aims to achieve participation parity between our workforce and Australia’s Indigenous population.

The two-year program is being piloted within the Corporate Services portfolio and enables eligible ACU graduates to work across multiple Directorates on a rotational basis.

The University welcomes Tamika Baulch and Fiona Manoa, who are ACU’s inaugural recruits within the program. Tamika has completed a Bachelor of Teaching/Bachelor of Arts (Humanities) and is based in Melbourne.

“My country is based near a town called Colac in Victoria, Gulidjan and my Indigenous cultural connections are through my father’s side,” she said.

Tamika will work across Student Administration and Human Resources, rotating on a three-monthly basis.  She says she is looking forward to learning about what happens ‘behind-the scenes’ to keep the University running smoothly.

Indigenous Employment Manager Shae Cubillo with Tamika Baulch.

“Being part of the Graduate program will open up my future career options and I see this as a great opportunity.  I hope to learn the variety of different jobs that are in the professional section of a University as well as to explore my strengths and weaknesses in a professional setting,” Tamika said.

“I’ve found that the ACU community, both the student body and staff, is one full of support. My particular cohort (BT/BA) became very close and we became somewhat of a family throughout our degree.”

Fiona has completed a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Human Resources (with Distinction) and is based in Brisbane.

“My great-grandmother is a Djabera Djabera woman from Western Australia, her displacement led to her children (including my grandmother) being taken to Torres Strait then to a mission in Papua New Guinea where they lived the rest of their years.

Over the past 15 years my family have reconnected with our country in WA and we are looking forward to exciting times ahead,” Fiona said.

“Additionally I have Papua New Guinea and Philippine heritage, and I am privileged to know and practice all my cultures.”

Fiona will work across Finance and Human Resources, rotating on a weekly basis and is looking forward to obtaining a deep understanding of how these Directorates contribute to the big picture and to ACU’s mission and vision.

“The people at ACU took the time to know me as a person and not a number, and were really supportive on my student journey.  I have been fortunate, along with all my fellow students in developing long lasting relationships with my lecturers, tutors and numerous administration staff.”

“I really feel my degree, past experience and the graduate program is my platform to reach greater heights and advance my career.”