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First Nations women forge new futures through Metal Matriarchs
First Nations women from the Central Coast have been celebrated after completing Metal Matriarchs, a hands-on training program supporting women to build practical engineering skills, confidence and future pathways.
The graduation celebration was held on Friday 26 June at, Kariong, bringing together graduates, families, program partners and community supporters. Over the past 12 months, participants worked towards a Certificate II in Engineering, learning practical skills in a professional workshop environment while creating meaningful pieces of work.
Nineteen women began the program. Six graduated, while others moved into employment or took up other opportunities during the year.
Delivered by The Skill Engineer Ltd., with support from WISE Employment, Bara Barang and InTech, Metal Matriarchs was funded through the NSW Government’s Return to Work Pathways Program, administered by Women NSW.
This initiative creates real opportunities for First Nations women to build skills, confidence, and pathways into meaningful work, particularly in industries where women have been underrepresented.
For participant Denise Markham, the program was about much more than gaining a qualification. “I’m really proud of what we’ve made and what we’ve achieved together,” Denise said.
“When I started, I didn’t know what I would be able to do. Now I can look at the pieces I’ve created and feel proud. We’ve learned a lot, but we’ve also supported each other through some tough times. That has meant just as much as the training.”
Another participant said the creative side of the program had been one of the most rewarding parts. “The artwork has been really special because it’s something we can look at and say, ‘I helped make that’,” she said.
“It gave us the chance to use our hands, share ideas and create something with meaning. There’s a lot of pride in that.”
The women also contributed to creative project work, including components connected to a public artwork for the University of Newcastle’s Gosford campus.
Cultural Lead Alison Preece said the women had shown skill, determination and care for one another throughout the year. “The women worked incredibly hard and should be proud of what they achieved,” Alison said. “They learned practical skills, created beautiful work and supported each other along the way. Some of the most powerful moments were seeing the women back themselves, try something new and realise what they are capable of.”
WISE Employment’s Emily Maddocks said the graduation was an important moment to recognise the women’s effort, while also looking at what support comes next. “WISE is proud to be part of a partnership that supports First Nations women to build skills, confidence and future opportunities,” Emily said.
“This graduation celebrated what the women achieved, but it also gave us a chance to look ahead. The next step is making sure each person is supported to explore employment, further training or other goals beyond the course.”
With the current funding period coming to an end, program partners are keen to see Metal Matriarchs continue with support from local funders, employers, sponsors and community partners.
Ongoing support would allow more First Nations women to gain qualifications, build practical trade skills and explore employment, further training or self-employment opportunities.
Jay Commences Automotive Apprenticeship Through Get Back in the Game
The Skill Engineer is pleased to share that Jaytahlia has commenced an automotive apprenticeship with Central Coast Automotive Tuggerah Branch.
Jay was referred to our Get Back in the Game program by the Careers team at Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College The Entrance Campus. At the time of referral, she had already completed a Statement of Attainment in Automotive and had a clear goal of entering the industry, but was seeking support to transition from school into employment.
Following an initial planning meeting, a pathway was established which included White Card training and structured work experience with a local automotive employer. Jay successfully completed her White Card and undertook a two-week placement at Central Coast Automotive’s Tuggerah workshop.
During her placement, Jay demonstrated strong initiative, consistency and a willingness to learn. Feedback from the workshop team was highly positive, with each technician she worked alongside recommending that she be considered for an apprenticeship.
At the conclusion of her work experience, Jay was offered an apprenticeship within the service department and has now formally commenced her employment!
This outcome reflects the strength of collaboration between schools, industry partners and community-based programs in creating clear and supported pathways for young people.
The Skill Engineer thanks Central Coast Automotive for their ongoing partnership and commitment to developing local emerging talent, and we congratulate Jay on this significant milestone as she begins her career in the automotive industry.
For more information about Get Back in the Game please visit our web page: https://theskillengineer.com.au/get-back-in-the-game
Our Community on the Big Screen
At Cinema Paradiso, The Skill Engineer’s Skilled Creative team transformed a local screening into a celebration of community storytelling. Families, friends, and young people gathered to see the stories that had emerged from months of collaboration through In My Shoes, a youth storytelling project that explores culture, identity and belonging across the Central Coast.
The films reflected a mosaic of lived experience, from The Bridge Project by Erika Peterson, to Different Voices, One School at Wyong High School, and an exclusive DigiVan production with UN Youth Ambassador Satara Uthayakumaran.
The feature film told the extraordinary journey of Mohamad, who fled Syria as a teenager and resettled in Australia through the efforts of Coastal CRISP a local volunteer network. His story, and so many others, reminded us that belonging is built through empathy, understanding, and courage.
The feedback from the evening was as powerful as the stories themselves. “Your diversity and spirit are what make Australia a great place to live,” one audience member wrote. Another said, “Everyone’s stories were inspiring and give hope to the Central Coast, that we can become more multicultural and welcoming. Well done all; it takes a village.”
97 per cent of respondents said the films deepened their understanding of others’ experiences and cultures, a significant reflection to the power of storytelling as social change.
We’re grateful to Multicultural NSW, Central Coast Council, Central Coast Community Council, CRISP, Wyong High School, and to the young storytellers who shared their voices so generously.
A huge thank you to Cody Dillon, SONG LAB founder and DigiBeats extraordinaire, for setting the tone on the decks with world beats and a warm welcome for everyone who joined us.
A big congratulations to Mike and his wonderful team Daniel, Amro, Brad, Luke and Tamanah who have all given so much life to this project.
If you missed the screening, you can watch the films at skilledcreative.com.au.
In My Shoes – Central Coast Stories Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion
The Skill Engineer Ltd. invites the community to an inspiring evening of storytelling at Cinema Paradiso Ettalong on Thursday, 23 October 2025, for the premiere showcase of In My Shoes – an innovative series of short films created by young storytellers from across the Central Coast.
This free community event, presented in partnership with the Central Coast Community Council, celebrates the voices, resilience, and creativity of young people from culturally diverse backgrounds. Through film and digital media, participants share their lived experiences, inviting audiences to walk in their shoes.
A highlight of the evening is the feature film telling the story of Mohamad, who fled Syria with his family as a teenager. After years of uncertainty in Lebanon, Mohamad’s journey to Australia was made possible through the extraordinary efforts of Coastal CRISP, a volunteer community group on the Central Coast who provided a pathway for the family to resettle and rebuild their lives.
Other captivating stories to be showcased include:
- The Bridge Project – Erika Peterson
- UN Youth Ambassador – an exclusive DigiVan production, where young people interviewed Satara Uthayakumaran about her journey as a UN Youth Ambassador and what inspires her leadership
- Different Voices, One School: Cultural Integration at Wyong High
- Rangimarie – Kalani Higgins & Skilled Creative
Developed under the guidance of the In My Shoes Youth Reference Group and Skilled Creative mentors, participants gained hands-on experience in filmmaking, podcasting, and digital storytelling. With support from local videographers and producers, these young voices have crafted compelling narratives that highlight both personal journeys and collective community strength.
The In My Shoes project is proudly funded by the Multicultural NSW COMPACT Program, ensuring young people from diverse cultural backgrounds are empowered to share their stories and contribute to a more inclusive future for the Central Coast.
Event Details
In My Shoes – Film Showcase
Date: Thursday, 23 October 2025
Time: 5:00PM (doors open)
Venue: Cinema Paradiso, Ettalong
Cost: Free community event
To get your FREE ticket, please CLICK HERE.
Metal Matriarchs Join Central Coast First Contact Heritage Project
Metal Matriarchs Join Central Coast First Contact Heritage Project
Our Metal Matriarchs participants will play a vital role in the Central Coast First Contact Heritage Project, led by the University of Newcastle with respected cultural leader and local Traditional Owner, Gavi Duncan.
The project shares stories of early encounters between Europeans and the Darkinjung people, inviting reflection on history, colonisation and ongoing impacts.
Guided by designs prepared by Gavi Duncan, our participants will cut, roll and galvanise the sculptural elements. Many are matriarchs of their families and describe the project as building “a sense of pride” and “self-worth”. They hope it encourages other First Nations women to “have a go” and that their children will proudly say, “my mum made that”.
Once complete, the reflective, illuminated sculpture will be mounted on sandstone prepared by Dharug man Adam King at the University of Newcastle’s Gosford campus. It will invite reflection on local cultural heritage and stand for years to come as a lasting public artwork.
With thanks to Alison Preece, Brendan Ritchens and James Cross from The Skill Engineer, who are contributing to the project delivery, and to Mike McCarthy of Skilled Creative, who will be documenting the process through film and photography!
Metal Matriarchs is made possible thanks to the NSW Government’s Return to Work Pathways Program. Our wonderful partners include WISE Employment, Bara Barang Corporation Ltd and Intech Institute of Technology.
Acknowledgement
We acknowledge the traditional owners of this land, the Darkinung, Pangerang and Yawuru peoples and pay respects to their elders past and present. We thank them for sharing their country, their culture and their language.We look to the future with hope as we walk side by side with our First Nations people in the spirit of reconciliation and truth telling.
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