Charmaine is a proud Kunjen woman that has lived in Kowanyama all her life. She loves her community, is a well-respected Traditional Owner and a newly elected local Councillor to the Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council and looks forward to being of service to the community as one of their representatives.
Her greatest accomplishment in life are her 6 children and 3 grandchildren.
One of her favourite things to do is go out on Country with family and community members, sharing the knowledge that has been passed down from her Dad.
Charmaine joined the RISE Venture’s Kowanyama Women’s Hub in January 2023 and quickly showed her commitment and leadership skills. She jumped at the chance to develop professionally and completed First Aid, Food Handling and RSA training.
Not long after this, RISE Ventures hired Charmaine as a Supervisor of the Women’s Hub, employing her through the NIAA Trialling Pathways to Real Jobs program.
It was the perfect time for Charmaine to be employed, as we were preparing to open our Retail Arts ‘N’ Crafts Store. Find out more about the Store here.
Charmaine has been a driving force of this endeavour, organising the ladies at the Hub to make items, clearing out the Art Centre and setting up the store in that space, and assisting with marketing and the grand opening. She even chose the name!
Charmaine shared that she’s proud of the community and of herself.
“I stood up and achieved something for myself, my family, my children and my community. I’m proud to be a Kunjen woman”
