A free community led, and supported program targeting First Nations girls in years 4 – 9 in Armidale, Uralla & Guyra NSW.
EDUCATION | CULTURE | WELLBEING
Kicking off in 2026, Young Tiddas on Country will be a 5-year Country and community centred program, empowering First Nations girls to thrive in both formal and cultural education, prioritise their wellbeing and create pathways for their long-term success.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Vision of the program is to empower First Nations girls through deep cultural connection, academic growth, social and emotional wellbeing, Community engagement, and equitable access to resources. By nurturing these key elements, the program aims to build a strong foundation for the girl’s long-term success and enable them to become culturally grounded leaders contributing to the social, cultural and economic prosperity of their families and communities.
Target Group
First Nations female students
Target Schooling Grades
Enrolled in Grades 4 to 7 in 2026; with
Grades 8 and 9 to be implemented into the program in 2027
Grades 8 and 9 to be implemented into the program in 2027
Duration of the program
5 years commencing Term 1 of 2026
Eligibility
Identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander female
Be enrolled in a school in Armidale, Guyra and Uralla
Be enrolled in a school in Armidale, Guyra and Uralla
Enrolment Information
Enrolments will be open to interested students from Term 4, 2025
for commencement of 2026 school year with enrolment reviews
occurring in Term 4 of each year until program conclusion
for commencement of 2026 school year with enrolment reviews
occurring in Term 4 of each year until program conclusion
MEET THE TEAM
The program will be led by local Armidale region First Nations women and community members.
Cassie Strong
A proud Anawain woman, Cassie brings a deep commitment to authentic relationships, trust building, and empathy in her role as Program Coordinator. She thrives on achieving positive outcomes for community and is driven by a passion for creating meaningful change. With extensive experience in education, project management, and business administration, Cassie is an invaluable member of the Young Tiddas team.
Birrillee Vale
A proud Dunghutti woman from Armidale, Birrillee serves as a mentor and facilitator, drawing on her cultural knowledge and both lived and learned experiences to support young people in the program. She brings a wealth of organisational and administrative expertise, applying these skills to ensure the program runs effectively and smoothly.
Terri Lethlean
Terri is a social impact consultant with extensive experience in cross-cultural facilitation, community engagement, and strategic project development. She has worked collaboratively with First Nations communities, cultural institutions, and government agencies to deliver impactful, culturally grounded outcomes. Most notably, Terri coordinated and led Murawin’s Tiddas in Business program, supporting women’s leadership and entrepreneurship across the country.
Carol Vale
Co-founder of Murawin and a proud Dunghutti woman from Armidale, Carol is the cultural lead of the program. An expert inter-cultural consultant and highly experienced facilitator, she brings deep community engagement expertise and cultural knowledge, ensuring the program is grounded in Country, Culture, and Community.
“It is so important for our young ones to keep striving for their education. Because without that, we’re going nowhere.”
Program Goals
“Designed to encourage the girls to be proactive participants in their education, both formal and cultural.”
Improve First Nations female student engagement in school
- Foster respectful and collaborative relationships with students, families and carers as well as schools;
- Provide support and resources to students that enable positive engagement in school; and
- Provide intensive support and assistance to students who are transitioning from primary to secondary schooling.
Strengthen cultural identity and connection to heritage and community
- Provide opportunities for students to engage in on-Country experiences guided by Elders and cultural knowledge holders;
- Incorporate intergenerational knowledge sharing through storytelling and language;
- Encourage pride in cultural identity through weaving workshops, yarning circles, and creative expression; and
- Create safe spaces for connection, healing, and celebration of culture alongside peers.
Increase educational and career aspirations
- Expose students to strong First Nations female role models across diverse professions and industries;
- Connect students with mentoring and tutoring opportunities that support current educational goals and future career aspirations; and
- Facilitate access to information about further education, training, and employment opportunities.
Increase student confidence and leadership skills
- Offer students choices in Young Tiddas on Country learning activities to foster ownership and autonomy;
- Facilitate leadership workshops that promote collaboration, public speaking, and decision-making;
- Encourage student voice and agency through opportunities that empower students to take initiative in both cultural and school settings; and
- Celebrate individual and group achievements to build self-esteem and motivation.
“It is about passing on skills, knowledge and experience to the young ones to equip and secure their future.”
What to Expect
Learn More and sign up
If you’d like to learn more or express interest in the program, please complete the form below, and a Murawin team member will contact you with the next steps.