Zuranih, known to most as Zee, is a proud Aboriginal Nydjah Nydjah woman of the Coastal Clan from the Karajarri Tribe. Originally from Bidyadanga (La Grange), approximately 186 kilometres south of Broome, Zee grew up immersed in community life, culture and Country - experiences that continue to shape both her personal values and professional career.
From an early age, Bidyadanga was where Zee learned the importance of connection: to people, to Country and to culture. Spending her childhood and much of her adult life within the community laid the foundation for a lifelong passion for supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“My passion has always been for my people and my culture,” Zee said. “Everything I do comes back to creating culturally safe and supportive pathways so our mob can reach their goals and have better opportunities.”
That commitment has carried through every stage of her working life. With a background in community development, youth work and Aboriginal engagement, Zee has dedicated her career to strengthening relationships between communities and organisations and delivering meaningful outcomes through respectful engagement and strong cultural understanding.
Connecting to Country remains central to Zee’s wellbeing and identity. Whether fishing, hunting, gathering or simply spending time outdoors, being on Country helps her stay strong in culture. Passing this knowledge on to her children is a source of immense pride.
In June 2021, Zee relocated to Karratha with her young family, embracing life in the Pilbara and the opportunities it offered. While she had previously worked within the construction and mining industries, Zee began seeking a more flexible and family‑friendly workplace—one that also aligned more closely with her values.
Her journey with North Regional TAFE began when she explored opportunities within the public sector. After limited success through talent registers, Zee turned her focus toward Aboriginal traineeships and apprenticeships. That search led her to the Public Sector Commissions' Solid Futures Aboriginal Traineeship Program.
“To my surprise, I was successful,” she said. “I was offered a placement at the Karratha TAFE Campus as a Public Sector Trainee, and it completely changed my direction.”
Zee commenced her traineeship with the Client Services team, where she felt welcomed, supported and valued from the outset. The inclusive nature of the team made a lasting impression, and the role provided her with a strong foundation in public sector processes and customer service.
Studying while working proved to be a significant advantage. Many of the training units focused on legislation and government frameworks that directly applied to her day‑to‑day role, reinforcing practical learning in real time.
While Zee enjoyed Client Services, she soon realised her passion lay in deeper community engagement and being more active across campus. Later in her traineeship, she transitioned into Aboriginal Training Services—a move that felt like a natural fit.
“I genuinely love supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students,” Zee said. “Being involved in engagement activities and walking alongside students on their learning journey has been incredibly meaningful.”
Balancing full‑time work, part‑time study and raising five children was no small challenge. Zee openly acknowledges that the experience was often overwhelming and exhausting. Learning how to navigate systems, meet deadlines and establish a consistent study rhythm took time and determination.
“One of the things that helped most was setting aside a full day each week just for study,” she explained. “I worked in a quiet space with minimal distractions and stuck to a routine.”
Strong support from her manager and mentor also played an important role. Regular probation meetings allowed Zee to align her workplace tasks with her studies, strengthening her understanding and building confidence. Through reflection and encouragement, she was reminded why she chose to pursue growth and new opportunities.
Zee successfully completed her traineeship and Qualification in Government, along with six additional skill sets - an achievement she is extremely proud of. Shortly after, she secured a permanent position with North Regional TAFE as an Aboriginal Education Support Officer within Aboriginal Training Services.
Today, Zee says her role has given her purpose, confidence and a renewed mindset focused on growth and achievement. She is passionate about contributing to a positive and culturally safe learning environment and supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to succeed.
Looking ahead, Zee has clear goals. While continuing in her current role, she is exploring further study and higher qualifications to strengthen her skills and expand her career opportunities within the education sector.
Reflecting on her journey, Zee believes patience and kindness—to herself and others—were key.
“Trusting the process is so important,” she said. “Whether it’s small steps or big milestones, everything happens in its own time. I truly believe those lessons have led me to exactly where I needed to be.”