Dr Mayrah Dreise is set to lead the way for improved Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural education in Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) schools since being appointed Senior Manager of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education.
Dr Dreise, a proud Gamilaraay and Yuwalaraay woman from Southwest Queensland and Northwest New South Wales, has a PhD; Bachelor of Arts – Indigenous Studies and Visual Art; and Graduate Diploma of Education.
BCE Acting Executive Director Dr Doug Ashleigh said the new role was developed to ensure First Nations Peoples lead Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education within their 146 schools, stretching from the Gold Coast to Hervey Bay.
“Learning about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and Peoples benefits all our students and helps create culturally safe schools."
“We are so delighted Dr Dreise chose to join BCE and help us further develop our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education offering.
“Representation within our workforce is vital in ensuring we represent the community we serve.
“Dr Dreise will also help guide our organisation and our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Working Group as we commit to increasing the number of First Nations peoples in Brisbane Catholic Education employment.
“BCE leadership has also committed to rolling out new online Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural inclusiveness training to all staff in 2022 to ensure culturally safe and inclusive work environments.”
Dr Dreise said she accepted the position with BCE to help make ‘real world change’ and make a difference to the lives of BCE students.
“Because it was a new position with BCE, it was an opportunity for me to be able to develop Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education across the Diocese and make a real difference, a foreseeable difference,” Dr Dreise said.
“I am excited to work with BCE to develop a new strategy for the organisation to look at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education.
“Experiencing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories in school is so important for young minds, and as we look into the future, I aspire to see more BCE students learning local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages in the classroom.
“This change will really impact our students in so many positive ways, making our students feel more included and creating strong ties to country for so many.
“We have the change in curriculum ready to go and now it’s time we make the positive change.
“I look forward to working with all 146 BCE Principals as we embark on this next phase of reconciliation.”
Background
Dr Dreise is heavily involved within the Yuwalaraay community as a traditional Song Woman, and has years of critical and evidence-based research, producing an inspiring array of published papers and policies.
Mayrah has joined BCE having most recently been in the role of Associate Professor for Indigenous Education at the Australian Catholic University, and her leadership experience includes Director of Dinjerra Enterprises, Principal at Dirranbandi State School, Principal at Harlaxton State School, Indigenous Project Leader within Oodgeroo Unit and various Faculties at QUT.
Following her passion for the arts, she has performed in festivals and her work has been exhibited in Museums and Galleries across Australia.