This National Close the Gap Day (16 March), Dr Mayrah Dreise is leading the way for improved Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural education within Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE).
The proud Gamilaraay and Yuwalaraay woman from Southwest Queensland and Northwest New South Wales was appointed as Senior Manager of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education in March 2022.
Over the past 12 months, among Dr Dreise’s achievements include contributing to a syllabus for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages and developing BCE’s next Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Strategy.
Dr Dreise who holds a PhD; Bachelor of Arts – Indigenous Studies and Visual Art; and Graduate Diploma of Education, says her role allows her to make ‘real world change.’
“In my role I have the opportunity to make a real difference, a foreseeable difference,” says Dr Dreise.
“Over the past year we have worked on writing a syllabus for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages, with two BCE schools already adopting the curriculum in 2023.
“This year one of my goals is to improve attendance and engagement of First Nations students by embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives into the curriculum.
“For instance, when we look at history, we don’t separate Australian history and First Nations history.
“Or when teaching arts or English, students we will explore Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, poets, and writers.”
In addition to closing the gap, working to create a more equitable future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, Dr Mayrah Dreise is an important female leadership role model, being a panellist during BCE's recent International Women’s Day event.
Dr Dreise says days such as International Women’s Day are important because “it’s a day we can highlight women of colour, not just their achievements but also their ongoing struggles, including wage inequalities.”
“International Women’s Day is all about having minority female voices heard, and helping those women be at the table where significant decisions are being made,” Dr Dreise added.
Dr Mayrah Dreise 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.
About National Close the Gap Day:
National Close the Gap Day campaign was first observed in 2007 in response to the poor health outcomes among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia. Studies have shown that the life expectancy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is 10-17 years lower than that of non-Indigenous Australians.
The main aim of National Close the Gap Day is to make people from both indigenous and non-indigenous backgrounds aware of this problem and work towards finding ways to solve it.
Read the 2023 report "Strong Culture, Strong Youth: Our Legacy, Our Future".