There’s no two ways about it: Patricia Klauss and Dylan Louie walk together to ensure no one is left behind.

Colleagues at Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation and fellow students at VACCHO’s Yagilaith Djerring, the pair are determined to upskill to better support their Community.

We spoke to Trisha and Dylan about their study experience – and how working together has helped drive their success. 

Making moves and building skills

Trisha and Dylan aren’t just clocking hours at Mungabareena – they’re making a real difference in their Community.

Trisha, a proud Yorta Yorta and Wiradjuri woman, works as a Koori Maternity Support Service Worker at Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation. But it isn’t her first time in community service. Far from it.

‘I’ve always supported my Community, even if it wasn’t through an Aboriginal organisation,’ she says. Currently studying the Certificate IV in Aboriginal Primary Health Care Practice, she’s determined to give back as much as she can.

‘As soon as I see someone hurt, I want to be able to help,’ she explains. And for her, that means showing up. Again and again.

Meanwhile, Dylan’s story started miles away, in Queensland. A proud Kamilaroi man, he found his way to Mungabareena as an Admin Officer and, soon after, dove into healthcare.

His spark? A Medicare Gathering at VACCHO. ‘It got me really interested in healthcare, and two weeks later, I was down here starting my course.’ Plus, he’s gearing up to help launch a new clinic in Wangaratta.

Using education as leverage

Trisha knows the power of education. It’s more than a certificate; it’s leverage. She’s lived it.

Her journey took her from Albury/Wodonga to Queensland, where she discovered that experience alone wouldn’t get her through the door.

‘I didn’t have the qualifications, so I didn’t even get an interview,’ she says. It was a wake-up call – and a turning point. Now, she’s stacking qualifications and experience to make sure she’s not just invited to the table but has the tools to build her own.

Dylan is taking notes from Trisha’s playbook. He’s all about making the most of his opportunities.

‘The world is our oyster. If you want to do something, you can do it if you put your mind to it.’

VACCHO: The backbone of support

When you’ve got the drive, you need the right support – and for Trisha and Dylan, VACCHO has been a game-changer.

Trisha, a single mum, explains how critical that support is.

‘All my money goes back to my kids back home. VACCHO helps us with accommodation and lets us cook in the kitchen. We can be ourselves here. It’s the difference between getting by and thriving.’

Dylan agrees. ‘I used to be too shame to speak,’ he says. But he credits the course – and Trisha – for his newfound confidence. As for the opportunities he’s found through VACCHO, he says they just weren’t available in in other states. ‘There’s a lot more in Victoria for Mob to upskill.’

‘Doing a course with a colleague helps us get motivated. We travel together, cook together, and keep each other going,’ says Trisha. It’s the kind of partnership that makes the grind worthwhile.

Creating a strong future by walking together

Trisha and Dylan aren’t stopping with their current roles, either – they’re thinking long-term. Trisha’s main motivation? Setting an example for her children.

‘I want to make sure my kids and Mob are taken care of, now and into the future when I’m gone.’ Her dream is to stay at Mungabareena, upskilling the next generation. ‘I want to train younger people, so the knowledge stays in my hometown.’

Dylan, on the other hand, has his eyes set on leadership. ‘I see myself being a Clinic Manager or Coordinator and opening more clinics.’ At 27, he’s already planning for growth, not just for himself but for his entire Community.

‘You build the clinics; I’ll train the staff!’ Trisha laughs.

Showing up day in, day out

Trisha and Dylan’s partnership is built on more than convenience – it’s a blueprint for how to lead by example.

For Trisha, her daughter is a key audience. ‘She’s seen my journey, and now she wants to be a midwife,’ she says. It’s about setting a visible path for others to follow. Her message? ‘It’s never too late. I’m 47, and I’m still studying. I’ll probably do another course after this.’

Dylan’s focus is on changing the narrative.

‘I want to show people that it’s never too late to turn your life around. I was a troubled teenager and I just finished a Diploma in Community Services and now I’m doing my Certificate IV an Aboriginal Primary Health Care Practice.’

Together, Trisha and Dylan are rewriting what it means to be a student, a colleague and a leader. They’re not just showing up – they’re shaping a future where Mob have the skills, confidence and community backing to thrive.

About Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation

Founded in 1994, Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation provides a range of services to meet the health and wellbeing needs of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in Albury/Wodonga.

The corporation supports Community through motivation, education and cultural acknowledgment – and by providing a sense of belonging and ownership.

Mungabareena is proud, strong, respectful and culturally centred – forever grounded in self-management and self-determination.