Darwin IAPSEN

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Joanne Hawkins

Hello, my name is Joanne Hawkins.  I am an Aboriginal woman who grew up and was raised in an urban setting in Rockhampton Queensland.  My father comes from Central Western Queensland in the Blackall district.  In my early teens, my family and I moved to Katherine (NT) in late 1983 and my parents took up employment at Ngukurr at this time.  I continued my schooling in Katherine until I was successful in winning a position with the Dept of Social Security as a typist in Katherine 1985. 

In early 1991, I transferred with my job to Darwin.  I have been in Darwin ever since and I am still employed with Centrelink, previously the Dept. of Social Security.  Along my journey (nearly 23yrs) of working with Centrelink, I have experiences many great opportunities.  Recent opportunity was applying for and becoming successful in obtaining an Indigenous Scholarship to assist me further with my studies.  I have now successfully completed my 4-year honours degree in Indigenous Community Management and Development through Curtin University of Technology in Perth Western Australia.

Throughout the course of my scholarship, I also saw windows of great opportunity.  At the time my nominal position was an APS4 position as an Indigenous Customer Service Officer (ICSO).  I applied for other positions whilst on scholarship and was successful in winning both APS5 and APS6 positions.  I have recently returned back to work full time and my current role as Senior Project Officer  (APS6) with the Indigenous Services Team in Darwin, is keeping me extremely busy with various projects around the issues that are impacting our Indigenous customers, urban, rural and remote.  In the course of my employment and studies, I have formed and maintained  strong relationships and networks which assists me in my day to day operations. 

Centrelink encouraged me to participate in an Indigenous Mentor Training workshop run by TAFENSW late last year.  In my official capacity I am now a mentor for our newest Indigenous Cadet through Centrelinks’ Cadet and Scholarship program.  I am more than happy to be able to put back into this program what it has given me.  I am also mentor to several other Indigenous staff members in an unofficial capacity.  Since completion of my own studies, I am now a registered tutor through ITAS, tutoring Indigenous students through the Indigenous Health and Community Management and Development Program.