Welcome to Ganbina Jean! Can you start with telling us a bit about yourself? What’s your mob and connections to community?
My name’s Jean Miller-Fowler. I was born and raised in Shepparton and have lived here my whole life. I have three children, who are 17, 12 and 10 and have been with my partner for 26 years. I’m a proud Yorta Yorta, Wiradjuri and South Sea Islander woman, so I have connections through Victoria, New South Wales and up to Queensland.
What has been your involvement with Ganbina prior to becoming the GM?
My previous connections have been through my children, who have all been participants of Ganbina’s different programs in Shepparton. The first time I signed up my eldest daughter was in 2012, so we have a long-term family connection to Ganbina. All three of my kids are on the program at the moment, from primary school, secondary school and my eldest is on the employment program. Chenneil was also on the Youth Leadership Program, in 2023.
What were you doing before you applied for the role of GM at Ganbina?
I spent 10 years in early childhood education, so I worked in childcare settings, kindergarten settings and then moved into working in primary schools and Aboriginal specific programs. So, my career spans over 20 years and the majority of that has been in the education space. I was the coordinator for the Home Interaction Program for seven years in Shepparton, which focused on school readiness for children, but it is also about empowering parents to build skills and consider where they want to take their own careers once their children go to school.
It sounds like you have a real passion for education and specifically, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education
Yes, that’s correct. I’ve been in this space for more than 20 years and I come from a family where my mother and older siblings all worked in the education space, in various roles across the state and nationally. So education has been ingrained in our family as well as sharing culture.
How did you find out about the GM role at Ganbina?
My career took a turn into the arts space last year, I thought I’d try something different but it wasn’t long until I realised education was where I belong. So I applied for the GM role when it came up and I was successful.
What made you want to apply?
I’d previously been in a coordinators position and managed teams to deliver services for our Koorie families in Shepparton and that was something I really enjoyed. I had been encouraged to go into management in the past. So, it’s something that’s always been on my radar and I felt it was the right time in my career to have a go at something bigger.
How have you been settling into your first couple of weeks in the role?
Given that I know most of the team because my kids are on the Ganbina program it’s been a really pleasant start. I really like the Ganbina team’s work ethic, I know they do a really good job because I’m a parent. I’ve had a really great start with Anthony, Tracy and the rest of the team, so it’s been awesome.
What are you looking forward to in your new role?
I’m looking forward to growing and learning. I know I’ve got a lot to learn from the team at Ganbina. I enjoy learning across my career and I’ve never stopped learning. Learning and evolving is important to me, both personally and professionally.
What is coming up at Ganbina over the next 2-3 months that our participants and families can look forward to?
The Ganbina Youth Achievement Awards night will be in November, we’re currently locking in the details for that event. We had the Youth Leadership Program trip to New Zealand in September so it was all hands on deck from the team to organise that. We’ve really been supported by everyone here in the Shepp office, locking everything in and preparing our youth for their first international trip. The applications for the Ganbina Youth Achievement Awards will also be open from Monday, September 30th until Friday October 18th.
Anything else you’d like to add?
This is a new role for me, I’m really looking forward to learning and growing professionally and personally here at Ganbina. I know I’ve got a lot to give this team and I’m really looking forward to my journey with Ganbina and where it takes me.