Daa'ring Yarning - Voices from the Frontline

In our latest episode of Daa'ring Yarning, host Kerry Staines sits down with Rachael Hill, a proud Larrakia, Wangi, Gurindji, Arubunda, and Tiwi woman, whose story is a powerful reminder that passion for community and culture can build pathways to leadership.

From her first role as a receptionist at the North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Service (NAFLS) to becoming the organisation's Cultural and Engagement Lead, Rachael's journey shows the value of persistence, mentorship, and staying grounded in culture.

Her career has taken her across the Northern Territory — from supporting families on Country to representing her community at national levels. But through it all, she remains focused on one thing: ensuring Aboriginal clients are at the centre of every service and decision.

In this episode of Daa'ring Yarning – Voices from the Frontline, host Kerry sits down with Thelma Schwartz, Executive Director of Legal at the Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service (QIFVLS), to unpack QIFVLS's cultural participation program, which was co-designed with the Queensland Police Service, to help build cultural capability and understanding in responses to family violence. Kerry and Thelma also yarn about her connection to culture, with Thelma sharing her deep cultural lineage connecting Samoa, Papua New Guinea, and the Torres Strait, and how her heritage shapes her leadership and advocacy. In her closing reflections, Thelma speaks about the importance of walking in two worlds — maintaining her cultural identity while navigating the legal system. "For a long time, I felt pressure to hide my culture. I thought I had to fit the mould — like the lawyers I saw on TV. But pretending made me miserable. I've learned that culture is my strength. It's what connects me to people, to purpose, to Country." She now encourages young First Nations professionals to embrace who they are and to lead with cultural integrity. "Don't suppress who you are. Your culture is your strength. It's what will carry you through."