Completing the Circle: From Student Services to Strengthened Skills at Batchelor Institute
Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education, located on Kungarakan and Warai Country, is proud to celebrate the recent graduation of Nerisha Cabales with her Certificate IV in Business (BSB40120). Nerisha’s journey exemplifies the Institute’s “Both Ways” philosophy, where Indigenous knowledge and Western professional practice come together to empower students to walk their own career pathways with confidence and cultural strength.
Nerisha grew up approximately 10 kilometres north of Adelaide River in the Northern Territory. Her mother is a Palyku woman from Nullagine, and her father is a Kija (Gija) Loonga man with family ties to Halls Creek and Broome, although he was raised in Darwin. After completing high school at Kormilda College, she lived in Perth and spent time in the Pilbara before returning to the Northern Territory to raise her own children.
Her career began in education. Nerisha initially studied teaching at Batchelor Institute before relocating to Victoria for two years to support her family. Life’s challenges, including a medical episode, brought her home again. Two years ago she joined Batchelor Institute in the Residential Services Team as the Student Recreation Officer Student Services where she helped students settle in and assisted in making Batchelor feel like a home away from home.
To strengthen her administration and professional skills while balancing work and family, Nerisha undertook the Certificate IV in Business. Studying part-time alongside her role allowed her to apply new knowledge directly in the workplace, from professional email communication and document management to practical tools such as Excel spreadsheets, she uses to support students and lecturers.
“I enjoyed studying with Batchelor Institute because it provided a supportive and flexible learning environment that allowed me to work at my own pace,” Nerisha said. “The lecturers were approachable and encouraging, and the learning was practical and relevant to real workplace situations.”
She particularly values the culturally supportive environment that goes beyond the classroom. “Batchelor has a strong, culturally supportive environment. The support goes beyond the classroom and offers pathways into real and meaningful careers.”
Nerisha recently stepped into the role of Student Support/ITAS officer within Student Services. Completing her qualification has equipped her with enhanced skills to better assist students across funding applications, tutoring coordination, and community liaison, bringing her journey full circle at the Institute where she first began her studies.
Nerisha’s story highlights how Batchelor Institute empowers Indigenous Australians to create and follow their own career pathways. Whether returning to study after life’s curve balls or balancing work, family and learning, students here gain the strength and confidence to contribute meaningfully to their workplaces and communities.
We congratulate Nerisha on her achievement and thank her for her ongoing dedication to supporting the next generation of students at Batchelor Institute.
About Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education
Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education is Australia’s leading provider of tertiary education for Indigenous Australians, delivering Vocational Education and Training (VET) and higher education grounded in the “Both Ways” philosophy. With campuses on Kungarakan and Warai Country in Batchelor and Arrernte Country in Alice Springs, the Institute supports students to achieve liberation through education.