Caps were flung high in the air by 45 graduates at the Munarra Centre on Wednesday, April 1 after a ceremony that celebrated their accomplishments with emotional speeches and food served by workers from Munarra.

The qualifications recognised included Diploma of Community Services, Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs, Certificate IV in Community Services and Certificate III in Individual Support.

The training programs ranged in length from 15 months to two years and were delivered by Partners in Training Australia in association with the Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence and Rumbalara Aboriginal Co‑operative.

Partners in Training Australia chief executive Phillip Evans said that many of the graduates had secured work in their fields prior to completing their qualifications.

“We’re very proud to be part of the Munarra Centre and have a lot of Indigenous students,” Mr Evans said.

“The vision here is to have a culturally inclusive space where Indigenous and non-Indigenous students can learn together.”

Jessica Utiger has completed a Diploma in Mental Health and a Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs at the age of 43 after being a stay-at-home mother for 24 years.

She said she felt “very well supported by Partners in Training and the Munarra Centre”.

“I walked in thinking I had nothing to loose, not realising that I had everything to gain,” she said.

Ms Utiger hopes to become a mental health clinician and now feels prepared to take on a Bachelor of Social Work.

She is currently working as wellbeing peer navigator at Mental Health and Wellbeing Local.

“I’m lucky enough to work somewhere I can use my lived experience and not be judged for it,” she said.

During the ceremony, Ms Utiger thanked training co-ordinator Terri-Ann Allen on behalf of the graduates and said “she pushed us, kept us accountable and made sure we showed up not just in our work, but as people”.

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