The people below have accomplished many goals in their life and are an inspiration & demonstration of the opportunities available to Indigenous Australians and there capacity to achieve great things. This is what make these people “Local Legends”

Troyson Bassani
Troyson attended Yarrabah state primary school and continued on to high school at Gordonvale High until Grade 10. He then felt the need to continue his schooling outside of his local community and successfully enrolled at Marist College Ashgrove, in Brisbane, where he completed the rest of his senior schooling.

After graduating, he did two years of University study at Griffith Campus where he studied a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Political Science. He is now a student at James Cook University,  where he is completing a Double degree of both the Bachelor of Arts and a degree in Business Management. While studying he is also working at Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council as the Mayors assistant.

Bianca Ambrum
Bianca completed her schooling at Innisfail State High in 2006 and while she wasn’t known as a high achiever at school, she was aware of the importance of having an Education. Bianca faced many hurdles at school, but was very determined to complete her education. She is famous for setting goals and committing herself 100% to the cause. Bianca is currently waiting to receive her Certificate 2 & 3 in Conservation & Land Management, horticulture, waste & water management.

Bianca’s wish is to find full time employment within QLD National Parks as she loves to work outdoors and would hope to one day “Work on her Country”. Bianca is also well known for her achievements in Rugby League. She’s won a host of awards locally, and has also represented Queensland from 2007 to 2009, and the Australian Jillaroos Rugby League team in 2007. In addition, she was also the part of the inaugural Indigenous Women’s All Star team in 2011.

Kevin Wone
Kevin completed his grade 12 education at Innisfail High in 1978 and enrolled into James Cook University the next year. Study gave way to earning money for a short period, but Kevin was determined to return to study at the earliest opportunity, and in 1981 he was accepted into the TAFE teacher program in Brisbane where he later completed a Diploma of Teaching.

Kevin had a short stint in teaching in Rockhampton before returning north and found a job with the Commonwealth Department of Education, where he worked until 1989. He then returned to study, this time at the University of Southern Queensland in Toowoomba, and completed a Bachelor of Business in 1993. Since that time he has worked for James Cook University and he now runs his own accounting practice. Kevin’s work has seen him traverse the country.

Aaron Fa’aosa
Aaron has an impressive resume in acting, writing, directing and producing in Australia. His television roles include appearances in Sea Patrol on the Nine Network and City Homicide on the Seven Network. He is also in the process of producing a ten episode drama called The Straights for the ABC.

Aaron’s work has seen him nominated for male actor of the year at the Deadly’s in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010, and he’s also received an AFI nomination for Best Supporting Actor in the Television drama R.A.N.

Shannon Willett – Shannon attended Victoria Park State School and last year completed her Senior Schooling at Mackay State High where she  was one of the School’s Indigenous Young Aspiring Leaders.

While at school, Shannon enjoyed participating in programs such as the ISLIP program, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aspiration Program and the Constitution Convention Program. Participating in these programs and having guidance from home and school left Shannon confident to develop her leadership skills which she employs in the community, sporting arena,  work, school and home.

Shannon is now an employee for the ANZ Bank, thanks to a school based traineeship that was provided by the Aboriginal Employment Strategy. This program allowed Shannon to finish school while working one day a week at ANZ.

Shannon was always very active in the sporting arena, and last year Shannon represented and captained the Australian under 18 girls Futsal team that toured Brazil.  She now has the opportunity to live her dream, having been offered a scholarship with Iowa Central College in America. Here she will have the opportunity to play Football at the highest level while at the same time studying to be a nurse.

Nicole Blucher –  Nicole attended Drillham State School, in a little Western Queensland town, before moving to Mackay. She then completed Year 10 at Townsville Shalom Christian College.

Nicole became a Mum at the tender age of 17, and decided she needed to do something with her life. She completed a traineeship in Library Services at Walkerston State School and was then offered a teacher aid and tutoring position. She also worked with the Indigenous Homework Program at Slade Point for a short period before having my second daughter.

With two kids, Nicole decided to be a stay at home Mum for twelve months before returning to the workforce. She then spent four years in the employment industry as an Employment Consultant and Steppers Coordinator.

Not long after having her third child, Nicole decided she wanted a career change. An opportunity arose with the Murries in the Mines Project with Thiess and she was lucky enough to secure one of the positions as a trainee plant operator.

Neil Seden – Neil graduated Year 12 from Mackay State High School in 1995 and after taking a year off he then gained an apprenticeship with a local bricklaying company.

He completed his apprenticeship in the building and construction industry and then embarked on 10 years of travel and work around Australia. Having spent that time away from his friends and family in Mackay, Neil has recently returned home and is almost finished a traineeship with Theiss which he secured through the Murris in the Mines project.