Jane Stanley
Wiradjuri woman and Director, Gadigal Centre
Jane Stanley, a proud Wiradjuri woman with ties to her family’s country in Wellington, has played a vital role in shaping the Gadigal Centre into a hub of community and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff. Since stepping in as Director in 2021, she’s made it her mission to create a culturally safe and welcoming space.
“I call it our little community within the community of the University of Sydney,” she says. "It's important for mob to feel safe, whether they're students or staff, it's important for them to feel accepted and to feel that they're a part of the workplace."
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It's important for mob to feel safe, whether they're students or staff. It's important for them to feel accepted and to feel that they're a part of the University of Sydney.
At the heart of Jane’s experience is the Yura Network, which connects Indigenous staff across the University. "That was where I built a lot of my connections,” she says. "They run different workshops and hold lunches at the end of the year. And it's just great for mob to get together and be able to connect and talk about their experiences here at the University."
For Jane, the University’s support during a challenging first year made all the difference. When she needed to take sorry business leave, her colleagues and boss responded with the empathy she needed. "The University and particularly my boss and the portfolio were very supportive of making sure that I was ready to come back to work."
With more opportunities emerging each year, Jane is passionate about sharing the sense of belonging and purpose she’s found here. "I'd recommend people to come," she says. "It's a safe place to work and very rewarding."
