Indigenous program inspires law career
Tilly Langford was convinced she would leave school after Year 10 and study hairdressing. Now she’s graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws, and is six months into a paid internship with Airbnb’s legal team.
The turning point for Tilly was a University of Sydney residential program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander high school students – and she was back this week inspiring the next generation, including her own sibling Winter.
“You don't realise that there are opportunities available to you until you're actually faced with the opportunities,” Tilly said.
“I didn't know studying law was an option beforehand. I thought oh, that only happens in movies. Then I went to this camp and there were so many incredible professional people who were saying no, this is real, and this is how we're going to get you there if you want to be there.
“I felt so much more comfortable here than I thought I would or than I thought could be possible.”
Arts/Laws graduate Tilly Langford with her sibling Winter Southwood on the Gadalung residential program at the University of Sydney this week.
Raised in the Southern Highlights and South Coast of NSW, the Gumbaynggirr woman said it was her childhood experience with the family law court that sparked her desire to understand and eventually work in law. She specialised in intellectual property law and wants to use her knowledge to protect and empower First Nations communities and businesses.
Throughout her time studying at the University of Sydney, Tilly discovered a knack for social media and has worked for a variety of clients including the Australian Council of Trade Unions and the Yes23 campaign while building her own audience on TikTok.
@tilly.gov.au 🖤💛❤️ love getting out of the city for a breath of home and culture . . . #Aboriginal #culture #Blaktok #Gumbaynggirr #southcoastnsw #art #traditionalpractise ♬ original sound - Tilly [-o-]🍉
She also worked as a student ambassador and relished the opportunity to pass on the same mentoring she once received to high school students taking part in the Tahgara, Gadalung and Ngara programs.
“It's been really lovely being someone that can give genuine advice to the high schoolers who are interested in studying. Just being able to reassure them is such a big part of the job, and it's been so impactful to me. Education isn't just to teach you, it's also to connect you with people,” Tilly said.
“I'll be walking around campus and some students that I haven't seen in years will come up to me and say, ‘oh my gosh, you're the girl who talked to me at that careers fair, now I'm studying here, thank you for that’.
“It's just so lovely having that impact on people and knowing that sometimes they just need a friendly face to say: it's going to be okay. You can do this.”
A family affair
One of those friendly faces this week was Tilly’s 16-year-old sibling Winter Southwood, who was one of 89 high schoolers taking part in the Gadalung residential program from December 2-6.
“I love Greek mythology, ancient history and just anything that’s old, but I don't know exactly what I want to do after school and so that's why I'm here, to explore what opportunities there are,” Winter said.
“It's been a lot of fun going to the lectures and seeing what the courses are about. It’s been really helpful and insightful on how to actually get into uni.
“It's a lot more interactive than I thought it would be. We went to the sound and communications building and we did some actual work with the podcasting equipment. That's not something I thought I'd be into. So, it's opened up some new things, and it's also narrowed it down a little bit as well.”
Winter's time in the Gadalung program helped confirm their interest in psychology and also reignited a passion for podcasting.
More than 300 students in Years 10-12 have taken part in the Gadalung and Tahgara programs since 2021. So far 66 of those students have gone on to study at the University of Sydney, with more indicating their preference to do so in 2025.
Director of the Gadigal Centre, Jane Stanley, said the University was committed to creating higher education opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
“We love welcoming students from high schools around the country, and sharing the opportunity to experience university life, explore their interests and imagine their futures.
“Our range of initiatives for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students – including our pre-tertiary outreach programs like Gadalung, admission pathways and scholarships – continue after high school.
“We strive to walk alongside our students while they’re studying with us, with ongoing academic, financial and wellbeing support as well as mentoring and networking opportunities as they settle into university life.”
Learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs for high school students here, and about pathways to the University of Sydney here.