Babetha Nawia

Moa Arts

I am the fifth child out of five, the language most used in my household is Kala Lagaw Ya and I live on Kubin Moa Island. My birthplace is Thursday Island is where I spent first years of my kindy. My family than moved to Moa Island where I did grade 1-3 at St Pauls Community, later on did year 4-7 at Kubin Village and graduated primary school. Attended a boarding school at St Ursula’s Toowoomba, around year 11 I relocated to Mount Saint Bernards Herberton repeated the same year and graduated year 12. City life was very different from Kubin. I would get homesick all the time because I wasn’t able to do what I do on the islands, like walking on the reef fishing, swimming in freshwater creek or saltwater, bush bashing, making a fire in the backyard and most of all being with my family. One thing I learnt from boarding was to be independent.

After high school it was than a search to find my adult hood, what were my options and opportunities at this point. After spending 3 years in Cairns, I returned home at age of 20. Full of hope I searched for jobs, lucky enough worked at TSIRC for a year as administration officer, I than worked at our primary school as a cleaner and admin. Doing two jobs at once was very eye opening. This unlocked skills, I didn’t know I had. It was a great opportunity to thicken my resume and get more experience, but I knew it was something I didn’t want to do in the long run. A new job was opening at our local art centre – Moa Arts. I succeed as an applicant and never been happier. I’m currently working as their Sales and Marketing Assistant, more new openings to bigger and better opportunities. I would like to take this moment to thank Moa Arts. With all the things I’ve learnt so far it will definitely benefit me in my career.