HeyU Issue 48 - 20 July | Page 16

16 Features Yvonne O'Neill Yvonne O'Neill's experiences have led her to being able to help today’s Australian Indigenous youth. Yvonne is a proud Aboriginal woman from Goodooga, New South Wales. Her ancestry is important to her because it keeps her grounded, knowing who she is and where she is from so she can find her way forward. She was lucky to grow up in a family that gave the children knowledge surrounding their traditions, cultural ways and stories, which she is very grateful for. Yvonne’s journey to us at USQ has been filled with great accomplishment and achievement. After representing Australia in Rugby League and having her artwork displayed in the Vatican, she now looks to help Australian Indigenous children. Success is not always a straight line. Like most journeys, it certainly hasn’t been a straight line to where she is today. But one thing has remained consistent through everything, Yvonne’s roots tied to home. Let’s take a look back at what has led her to working at USQ today. WORDS: CORBEN MITCHELL IMAGES: SUPPLIED