"BEING ABLE TO WORK ALONGSIDE MY MOB IS MOST REWARDING, AS WE ALL SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER TO BE THE BEST VERSIONS OF OURSELVES BY KEEPING CULTURALLY CONNECTED WITH EACH OTHER."
Impactor
Medika Bonney
Where are you from? I am a proud Gunditjmara, Narrunga, Wemba Wemba and Gunnai woman originally from Melbourne but has lived in country Victoria as well as regional South Australia.
What are you excited about? I have always encouraged younger generations to try their best and I try to set a good example for them and be someone they can look up to. I am also passionate in Community engagement and have a tremendous love and respect for elders as they created the paths for us today.
What does a day in the Foundation look like for you? I started at Clothing the Gaps as a casual doing tasks like folding and pick packing products. I then progressed to getting my first traineeship with AFL Sports Ready studying a Certificate 3 in Business as part of my work with the Foundation. I’m looking forward to finishing my traineeship this year. I also enjoy getting to work with Lena, hanging out with Community and ensuring people are living their best healthy lives as possible.
What are you proud of? I finished my Year 12 Victorian Certificate of Education boarding at Caulfield Grammar School in 2019.
Since achieving my VCE, I jumped straight into the workforce with Clothing the Gaps. Some of the projects I’ve been involved with and am proud of is:
Co-hosting in the Wellah Women Online Retreat
Helping administrate Koorie Circle workshops
Participating in Clothing the Gaps Foundation virtual runs
Working in Clothing the Gaps distribution centre and retail store
I am also heavily involved in Community sports such as netball and basketball. I given the opportunity to go play for the Australian Indigenous Budgies netball team in a worldwide competition held in New Zealand, an experience I will never forget and something I am immensely proud of.