- Go to homepage
- About
- Media
- Empowering Aboriginal educators from learning to leading
Back to:Media
Media release
TAFE NSW Eora | 2 September 2025
Empowering Aboriginal educators from learning to leading
“It was a gift to come back to TAFE NSW Eora, the place that nurtured me. To now be part of nurturing others – it feels like this is exactly where I was meant to be.”
Elizabeth (Murrah) Keys, Head Teacher of Culture, Arts and Media
The TAFE NSW Paid to Learn program is helping boost the number of industry professionals taking their next career steps as vocational teachers. After completing the program, proud Worimi woman Elizabeth (Murrah) Keys now inspires others.
The bespoke program recruits specialists from high-demand industries. They're paid an income while they complete their vocational education teaching qualifications. After they graduate, they’re hired by TAFE NSW.
The program is transforming the teaching workforce at TAFE NSW. Of the most recent Paid to Learn cohort, 16% identify as Aboriginal - more than double that of the first two intakes.
Murrah had been a high school teacher for almost two decades but craved change. She decided to return to study. She enrolled in the Certificate III in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Cultural Arts, and the Certificate II and Certificate IV in Music at TAFE NSW Eora in Chippendale.
After her studies, she joined the Paid to Learn program. Now she’s returned to TAFE NSW Eora as a teacher, and is currently acting as the head teacher for Culture, Arts and Media at the campus.
Murrah said she’s focused on helping shape a culturally strong and safe learning space for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students.
“It was a gift to come back to TAFE NSW Eora, the place that nurtured me. To now be part of nurturing others - it feels like this is exactly where I was meant to be,” Murrah said.
“Art is healing for our mob. Most students who come here are on their own healing journeys and being able to support that is a deeper kind of teaching. It’s about connection, not just content.
“This role, this community - the reward is not just in what I teach, but in what I learn from our students. We walk this together.”
Through Paid to Learn, Murrah fast-tracked her Teaching and Assessment (TAE) qualification and did teaching placements that led to her current leadership position.
“Being in the head teacher role has given me a much deeper understanding of the student journey, from enrolment right through to graduation,” she said.
“It’s a big role, but my background in education prepared me well. And more than anything, it’s about creating a safe, connected learning space where we can share culture, stories, and strength.”
Murrah said what makes the TAFE NSW Eora campus special for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students is its spirit of shared learning.
“We don’t just teach here. We listen, we grow together, and we leave feeling more grounded. There’s so much joy in that. I call it ‘Black Joy’ - and it’s everything.”
Media contact: Rob Virtue, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, 02 7920 5000.
Get inspired
Keep up to date with what’s happening at TAFE NSW by reading more stories.