From homelessness to graduation: A First Nations woman changing lives across Australia

After a 15-year journey impacted by homelessness, bereavement, family violence, mental health challenges, remote living, and full-time work, First Nations woman Jasmine Brooks has graduated from the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ).

The Bachelor of Human Services graduate supports young people and communities across Australia through her role at the Indigenous Marathon Foundation, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of educational opportunity and perseverance.

For Jaz – a Darkinyung woman from Wollombi in NSW – graduating from university was something she once believed was beyond her reach.

“I never actually thought I was going to do a degree,” she said. “I just didn't think it was possible for me.

Jaz first enrolled at UniSQ in 2010 after completing a Certificate IV in Community Services through TAFE. Rather than enrolling directly into a bachelor’s degree, she chose a diploma because it felt more achievable.

The diploma took five years to complete before she returned to continue into the bachelor’s degree, graduating in June this year.

“Earning a degree feels like the top achievement of my lifetime,” she said.

The achievement, which included receiving UniSQ’s academic excellence prize, carries special significance for Jaz and her family. She and her sister are the first generation in their family to attain degrees.

Her seven-year-old daughter watched proudly from the audience during the recent graduation ceremony.

“The highlight of my night was when I was walking across the stage, and the whole theatre heard this little voice yell out, ‘Go Mum!’,” she said.

Throughout her studies, Jaz worked full-time in youth services and in remote Indigenous communities across Australia, including the Northern Territory, Western Australia, and South Australia.

She studied while living in communities far removed from major centres, often relying on support from UniSQ to remain connected to her coursework.

Staff regularly posted resources to remote communities, organised access to materials, and helped overcome geographical barriers that could easily have ended her studies.

“The support of the library staff, having people post books and scanned chapters, was critical,” she said.

Alongside the challenges of distance, Jaz navigated significant personal hardships.

At different times throughout her studies, she experienced homelessness, family violence, mental health challenges, and the unexpected loss of her partner.

She recalls periods of living in a tent near Bundamba while studying and working.

“I felt like this imposter student,” she said. “All the other students seemed organised and together and I was trying to blend in.”

When her partner died unexpectedly in 2013, Jaz’s studies were placed in jeopardy as she faced significant mental health challenges. The loss became one of her motivations to continue.

Despite the obstacles, Jaz continued progressing one subject at a time. She credits UniSQ’s flexible pathways and student support services with helping her continue her studies through significant life challenges.

Support ranged from academic flexibility to specialist support programs that helped her navigate difficult personal circumstances while remaining enrolled.

Jaz also witnessed significant growth in First Nations support during her years as a student.

When she commenced her studies, there was limited Indigenous academic representation. Over time, she watched dedicated First Nations student spaces, academic pathways, research opportunities, and culturally safe learning environments emerge across the University.

Today, Jaz works as Regional Development Manager with the Indigenous Marathon Foundation, supporting young people in schools, communities, and youth justice settings across Australia.

She said her UniSQ degree has strengthened her ability to contribute to communities and support others facing their own challenges.

“I'll continue to give back through communities and through this work,” she said. “The reach has gone way beyond me.”

Despite reaching the graduation milestone, Jaz has no plans to stop studying.

She has already enrolled in a Master of Social Policy and Community Development while continuing her professional and community commitments.

Reflecting on her journey, she hopes her story encourages others who may believe university is beyond their reach.

She hopes people recognise the broader impact of supporting students facing disadvantage.

“I really cannot describe how important UniSQ has been and how amazing the support has been,” she said.

“They make that extra effort to reach out and pull people in.”

For Jaz, that support helped create opportunities not only for herself, but also for the many young Australians and communities she now serves every day.