Key points
- Sharna Willie is shaping the future of STEM through culture and connection.
- Starting with CSIRO’s Indigenous Graduate Program, she now leads as an Academic Coordinator in the Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy.
- Sharna’s story is a perfect reflection of this year’s NAIDOC theme: The Next Generation: Strength, Vision, Legacy.
Sharna Willie is shaping the future of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) through culture, connection and the power of long-term relationships. Starting with CSIRO’s Indigenous Graduate Program, she now leads as the Queensland Academic Coordinator in the Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy, empowering young women to pursue STEM with confidence, curiosity and pride in their cultural identity.
As we celebrate NAIDOC Week 2025 under this year’s theme The Next Generation: Strength, Vision, Legacy, we honour individuals who are building futures powered by culture, knowledge and innovation. Sharna Willie is a proud Nunukul, Barada Kabalbara and South Sea Islander woman, an emerging leader in STEM education, and a committed advocate for the next generation.
A Career Built on Learning, Variety and Growth
Sharna has always made the most of the opportunities in front of her and now, she’s focused on making sure other young women can do the same. Growing up in Rockhampton, she took every chance to explore, learn and step into new spaces, knowing each experience could lead somewhere meaningful.
When Sharna finished school, she wanted to go to university, but she wasn’t yet sure what she wanted to study. Her first job was as a trainee at Aurizon Railways, which provided her with broad experiences across the business and the chance to build skills in different settings. Sharna finished her traineeship with a Certificate III in Technical Engineering.
While she was working and building her career, Sharna also started volunteering for Griffith University programs that supported young people, especially young Indigenous people. She spent time supporting them one-on-one and bringing groups of young people to the university campus to help them see what might be possible for their own futures.
She enjoyed being someone they could rely on and found real purpose in walking alongside young people who, like her, came from regional communities. It was through this work that Sharna realised how much she cared about creating spaces where young women could feel supported and have access to opportunities that interested them.
Moving into Education and STEM
After working and gaining life experience, Sharna felt ready to return to study. She enrolled at Griffith University in a Bachelor of Social Science, majoring in Social Justice and Environmental Sustainability. In the final year of her degree, she worked casually at Helensvale High School as Indigenous Liaison Officer, supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
When she finished her degree, Sharna looked for her next step and successfully applied for CSIRO’s Indigenous Graduate Program. She eventually moved to CSIRO’s Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy, where she could return to the space she cared about most, supporting and walking alongside young Indigenous women.
“I loved being part of something where I could see real impact and create lasting change,” she said.
Leading the Next Generation
Today, as Queensland’s Academic Coordinator for the Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy, Sharna leads a state-wide program supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander females from Year 10 through to graduation. She travels regularly to connect with her students face-to-face or virtually, visiting them at least twice a term.
Her work goes beyond academic support. She helps students set goals, develop personal success plans, track their progress, and explore STEM career pathways. She supports them with work experience placements and connects them to external opportunities like the University of Queensland’s four-day STEM workshops. Her focus is always on creating culturally safe, supportive spaces where Indigenous young women can thrive, embrace their cultural identities, and lead in their own ways.
Hosting a STEM Camp
Earlier this year, Sharna hosted her very first STEM camp in Meanjin (Brisbane), bringing together 28 young Indigenous women from across Queensland during the April school holidays. The camp wasn’t just about science and technology it was about connection, confidence, and curiosity.
“The energy, curiosity, and determination of these Year 10 students was unforgettable,” Sharna reflected.
“They return to their communities with new knowledge, confidence, and a fire in their hearts for STEM.”
Over three days, students explored conservation at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, learned about animal care at SeaWorld, and gained hands-on experience through engineering workshops with Aurecon, Arcadis, and partners at the University of Queensland. Importantly, they were surrounded by Indigenous role models like Jasmine Yuke and Justine Murray, who showed them what’s possible when culture and science go hand-in-hand.
Sharna’s story is a perfect reflection of this year’s NAIDOC theme. She leads with strength, vision, and a deep commitment to legacy not just her own, but the legacy she’s helping the next generation to build.
“For a long time, our young women haven’t had the same pathways or support in STEM, but that’s changing. It’s about breaking down barriers, creating extra opportunities, and showing them what’s possible,” Sharna said.
“STEM has always been seen as a Western space, but our cultural knowledge belongs here, too. When young women embrace who they are and bring their culture to the table, that’s where real strength and innovation come from. This is the legacy we’re building a future where they can thrive, lead and know they belong.”
It’s a message Sharna said speaks directly to the heart of NAIDOC Week 2025.
About CSIRO’s Indigenous Education Programs
CSIRO is proud to support a range of Indigenous STEM Education initiatives aimed at inspiring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students across Australia. Programs like the Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy, Living STEM and Deadly in Generation STEM are equipping students with the tools, confidence, and mentorship needed to pursue pathways in STEM — while recognising the enduring strength of Indigenous knowledge systems.
These programs reflect our deep commitment to reconciliation, equity, and to ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives shape the future of science in Australia.