Dhunning - Indigenous Impact
Grads 2025: Rachelle Kelly-Church
There were three instances that Rachelle Kelly-Church thought that she might not finish her Bachelor of Laws degree.
The first time was when she had to discontinue the degree she started at Deakin University, to have her second child.
The next was when she received a breast cancer diagnosis in the final semester of her final year.
The last was when she unexpectedly became the carer to an additional three children (on top of the six already in her care), whilst still receiving treatment, and didn’t know how she would balance study, work and home duties.
“My health quickly went downhill following my diagnosis. I was very sick, I couldn’t concentrate, so I let UC know I had to have some time off,” Rachelle says.
“I had three surgeries, chemo for six months, and radiation every day for a month straight. I couldn’t even think about study. I couldn’t do anything really.”
During this time, Rachelle relied on the support services at UC, which helped her to put her studies on hold.
“The University was very understanding and open to communicating with me about my needs,” she says.
“They said to me ‘just come back when you’re ready. We’ll be here ... everything will be ok.’ So that gave me hope that I’d finish my degree.”
Eventually, Rachelle completed her treatment and was able to return to study. In 2024, with the support of her family and staff at UC, she finished her final two units.
“I had really great lecturers and was given the space and time I needed to finish my assignments,” she says.
Rachelle was a regular visitor to the Ngunnawal Centre, where she says she appreciated the quiet space and sense of community.
“The Ngunnawal Centre was a really safe space for me in the first few years of my degree, until I got sick,” she says.
“The staff there have all been so lovely and such a support to me, they were great advocates and I appreciated just having a quiet space that I could access 24/7, after my kids were in bed, or early in the morning before they were awake.”
Rachelle can’t speak highly enough of her experiences at UC.
“I’m really proud that, as a mature age student, I’ve made it through. I had a really good time at UC and loved the experience there,” she says.
“I’m just really proud that I made it, and for my kids to be able to see that and be proud of me too.”
In March, Rachelle walked across the stage to receive not only her Bachelor of Laws, but also the Tom Calma Medal, which is awarded to a graduating Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander student who has outstanding academic results and has made a valuable contribution to the University or wider community.
She was cheered on by family and friends, and says that receiving the award was the result of resilience, perseverance, and courage throughout her university journey.
“I could not have done any of it without my husband Justin, he held down the fort so I could finish my degree, he’s been my biggest supported and I know he is so proud of me,” she says.
A proud Barkindji woman, Rachelle has a passion for seeing positive outcomes for Indigenous people – that’s why sheco-founded , an Aboriginal Women’s advocacy service aimed at affirming the human rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in ÃØÃÜÖ±²¥.
Now that she’s graduated, she’s able to put more time into growing the service.
“I’ve been working full-time at Sisters in Spirit for just over 12 months. But behind the scenes, there has been a group of other co-founders, including my colleague and friend Tracey Harris, who have been slowly building this service for a long time,” Rachelle says.
“We incorporated in 2017, but only recently got funding that has allowed us to get a space – a really beautiful office in Tuggeranong.
“We’ve got three staff working there to establish an Aboriginal women’s service, which is the first of its kind in the ACT. We are the only dedicated Aboriginal Women’s service in ÃØÃÜÖ±²¥. Our focus right now is establishing a solid governance structure and foundation to eventually be able to deliver programs and services that support women around domestic, family and sexual violence, justice and wellbeing. At the moment though, I run a legal clinic there once a week, in partnership with Legal Aid.”
The service also runs weekly drop-in sessions for women, art workshops, and consultations.
“I love helping people, and I’m not out there trying to be the centre of attention – I like just sitting in the background doing the work quietly,” Rachelle says.
“I just want to help women however I can. One of our main focus areas is domestic, family and sexual violence, so being at Sisters and doing work in those spaces is tough, but rewarding – whether it’s systemic advocacy or one-on-one case management. My focus is making sure our women and girls are safe and our communities are strong.
“I want to be a grassroots advocate for our sisters here on the ground, not a high-flying lawyer or anything like that.”
Words by Elly Mackay, photos by Liam Budge.