Sherie Bruce

Sherie is of Aboriginal descent from the Central Arrernte of Mparntwe (Alice Springs) with a deep cultural connection to the Yolgnu of Ramingining, Northern Territory and has Scottish ancestors. She is currently living on Darumbal Country near Rockhampton in Central Queensland.

Sherie is an Environmental Scientist currently researching Environmental Biotechnology waste solutions at CQUniversity and Lecturer of the unit Indigenous and Community Engagement. Her other roles are as a tutor for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students preparing to enter study or currently studying at CQUniversity. Her full-time job at CQUniversity as a Project Research Officer is working on an Australian First Nations digital training tool. Sherie is deeply committed to indigenising the Curriculum at CQUniversity and is one of the Champions supporting the Communities of Practice team.

Sherie is a passionate advocate of equality and equity, focusing on Australian First Nations rights, social justice and the environment. She has lived and worked in remote, regional, and urban communities. Having worked in environmental advocacy, mining, Queensland government, academia and non-profits, Sherie has developed unique insights into communities’ needs.

Sherie is the Deputy Chair of Queensland Conservation Council (QCC), the peak non-profit body representing Queensland conservation groups. She is pleased to be working with the QCC Executive and staff on implementing reconciliation practices, including a Reconciliation Action Plan and other decolonising strategies.

Sherie is proudly following her mother’s footsteps, Esther Pearce a passionate advocate for equality for all Australians through her work in community development and her Grandmother Elizabeth (Betty) Pearce, who has been a prominent Aboriginal activist in the Northern Territory, Australia and Internationally.

Sherie describes WELA as “absolutely life changing” as it pushed her to step into the leadership position she currently occupies, which you can hear about in her video.

WELA gave Sherie the opportunity to “meet many fantastic women from around Australia”, and she knows the deep connections forged through the program will continue into the future.