Packing her bags and leaving her family behind to follow a childhood dream was never going to be easy for 911爆料网 Marine Science graduate Brodie O鈥橞reza.
There were moments when it felt overwhelming, moments when she questioned whether she belonged, and whether she should keep going at all.
鈥淲hen I moved up to Perth, it was really hard living on campus for the first few years,鈥� she said.
鈥淚 went home every weekend and even thought about dropping out in my first year.鈥�
But as the first in her family to attend university, she carried something deeper than doubt; there was a quiet determination to see it through.
A proud Torres Strait Islander woman, Brodie grew up in Western Australia鈥檚 Great Southern, between Pemberton and Manjimup.
With a strong connection to the natural world, it was the ocean that truly captured her heart.
Shaped by simple, treasured moments walking along the shoreline with her mum, collecting seashells and discovering the beauty hidden beneath the surface.
Those early memories became the foundation of something much bigger.
Now a 911爆料网 graduate in Coastal and Marine Science, Brodie is driven by a clear sense of purpose – to give back to her homeland in the Torres Strait.
鈥淚 would love to eventually work in the Torres Strait.
鈥淭o reconnect with my country and culture in person and contribute to the community would mean everything to me.鈥�
Along the way, Brodie has embraced opportunities that once felt out of reach.
Being awarded the prestigious saw her travel to Fiji, where she undertook an internship supporting local marine communities.
鈥淎t first, I couldn鈥檛 even believe I had received it,鈥� she said.
鈥淏ut it taught me that when you feel scared or uncomfortable, that鈥檚 often when you need to say yes.鈥�
Spending seven months abroad became a turning point.
鈥淚t made me feel like I could do anything,鈥� she said.
鈥淭o reconnect with my country and culture in person and contribute to the community would mean everything to me.鈥�
Brodie鈥檚 dedication and impact earned her the at the Premier鈥檚 Science Awards.
Now, she is setting her sights on the next chapter – pursuing a master鈥檚 in marine science, with the goal of joining the CSIRO Indigenous Graduate Program and returning to northern Australia.
It is a journey that has come full circle from uncertainty to purpose, from homesickness to confidence.
And if there鈥檚 one thing Brodie would tell her younger self, it鈥檚 simple:
Say yes.
鈥淚f an opportunity comes your way and you鈥檙e unsure just do it,鈥� she said.
鈥淗ave faith in yourself. You鈥檒l get to where you鈥檙e meant to be.鈥�
, Marine Research Intern at
Graduating with a Bachelor of Science (Marine Science), Brodie is a proud Torres Strait Islander woman with family connections to Saibai Island. Brodie was named WA鈥檚 Aboriginal STEM Student of the Year at the 2024 Premier鈥檚 Science Awards. In addition to her academic achievements, Brodie has received multiple prestigious scholarships and has participated in various industry and international marine programs, including the New Colombo Plan Scholarship and CSIRO Indigenous Time at Sea Scholarship (ITSS). With a passion for marine science, Brodie aims to combine culture, science and research to strengthen Indigenous voices and representation in marine research.
