Tranby Aboriginal Co-operative: Empowering First Nations Women Through Education

For 68 years, Tranby Aboriginal Co-operative has been a beacon of empowerment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, transforming lives through education. As Australia’s oldest independent Indigenous education provider, Tranby has played a pivotal role in fostering leadership, knowledge, and opportunity within First Nations communities.

A key pillar of Tranby’s impact is the Yanalangami: Strong Women, Strong Communities program—an initiative dedicated to equipping First Nations women with the skills and confidence to navigate both corporate and cultural spaces. With over 130 Changemaker graduates, Yanalangami is not just about personal growth; it’s about creating a ripple effect of leadership and transformation across communities.

One such leader is Katherine Stone, who joined Yanalangami in 2022. After completing the intensive six-week online program, she went on to become a Community Facilitator through the ‘Train the Trainer’ initiative. Today, as National Program Manager for Yanalangami, Katherine is at the forefront of the program’s expansion, ensuring that the next generation of First Nations women are empowered with knowledge, confidence, and a strong sense of purpose.

Tranby’s commitment to gender equity and community empowerment was recently recognized when it won the First Nations Business category of the Gender Equity Awards—a testament to its enduring impact in fostering leadership and opportunity for Indigenous women.

Through its education programs, cultural leadership initiatives, and unwavering dedication to First Nations empowerment, Tranby continues to pave the way for a stronger, more inclusive future.