“To me, as an Aboriginal kid growing up, I felt I was left behind,” she said. “If I had an AEO I would have done better and had support.”
Lesley has been working with her community as an AEO for 35 years and enjoys her role.

“I love the kids,” she said. “I love the connection with community. I like to build confidence, resilience and strength.
“I love being part of their education.”

She said it is important to keep Aboriginal students in NSW schools in touch with their culture.

“If they are not connected with their culture, they get left behind in our big system,” she said. “And it is a really big system.”

Like so many PSA CPSU NSW members, Lesley is there for people who require extra assistance to thrive and get the most from their schooling.
She is truly a Champion of the State.