Packing her bags and leaving her family behind to follow a childhood dream was never going to be easy for Curtin Marine Science graduate Brodie O’Breza.
There were moments when it felt overwhelming, moments when she questioned whether she belonged, and whether she should keep going at all.
“When I moved up to Perth, it was really hard living on campus for the first few years,” she said.
“I went home every weekend and even thought about dropping out in my first year.”
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’s 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 Curtin 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.
“I would love to eventually work in the Torres Strait.
“To reconnect with my country and culture in person and contribute to the community would mean everything to me.”
Along the way, Brodie has embraced opportunities that once felt out of reach.
Being awarded the prestigious New Colombo Plan Scholarship saw her travel to Fiji, where she undertook an internship supporting local marine communities.
“At first, I couldn’t even believe I had received it,” she said.
“But it taught me that when you feel scared or uncomfortable, that’s often when you need to say yes.”
Spending seven months abroad became a turning point.
“It made me feel like I could do anything,” she said.
“To reconnect with my country and culture in person and contribute to the community would mean everything to me.”
Brodie’s dedication and impact earned her the 2024 Indigenous STEM Student of the Year at the Premier’s Science Awards.
Now, she is setting her sights on the next chapter – pursuing a master’s 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’s one thing Brodie would tell her younger self, it’s simple:
Say yes.
“If an opportunity comes your way and you’re unsure just do it,” she said.
“Have faith in yourself. You’ll get to where you’re meant to be.”
Brodie O’Breza, Marine Research Intern at TropWATER
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’s Aboriginal STEM Student of the Year at the 2024 Premier’s 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.
