Jillian is a proud Palawa woman from the Islands of Bass Strait and Proud Bunurong woman from Point Nepean born in Victoria with a lengthy career supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in work, education, and support in their life journey.

Jillian from Nomuckerlener has worked extensively in the First Nations space for 20 years and is strongly committed to working alongside community organisations, developing partnerships, and building cultural capacity. Jill strives to give Aboriginal people a voice through mentoring employment and education with the aim of closing the gap. 

Jillian says 'I am a Mother, a Daughter, a Sister, a Aunty and an Grandmother, however more than anything I am a proud Aboriginal woman and I want to see my people succeed in employment and education so the world can see just how amazing our people are and how living in two worlds can be achieved'.

Jillian's passion comes from her mother and father. Jillian's father is Japanangka errol West, who left a legacy in the education field for Aboriginal people. He was known as the education warrior. Jillian says 'I follow his footsteps,  and everyday he walks alongside me in the Dreamtime. In his Thesis he wrote “I first acknowledge the motivation to write, is the obligation I have to all my beautiful children. There are twelve living and some in the spiritual world and to them I dedicate this thesis with the expectation that their lives overall will be richer than mine", this is something I try to carry on in my own work. I richer for I am Aboriginal and have a culture that is both tangible and intangible in both worlds. The best journey we can have is the journey of our self within culture.'