Tegan Burns

2021 Cohort

Tegan is developing a strength-based approach to identify opportunities and ways to empower the Quandamooka community that ensure members are spiritually and mentally strong, immersed and proud of their culture, and create positive outcomes.

Tegan Burns is a proud Quandamooka woman from Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island). Having grown up on the Island she has always had a deep connection to Country, culture and community, and community empowerment is at the core of everything she does.

As a Director of Goompi Give and Grow and Goompi Projects, she wants to create positive experiences for the community – experiences that ensure youth know that they matter. She wants to empower people to find their voice and speak their truth.

Her vision is for a future where all the Quandamooka Community are spiritually and mentally strong, immersed in and proud of their culture and are living the highest standard of life possible.

Tegan is passionate about mental health and reduction of suicide rates. She has dedicated the majority of her working life to giving back to community, working at the local Respite Centre to provide services and support to Elders, and at the local school as the Aboriginal Liaison Officer, identifying opportunities and ways to empower community.

Whilst only young, she is kicking goals for the Island community and has a drive like no other. Coming from a real-estate background, her people skills and attention to detail ensures professionalism on all projects she works on. Her ability to solve problems is complemented by being a mother and aunty to many of the Island’s children.

“I want my people to feel strength and pride in who they are, and where and what they have come from. Despite colonisation and the atrocities our mob have experienced we are still here, we are still strong, we are still flourishing and thriving. We deserve to be empowered, included and treated equitably. Our voices deserve to be heard.”