October 23, 2013
by Marcus Priaulx
Chantal Harth dropped out of high school and had three children before the age of 21. but has gone on to become a shining example through further education.
Last month she was one of three finalists for the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of The Year Award.
The Wondai woman thrives as a sales and marketing representative for CROW-FM and has her heart set on a marketing career after she earned a Certificate III in Business at Nurunderi TAFE in Cherbourg.
But it’s not been easy.
The dark complexion of her family members and her own light skin meant Chantal had trouble being accepted by non-indigenous and indigenous children at her Rockhampton school 10 years ago.
So she dropped out at age 15 to study nursing through TAFE.
Then she met her former partner and they had a daughter, Jasmynne, 7, and sons, Jaime, 5, and Jayden, 4.
With the support of her mother and aunt, Chantal, went back to study so she could enter university before a relationship breakdown had her head to Murgon two years ago.
Family support and school allows for a great future.
She now goes to work while Jayden stays home with her Chantal’s mum, Sharynne.
Chantal then collects Jasmynne and Jamie from the school bus in the afternoon and reads to them every night before bed.
She also ensures they go to school every day.
“School gives them the confidence they need to become young adults,” she said.
“There’s the reading and writing of course but they learn things they couldn’t at home by interacting with other children and teachers.
“It gives them the social skills they need to get through life.
“Some kids aren’t academic but there’s sports and dealing with everyday life things, like making friends.”
Chantal is now going to further her education through Nurunderi TAFE in the hope she will get to market and promote an organisation like Australia Zoo.
“I love animals and everything the zoo stands for,” she said.
She’d also like to work for an organisation that encourages Aboriginal people to reach their full potential and “know how great they can be”.
“There’s so much to life,” Chantal said.
“You just need to seize it and live it to the full.”
