Meet the Tribe
At Tribe Academy, we pride ourselves on our love for our culture and identity and the importance of connection - especially with family, community and country.
We firmly believe that by nurturing a healthy body, mind, and spirit our youth will cultivate positive relationships and habits, ensuring a brighter future for generations to come.
Shennae Neal
Shennae Neal, also known as Gilpul, derives her language name from the Rainforest Umbrella leaf, symbolizing her deep connection to her culture and environment. Born and raised in Yarrabah, Shennae's heritage spans across her mother's Yidinji and Djabugay roots from the Cairns area, and her father's lineage from the Kuku Djungan tribe of Mount Mulligan and the Gunggandji tribe of Yarrabah.
Growing up amidst the challenges of Yarrabah, Shennae's childhood was nevertheless enriched by her strong ties to culture, community, and the land and sea. Despite facing hurdles such as housing instability and limited opportunities for young females, she found solace and strength in her heritage and upbringing.
Driven by her lived experiences of overcoming adversity, Shennae is fiercely passionate about creating positive change within her community. From organizing boot camps and dance projects to spearheading initiatives like the Yarrabah Youth Council and the Yarrabah Nighthawks Netball club, she has been instrumental in providing opportunities for young people to thrive.
Through her business ventures, including Gilpuls Takeaway and Catering Services, Shennae not only provides employment opportunities for young people and disadvantaged females but also instills in them the confidence and skills needed for sustainable livelihoods. With four years of experience running school canteens, she has actively invested in the future of Yarrabah's youth.
Continuously leveraging her platform, Shennae empowers and motivates young people through social media, sharing inspirational videos and lending her voice to local events as a guest speaker. Her unwavering commitment to advocacy and community upliftment serves as a beacon of hope and resilience for the next generation.
Matt Cheetham
Matt is a proud Aboriginal man with deep ancestral ties to the Jirrbal people through his grandmother's lineage and to the Ngaro and Gia clans of the Birri Gubba nation through his grandfather's bloodline.
With over a decade of experience across various sectors including education, child safety, and environmental science, Matt has dedicated himself to empowering youth and driving positive change in the community.
Matt is passionate about implementing change through educating our youth to foster positive relationships with themselves and their country, by creating connections to mind, body, community and culture.
His journey in human services and community development roles reflects his unwavering commitment to supporting the next generation.
Growing up in Babinda instilled in Matt a profound appreciation for the importance of community and mutual support. He firmly believes that fostering strong connections with community and building positive relationships is essential for the holistic success of young people.
A proud father and husband, Matt's advocacy extends beyond traditional boundaries, encompassing the vital aspects of relationships and role modelling. Matt leads by example and his passion for being a catalyst of change is evident in every endeavour he undertakes, shaping a brighter future for generations to come.
Keah Cheetham
Keah Cheetham is a proud Cairns local with a passion for mentoring people through; personal training, mental wellbeing and personal development.
Raised in Cairns and educated at Saint Monica’s, Keah embarked on a fulfilling journey as a Personal Trainer, overseeing her own studio for 5 years. It was at her studio that she recognised the importance of incorporating physical health with mental wellbeing. Her expertise extends beyond individual training sessions; she's dedicated to promoting mental wellness and fostering resilient connections.
Keah's excitement lies in delivering programs to youth (particularly young women) in communities, empowering them to prioritise not only their physical wellbeing but also their self-worth, and helping them to discover their purpose.
As a mother and wife, Keah knows the importance of healthy relationships and believes that everyone deserves to live a fulfilling life and she has made it her mission to help others to find their place in society.
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