Spotlight on Sasha Shaw, Trainee Accounting Officer

Sasha Shaw is from the remote community of Yarralin, located 700 kilometres south of Katherine, along the banks of the Wickham River. She grew up speaking the Ngarinyman language of that region, as well as the widely used Kriol, spoken across many communities in the Top End.

After finishing Year 12 in Darwin at Marrara Christian College, she studied full-time for her Certificate II in Business and then worked at National Australia Bank.

Sasha first worked at Outback Stores when she was 14 years old, and after having her first child returned to work at the store in Yarralin, running the takeaway while also studying a Certificate III in Retail Services.

Sasha credits her maternal grandmother, Joy, as a big influence in the life of her and her three sisters. Joy was as a police officer for many years, wrote the Ngarinyman-English dictionary and now works as a schoolteacher in Yarralin.

“She taught us the importance of working and being professional on the job.”

“She taught us the importance of working and being professional on the job”, says Sasha, who adds that a strict upbringing shaped her for who she is today.

“I’m really grateful to her. We weren’t rich but we had everything because we were together, and we had a lot of love. She taught us everything from cooking, gardening, and cleaning the house, to Christian teachings, as well as learning to keep our Aboriginal culture and language strong.”

When Sasha was 22 years old her mother died suddenly, but the four sisters were able to manage their grief thanks to the strong mind-set that their grandmother had taught them.

“Your mind is very powerful, especially when used to uplift others. My sisters and I enjoy giving our best selves to others and making others happy. Our mind-set also helps us focus on the future, rather than dwelling on the past.”

All four sisters are pursuing their different passions: writing, physiotherapy, fashion and in Sasha’s case, business.

“Our mind-set also helps us focus on the future, rather than dwelling on the past.”

– Sasha Shaw

After spending 10 years back in her home of Yarralin, Sasha returned to Darwin with her two daughters to further her education.

Sasha is currently studying a Certificate III in Accounts Administration, while also working part-time in the Darwin Support Office of Outback Stores. After starting as an intern, Sasha was soon invited to the team as a Trainee Accounting Officer.

“Since joining the Outback Stores family Sasha has shown great enthusiasm and this, with her outgoing personality, has seen her become a valued member of our team,” says Megan Baker, Finance Manager.

Having first worked in her community store, Sasha is now enjoying learning about the accounting side of the Outback Stores business.

“I’ve tried many different jobs and activities, but now that I’ve found accounting, I’m really passionate. I’m loving it,” she says.