Mackenzie Davies: Showcasing my work and skills

Welcome to my Big Picture portfolio! Here you'll find a collection of my academic and professional work, demonstrating my skills, achievements, and passion for social i ntelligence and social work. Explore my projects and see how I have applied my knowledge to real-world challenges.

Acknowledgement of Country

Welcome! 

I wish to acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the land we are meeting on and recognise any other people or families with a connection to the lands of the ACT and region. 

I wish to acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region. 

I would also like to acknowledge and welcome other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who may be attending today’s event.

Karnta Jukurrpa (Women’s Dreaming) by Ivy Napangardi Poulson

This painting depicts Nakamarra and Napurrurla women hunting for bush foods. The sacred site associated with this Jukurrpa is represented as a circle around which the women sit. They are looking for sweet berries that are only available at certain times of the year. The 'kirda' (custodians) for this story are the Nakama-ra/Napurrurla women and Jakamarra/Jupurrurla men.

PERSONAL STATEMENT

A commitment to excellence

Hi, my name is Mackenzie Davies, and I attended Canberra College as part of the Big Picture Program. I joined Big Picture in Year 9 in 2023, and throughout my time in the program, I focused my projects on mental health, social issues, and deafness. Through these experiences, I have developed strong research skills and learned the importance of ensuring that what I am learning is meaningful, not only to me but also to others.

As someone who is deaf, I have experienced many social barriers, discrimination, and challenges in different environments. However, I have never allowed these experiences to define or limit me. Instead, they have made me more resilient, compassionate, and open about sharing my journey as a young deaf person.

I love learning new things and challenging myself to step outside of my comfort zone. I currently work part-time in an aged care facility and have previously worked in retail, both of which have strengthened my communication, teamwork, and adaptability skills. I have also undertaken work and research relating to domestic violence, collaborating with domestic violence hotlines and shelters to explore ways to better support women and families escaping violence and crisis.

Those who know me often describe me as funny, hard-working, caring, supportive, and a fast learner. I am someone who genuinely values helping others and strives to make a positive difference in the lives of the people around me.