By Lynn Whyatt – RRR Network Story-Teller
In the heart of the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia, regional women stand as testament to resilience and diversity, a vibrant tapestry woven from the threads of mining, indigenous heritage, and the spirit of young families forging new paths. Tammee Keast, the RRR Network Ambassador for the Goldfields Region, calls Kambalda home, which is 55 kilometres south of the central hub of Kalgoorlie. Tammee’s story epitomises the multifaceted journey of a regional woman navigating the unique challenges and opportunities in regional Western Australia.
Starting with an interest in STEM in the early 2000s when online courses were not yet an option, Tammee pursued her quest for learning in isolation. She quickly realised the value of a community learning hub – a space where students could sit privately and focus – a space that was unfortunately lacking in her region. Trying to do it all from home while raising her young family proved too challenging, a scenario that many regional people are still experiencing due to inadequate study spaces and supportive hubs in regional towns.
Tammee’s value of learning continued as she explored short courses and certificates with more practical rather than theoretical learning. Her adaptability led to diverse careers in the region, from working at a local supermarket and joining the P&C, to forming Data Divas with her business partner, which is undergoing the evolution from web design to business analytics. Her journey, marked by continuous learning and personal rebranding illustrates the power in realising your potential and adapting when opportunities arise from challenges.
For Tammee, education is not a static milestone but a lifelong pursuit. With four children on varying learning pathways, the push for university education in high school is still mainstream. While the high schools in the region organise career pathway talks from the tertiary education sector, the armed forces, and other state government ran organisation, many students think that mining is their only viable option in the region. However, the need for innovation in STEM fields is apparent, as is the untapped potential for students to purse STEM opportunities facilitated through roles in the mining industry – it does not have to be the manual labour and truck driving of their parents’ generations. There is opportunity in the unconventional and Tammee advocates for more out-of-the-box thinking in the regions.
Beyond professional pursuits, community engagement became a cornerstone for Tammee. Volunteer work for St John Ambulance, a strategic role in advocating for change, and involvement in Local Government as an elected Shire Councillor underscored her commitment to making real-time impacts at the grassroots level. When regaling her passion for community, Tammee recounted an unfortunate time when her husband experienced a cardiac arrest, but his primary health care was hindered as the town was without a GP. Tammee saw opportunity in necessity and rose to the challenge. She quickly became the leader that her community needed as she manoeuvred through the necessary channels in facilitating conversations with Local, State, and Federal Government, successfully helping to secure a GP for the town. The experience provided profound insights into the tangible difference small steps can make in the long term.
As the RRR Network Regional Ambassador for the Goldfields Region, Tammee embodies the spirit of inspiring change. Her favourite quote, “Be the change you want to see” serves as her inspiration and as a rallying cry to action for her community and other regional towns across Western Australia. Tammee advocates for proactive community engagement, urging others to lead by example and initiate the change they wish to see in their communities. With a call for leadership and a belief that small steps can lead to significant transformations, Tammee is an embodiment of resilience, diversity, and the unwavering spirit of regional people.