Krystal, a Worimi woman of Taree, has graduated with a degree in a Bachelor of Cultural Heritage majoring in cultural heritage practice, with a minor in museum studies, at the University of Canberra.

After graduation, Krystal secured a government graduate program with the ACT Parks and Conservation Service.

Krystal had previously held a two year traineeship with the Yurung Dhaura Indigenous Land Management team during university, and acted as a tour guide for Aboriginal sites.

In this time she also took part in implementing conservation and land management practices and traditional ecological knowledge under the Caring for the Cotter Project funded by the Commonwealth.

Now her job includes assisting with land management and Aboriginal heritage initiatives as part of the ACT Parks and Conservation Indigenous programs.

Between her studies Krystal has a number of other achievements under her belt.

She was the recipient of the ACT NAIDOC Trainee of the Year Award in 2012/13.

Krystal's artwork Our Water Our Country was commissioned for the NSW Office of Water and reproduced with permission from the Aboriginal Water Initiative.

Krystal had a successful basketball career in high school and this continued to university, where she took part in a number of Uni Games for basketball, playing and coaching.

Krystal attended Manning Gardens Public School, St Clare's High and finished her secondary education in Newcastle.

Although she is happy to stay in Canberra, she still misses home, especially Saltwater National Park.

"It's a very special place to my family," she said. "We go there every year."

Krystal believes learning about the importance of nature when she was growing up really shaped who she is today.

Her long time goal would be to bring her skills set back home.

Already she likes to help her father Ray Hurst with his research projects, just as he helps with hers.

Krystal's graduation ceremony was held at Parliament House and her father Ray is very proud of her.

Later Krystal would also like to continue her research. Areas she is interested in exploring include the need for more Aboriginal history in the Australian curriculum and how we can tap into knowledge systems to teach more about land management.

"I want to work with Aboriginal communities on joint projects to meet community aspirations, particularly in areas of indigenous knowledge systems, oral histories including Aboriginal land and water management.

"There is so much of our history to learn.

"I want to find gaps that I can fill."