After completing her Honours thesis on racial discrimination law and graduating with a Bachelor of Arts/Law (Honours) at the Australian National University (ANU), Tess moved to the Northern Territory (NT) to pursue her interests in criminal law, law reform and social justice.

Whilst at ANU, Tess utilised her connections in Mutitjulu (formed through Monte's Indigenous Biamunga program) to establish an annual trip for ANU students to Mutitjulu, and reciprocal trips for Maruku artists

to travel to exhibit and sell their work in Canberra. These projects are ongoing with ANU, and saw Tess receive the 2014 ANU Undergraduate of the Year award.

Tess completed internships at the Aboriginal Legal Service in Canberra and the Top End Women’s Legal Service in Darwin, which highlighted the disadvantaged circumstances for many Aboriginal people, leading to and perpetuating the cycle of mass incarceration.

Tess then worked as the Associate to His Honour, Justice Hiley at the NT Supreme Court, gaining insight into criminal law
and practice in the NT, where the tough realities of the vicious cycle of disadvantage motivated Tess to continue working to help address some of these complex issues.

Tess is now working with Danila Dilba - an Aboriginal health service in Darwin and is focussing on implementing the recommendations set by the Royal Commission regarding the protection and detention of young people in

the NT. Tess loves her life in Darwin, surrounded by many friends, including fellow Monte Alumni, Michaela Vaughan and Ella Tracey (Class of 2010).