Lynore Close was a 25-year-old farm hand, travelling and working in the Adelaide Hills, when she was tapped on the shoulder to consider an IT traineeship.

For the young Queenslander, who attended numerous schools as her family moved around, the idea of an office job and a tertiary education was a very foreign concept.

Today, she has a successful technology career and in 2022 completed her Masters in Information Technology at The University of Queensland

“I just fell into IT,” she said. “I was working on a farm, in the mud, in the rain, and cold and freezing, and my job advisor said I should go for this interview – I didn’t even know what IT was, but I just went along because I love adventure and the air-conditioning sounded good.”

A week later she found herself providing computer support for young people in schools.

Lynore’s career has taken her from first female and indigenous ICT trainee in South Australia, to her latest role as a security analyst with Flight Centre Travel Group.  She was not only the first Indigenous woman but the first female IT employee in the first four companies she worked for.

“My journey has been really independent and quite alone,” Lynore said.

“I didn’t know any women I could talk to and connect with, to say ‘how do you do it’ – even someone to just bounce ideas off.”

She found a supportive network of leaders and entrepreneurs when she was introduced to WiT, in 2021.

“Even if you haven’t entered the workforce yet, it’s good to know there are women you can talk to, see what other women are doing and gain confidence in your career path.”

When asked what could have been easier if she had had more role models, Lynore replied, “everything!”.

She says she feels fortunate to have a fantastic male mentor.

“He was one of the best teachers I’ve had, he taught me everything I know so far and is still teaching me to this day.”

But Lynore wishes she had more female ones along the way.

She believes her cultural background has contributed positively to her career.

“Our capability to be resilient gives us the ability to excel at whatever we choose, but the first step is knowing that there are opportunities and options. I wish more First Nations people knew what opportunities
were out there,” she said.

Lynore’s next goal is to set herself up for management and leadership.

“I would like to hit executive leadership before I’m 40 and have the ability to help women who come after me and make their journeys easier.

I don’t necessarily need to change the world. Even if I can change someone’s day, that’s enough for me.”

Lynore’s interview is one of the inspiring stories featured on the Real Women, Unreal Stories: celebrating 25 years of Women in Technology podcast episode. Listen online on Soundcloud.