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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this article may contain the names, images and voices of deceased persons.
Verity started out with huge creative drive and extensive fashion knowledge. All she needed were the business skills and marketing know-how to leverage her luxury fashion label, Van Ermel Sherer.
UOW College’s Diploma of Business offered Verity the flexibility and support she needed as a mother, learning face-to-face with teaching and support staff. As an Indigenous Australian, Verity also qualified for the Aunty Linda Cruse scholarship.
Verity encourages all creatives, whether starting from scratch or with years of experience, to equip themselves with industry knowledge.
‘When you learn how the world works and how to communicate in these spaces, doors start to open that you never would have had access to before,’ she says.
A living legacy
Verity is a Larrakia woman and fashion designer who, as a recipient of the Aunty Linda Cruse scholarship, successfully completed a Diploma of Business at UOW College.
‘At first, I didn’t know about the scholarship.’ says Verity.
‘Money was always a barrier. But knowing I could get that support from UOW College made a huge difference.’
Before she was opening Australian Fashion Week and featuring in major Australian magazines, Verity was making dresses at her kitchen table with her sister and friends. Her grandmother, Valerie van Ermel Scherer, was her greatest inspiration and support.
‘Nanny was a fashion icon. She always wore beautiful kaftans and big vintage sunnies. For her, dressing well was a form of manners,’ says Verity.
When her grandmother passed away, Verity promised to carry on her legacy and identity through her label.
Verity already had the creative drive to become an entrepreneur, but she still needed the industry-relevant knowledge that would allow her to market and manage her label efficiently.
‘Being creative is great, but if you don’t have a business background or structure, you’re limited as to where you can go with your goals.’
Networks for success
‘I’m always learning and I still need help. But I think that’s a strength for me. I never assume I know everything. At least I have some backup to get me through the door.’
Returning to education in between motherhood and business management wasn’t without its personal challenges. Verity found supportive connections during her time at UOW College that changed her life beyond the classroom.
Verity’s teachers at UOW College and the Woolyungah Indigenous Centre Elders were committed to helping her reach her goals.
‘During my course I was diagnosed with hyperlexia. Christine [from Woolyungah Indigenous Centre] helped me figure out my learning style and it’s changed so much in my life. It broke down barriers and created flexibility.’
‘[My teacher] James set aside time to help me learn research skills as part of my diploma which I realised could also help me research my family history. From that, I was able to get a grant from UOW to travel to Darwin and learn about my nanny’s life including her connections to Croker Island and Otford Mission.’
The opportunity to receive support from staff and peers was more than an educational enabler for Verity. The skills she learnt throughout her course leveraged her ability to manage her business and connected her with a cultural legacy that had been lost.
Verity was able to transfer skills from her coursework into a personal journey that has strengthened her goals for Van Ermel Scherer.
