When the Governor of New South Wales visited Gunnedah recently, Red Chief Local Aboriginal Land Council had plenty on the table to discuss, including work supporting women in their community back into the workforce.

Red Chief LALC is mid-way through delivering their first Yinaar 2 Work program, otherwise known as Gunnedah Women's Workforce Readiness and Empowerment Initiative, building confidence, developing skills with practical tools and empowering local women to know the skills they already have and can bring to jobs.

Tania Matthews told National Indigenous Times there are plenty of initiatives offering the same kind of practical skills and support, but they come with the same level of cultural safety.

Ms Matthews is taking part in the first rollout of Yinaar 2 Work.

"Having these programs up and running and designed to support Aboriginal women in reconnecting with employment, culture and community leadership - it's a great opportunity," she said.

"Women in our culture, we're leaders and matriarchs of our families...our children learn from us (as well)."

It's more than about just setting herself and others up to rejoin the workforce, it's driving culture and community leadership as well, Ms Matthews added.

In any session you'll find "old ways of women getting together...gabbering, yarning, helping each other out... It's really good".

TAFE accredited training, cultural site management, Gamilaroi language courses, Aboriginal tourism and mentoring causes, hospitality - including bush tucker components, have all been part of the program.

Four local upcoming rangers jobs have been set aside for Aboriginal women, Ms Matthews added.

Red Chief's aim, over the 12-week program, to see all taking part gain employment, with the land council already reaching out to local organisations for work placement opportunities, and getting participants ready to apply for jobs out there, chief executive Troy Ruttley told National Indigenous Times.

Flexible models of engagement are offered, including face-to-face as well as online options for women further out of town, with the Land Council committed to maintain their contact to continue a level of support at the conclusion of programs.

Yinaar 2 Work is already proving successful, with business plans and tourism opportunities, with Red Chief also set to benefit, coming together, Mr Ruttley said.

Just one aspect is practical tools for putting CVs and resumes together.

One "great thing" is the mix of ages across the women taking part, Ms Matthews said, with those more tech-savvy lending their help where they can.

"The younger ones are updated with all the new ways of doing stuff, because they've been through it, and so they're there to support us older ones. And us older ones are there to support them in a lot of stuff as well," she said.

Yinaar 2 Work is "a celebration of Gamilaroi women's resilience and wisdom and leadership", Ms Matthews said, "by investing in our women, we're investing in the cultural and economic future of our community".

Showcasing the program was part of discussion between Red Chief and Governor of NSW Margaret Beazley's recent visit to Gunnedah.

The Governor was also briefed on other initiatives and work the Land Council is doing in their community.

"There was a holistic conversation where (the Governor) let community lead it, and she was responsive to what community shared, and she was respectful," Mr Ruttley said.

Coming out of a period of administration in recent years, Mr Ruttley took over as chief executive of the Land Council in October 2023.

In the previous two years their presence and work in the community has taken real positive steps forward, he said, being able to further foster cultural connection, and see success in community welbeing overall, including economic aspects.

The Yinaar 2 Work program is just an example.

The program is supported with $186,000 in grant funding from the NSW Government via their Return to Work Pathways Program, successfully applied for by Red Chief LALC in 2023.