Parramatta NRLW star Taneka Todhunter had a chat with the Dubbo Photo News about life in the rugby league big-time, NAIDOC Week and growing up in Dubbo.

She regularly thinks of home in Dubbo and her ancestral ties across western NSW, and her connection to country and culture is why NAIDOC Week means so much to the 23-year-old hooker.

Born and raised in Dubbo, and a proud young Aboriginal woman, Todhunter has family ties to the city and both Nyngan and Mungindi, being of Wiradjuri and Gamilaraay ancestry.

She attended primary school at Orana Heights Public School before going to South Campus and Delroy campus for high school, then finished secondary school at Dubbo College Senior Campus.

Todhunter’s mother Tammy’s family is from Mungindi, and her father Shawn’s family originates from Nyngan. According to NRL.com, her parents separated when Todhunter was young, but she proudly says both have played an active role in her life. Her large extended family includes multiple siblings, cousins, aunties and uncles.

Todhunter fondly recalls trips to Mungindi, where she would swim in the Barwon River and hang out with cousins and also see aunties. Likewise, with Nyngan and the Bogan River.

“Just running around, being kids, it was great,” she said. “Living around from my cousins, I loved growing up."

NAIDOC Week was celebrated in July, with the theme of ‘The Next Generation, Strength, Vision and Legacy’. Asked what the 2025 theme meant to her, Todhunter said: “Unity, coming together and rallying around mob to amplify voices and to help create change that we want to see for our next generation, and even now.

“It’s also a time where we can celebrate the history of our culture and the achievements of our people. We can also highlight the oldest living continuous culture in the world.”

The 18-gamer with Parramatta (as at Sunday, August 3) has also represented the NRLW Indigenous All Stars for two consecutive years.

“It means everything to me,” she said of playing for the Indigenous All Stars. "I still get chills, just thinking about my debut. I remember when I used to watch them live and think, 'Wow – this is what I’d love to do.'

“The dances... and everything the week highlights... debuting and actually being in the team.

“To represent my culture, my people but also my home Dubbo, people talking about Dubbo. It means a lot. Best week of the year.”

Asked what messages she has for other aspiring First Nations female athletes, Todhunter said: “Just determination, and resilience.

"No matter where you come from, what you’ve been through, you can make it. You just have to have determination and resilience.

“Not only just footy, (it can be) something else in life, leaving a small town, or breaking generational cycles, which I have done as well.

“Just having that resilience, and knowing that we are supported, and we are heard. You can do anything you can put your mind to.”

Todhunter is not only talented on the field, she is determined, courageous, and has also won a Vocational Player of the Year award within the NRLW. She attacked her studies and construction work at Barangaroo with passion to win the vocational award, earning tickets for excavators, skid steers and bobcats along the way.

She has worked in civil construction as a labourer with Ward and studied a Certificate III in Civil Construction.

“Rugby league’s not forever... even though we wish it was, it’s not,” she said. “It has meant a lot to me to be recognised outside of football.”