Australia Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Year 10 students gathered at Uluru and Kata Tjuta in August as part of the 2011 Indigenous Youth Leadership Program’s National Student Gathering.
DEEWR’s Indigenous Youth Leadership Program has been running since 2006. It aims to create greater access to education opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, particularly those from remote and very remote areas of the country.
The program supports a number of students with scholarships, leadership development and partnerships.
High school students receive support to attend high-performing secondary schools so they can complete Year 12.
Tertiary students are also supported by the program to attend university or equivalent training and complete an undergraduate degree or tertiary level qualification.
The August event saw 130 Year 10 students come together from across the nation. They spent four days in the red centre to develop their knowledge of, and pride in, their own and other’s cultures, to build leadership skills and focus on their future pathway.
Students spent time with the event’s facilitators, including award winning journalist Jeff McMullen—who has worked with Cathy Freeman, Ian Thorpe and many others to support Indigenous students to achieve at school—National Indigenous Television’s Tanya Denning and DEEWR’s Jason Oakley.
Jason said that the annual Indigenous Youth Leadership Program event was great to be a part of, to see how the young people learn and grow in confidence.
‘I’m proud of the work DEEWR does to support young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. But being part of this event, and seeing the great work and achievements of the young people who have taken this opportunity, makes me even prouder,’ Jason said.
Leadership and goal setting workshops were held by William (Benny) Hodges and the young people were inspired by Yankunytjatjara elder and traditional owner of Uluru, Uncle Bob Randall, who shared his wisdom and culture. Students also enjoyed a team-building activity and spent time with role model and AFL football great Michael Long.
Perhaps most importantly, students got to build valuable support networks to guide them through their education and leadership journeys. They also made the most of mentoring opportunities with 10 tertiary-level Indigenous Youth Leadership Program scholars.
The program supports students at other levels and the journey continues for many, with the next event being a Year 12 graduation ceremony in Canberra in November.
For more information, visit the Indigenous Youth Leadership Program website.