Aboriginal and Torees Strait Islander students across the region were inspired by their Indigenous role models when the Koorie Student Aspirations Day was held earlier this month.
High school students attended the two-day event held on Wadawurrung Country at GMHBA Stadium on Monday, April 4 and Tuesday, April 5, organised by the Local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (LAECG) and supported by the Polly Farmer Foundation.
The event provided an opportunity for students to hear from inspirational young Indigenous role models who have achieved success in their chosen field and get them thinking about their post-school career and education pathways and opportunities.
Each day included a Welcome to Country from Wadawurrung Traditional Owner Corrina Eccles, followed by a “speed dating” session where students learned about opportunities available to them following the end of secondary school.
Students heard from representatives from educational institutions such as universities and TAFE, representatives from building and construction organisations, unions, employment agencies and local organisations with Indigenous traineeships and pathways.
Former X-Factor winner and Australian Eurovision representative Isaiah Firebrace, a Yorta Yorta/Gunditjmara man was the guest speaker for the Koorie Aspirations Day and shared his story of growing up in Echuca, his first experience of singing in front of a crowd at school, his failures and how he worked through them before winning the X-Factor at the age of 16.
The afternoon sessions included hip-hop dancing, art and painting, Indigenous games, the AIMe Leadership program and Clothing The Gaps Foundation’s Shades of Deadly campaign.
LAECG co-chair Aunty May Owen said it was wonderful to see the annual event return after two years of COVID postponements.
“We want to make sure our kids know they can do anything, and there are people all around who can help them get to wherever they want to go,” she said.
“One of the best things about these days is seeing all the kids come together and connect with each other, with their culture and to meet new people and know they have support in whatever they want to do now and in the future.”
The Koorie Aspirations Day is designed to instil pride in First Nations youth and to provide them with many options for their future.
