Almost 50 Indigenous students from schools across the greater Gold Coast and Northern New South Wales region recently took part in a special cultural day as part of their NRL School to Work activities.
The students from Foxwell State Secondary College, Robina State High School, Southport State High School, St Josephs College Banora Point, Upper Coomera State College, Elanora State High School and Helensvale State High School attended the special day at Guanaba Indigenous Protected Area, situated on the traditional lands of the Kombumerri people.
Facilitated by Ngarang-Wal Gold Coast Aboriginal Association Incorporated, student were able to get hands-on experience with activities such as bushwalking, arts and crafts including painting and beading and spear throwing.
Students were also told about this local history of the land and surrounding areas, with lead facilitator Justine Dillon spinning yarns and showcasing special artefacts.
The NRL School to Work program is an Education and Employment Program that utilises the positive profile of the game of Rugby League to support young Indigenous Australians with work experience, mentoring and leadership opportunities. It works to ensure they successfully complete school and transition into further study, training or meaningful employment.
Also in attendance on the day were members of the Gold Coast Titans NRLW team, with Women’s Indigenous All Stars players Jaime Chapman, Lailani Montgomery and Phoenix-Raine Hippi joined by Queensland Maroons and Fetu Samoa representative Sienna Lofipo.
The talented quartet gave up their time as they were busy preparing for their opening round match against the Roosters for Round 1 of the NRLW, sharing their tips and advice on goal setting and prioritising mental and physical health and wellbeing.
For Bundjalung woman Hippi, the day was a great opportunity for young people to learn more about culture.
“It's fantastic; I was one of the few that was very lucky to grow up immersed in culture, so being around some of these kids where this is their first time coming to these, it's an awesome thing to be a part of,” Hippi said.
“I wish they'd do a lot more for these kids in the cities, specifically around culture.”
A recent addition to the NRL School to Work staff, joining Shelley Keegan in the Gold Coast team, Melekai Williams said it was special to be able to provide opportunities such as this to the young students who took the time to soak in their surroundings being amongst nature.
“Primarily our role is to help the Year 11-12 Indigenous students, to help them with their career pathways and give them opportunities for after school, whether they be jobs, TAFE, uni,” Williams said.
“It is about making sure that they've got a pathway after they leave school … and to make sure that they're being proactive and productive."
A proud Indigenous man hailing from Mossman with ties to the Gugu Yalanji mob and Erub mob, Williams, who also plays rugby league, said the culture days were a major part of the School to Work program.
“Cultural days like this actually ties in really well with our program, specifically because we try to implement a lot of culture into the program for students,” Williams said.
“We work with Indigenous children, so we work to keep them in touch with culture.
“Even though they might not know their own culture, but to know of culture is definitely something special and something that they need to hold closer to them because that is part of their identity.
“It's very important and obviously grateful for an event like this.”
Find out more about the NRL’s School to Work program and the outcomes it is helping achieve for Indigenous students across Australia HERE.
