Mentoring program helps young people thrive on Bundjalung Country
Young people at Malabugilmah on West Bundjalung Country are benefiting from greater cultural connection and engagement with school, thanks to support from a new Aboriginal-led mentoring program.
Jana Ngalee Local Aboriginal Land Council is working with the Goanna Academy (an organisation supporting mental health and founded by rugby league star Greg Inglis) together with local Aboriginal organisations to encourage Aboriginal teenagers to remain engaged in school.
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Mahalia Hippi, Senior Youth Project Officer said, “We have been completing distance education with the teenagers two days a week and supporting them with their schoolwork. Greg Inglis has come out to Community twice to share yarns and talk about mental health with the kids.”
Una Walker Junior Youth Project officer said, “We have seen the kids come out of their shell. They have more confidence to speak up. Their families have also told us that they are better at home, not so moody.”
Staff members from Bulgarr Ngaru Medical Aboriginal Corporation also support the initiative by running weekly activities including arts and sports programs.
“We took the kids to a high ropes course last school holidays as a reward for completing their schoolwork,” said Una.
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“We have also been working with Agency in Design who have been running digital design workshops with our young people and they are developing their own logo and turning their art into merchandise that they plan to sell,” said Mahalia.
The program has been funded through an Aboriginal Affairs NSW Community and Place Grant. These grants specifically support Aboriginal led programs to Close the Gap – including in areas such as education, literacy and health.
More information about Aboriginal Affairs NSW grants