We celebrated student graduations across the country in December. These photos are a glimpse of how meaningful these moments are for our students, their families and communities.
In Mount Druitt, the Djirabitty Dance Company perform a traditional smoking ceremony to start things off.
Mount Druitt’s Yulara Frail, Campaign Project Officer in training, leading by example.
Mark Pittman keeping rhythm for the dancers in Mount Druitt.
In Orange, Coordinator Kyle Lewis speaks to the crowd.
Mossman student Ziek Tent did the artwork for the student shirts. The class asked him to draw a Cassowary as it represents the Rainforest people. Photo: Leanne Hardy
Mary Parker was the eldest student in the classroom in Orange. She did it to show her grandkids that if she can do it, they can too.
Mount Druitt student Sam King with Trudie Timmins and Sara Fonokalafi from MacKillop Family Services (on his left) and The Foundation’s Yulara Frail (right).
A few of the completing students on Graduation Day in Mossman. Photo: Leanne Hardy
Students in Mount Druitt. Back Row (left to right): Raymond Ferguson, Trevor Leonard, Samuel King, Nicholas Anderson, Jamie Wallace, Cedric Boney, Paul French, Lester Ritchie. Front Row (left to right): Maree Latu, Janey Bolt, Hannah Boney, Bronwyn Donovan, Alicia Hickey.
Mount Druitt Coordinator Sara Matthews (left), Advocacy Officer Alera Foster (centre) and Campaign Project Officer in training, Yulara Frail (right).
Students on Graduation Day in Orange. Back Row: Sally Edwards, Leila Sullivan, Sherry Lucas, Kiarna Ah-see Bell, Jake Payne, Shane Mckellar, Malakai Frail, Gabrielle Von Einem, Jaquline Campbell, Ali Pate – Veikso. Front Row: Carmen Nixon, Jennifer Grey, Daphne Monaghan, Mary Parker, Robin Smith, Gail Edwards.
In Yarrabah, Ashleigh brought her daughters along to see their grandfather Colin graduate. Ashleigh and her partner Lex were honoured as graduates earlier in the year, so baby Zelma has already been to two graduation ceremonies! Photo: Leanne Hardy
Student Colin Costello and Coordinator Nadine Cannon share a moment. Colin’s grandkids (in the photo above) were there to cheer him on. Nadine has been part of the Yarrabah team from day one and will retire at the end of this year. Thanks for everything Nadine. Photo: Leanne Hardy
Young dancers from the Dabul Dance Group kick things off in Yarrabah. Photo: Leanne Hardy
In Mount Druitt, Narelle Twist leads the Djirabitty Dance Group.
Local Mount Druitt staff, Yulara Frail (seated) and Mark Pittman (standing) watch on with pride as students receive their certificates.
Local Mossman group, the Yalanji Dancers putting on a great performance. Photo: Leanne Hardy
Student Bernadette Ross-Kelly receives her certificate from Facilitator, Kapreece, in Mossman. Photo: Leanne Hardy
All smiles as Daphne Monaghan (centre) receives her certificate from Campaign Project Officer, Lillian Lucas (left) and Jack Beetson.
Students celebrate in Yarrabah. Photo: Leanne Hardy
Celebrations in Coonamble. Since the first intake in 2023, the Coonamble community has worked hard to build a locally-led literacy success story.
Literacy for Life Foundation is an Aboriginal organisation that coordinates community-led adult literacy training. The Foundation’s results are at least 30 times better than comparable programs. We rely on donations from the community as well as funding from governments. The Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) First Nations Program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.