Celebrating 15 Years of Yalari

Celebrating 15 wonderful years of Yalari Creating change, together.

2005

The first three boarding students start at Toowoomba Grammar School and The Glennie School. 25 new students receive Yalari scholarships.

Yalari's inaugural fundraising dinner in Sydney raises in excess of $300,000.

2007

Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation becomes Yalari's first major partner.

2009

Yalari celebrates its 5th birthday!

The Federal Government awards the administration of part of its Indigenous Youth Leadership Program to Yalari, adding 66 transitioning students and a further nine schools to our program.

Powderfinger, one of Australia’s most successful rock bands, supports Yalari throughout their ‘Sunsets’ farewell tour of Australia in late 2010.

17 Yalari students graduate Year 12.

Yalari was established on 13 April 2005 by Waverley Stanley, his wife Llew Mullins and a group of like-minded and generous supporters.

Yalari was assisted with start-up funding and support from AVCAL (Australian Venture Capital Association Limited) and DEEWR (Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations).

2006

13 new scholarship recipients start at six different boarding schools around Australia.

The inaugural Yalari Orientation Camp was held at Tallebudgera on the Gold Coast.

PBI (Public Benevolent Institution) endorsement by the Australian Tax Office.

2008

Yalari offers a further 34 students scholarships through its partner schools.

Waverley Stanley is named Ernst & Young’s Social Entrepreneur of the Year (Nth Region).

The first Year 9 Central Australia Camps were held.

2010

Yalari raises in excess of $1 million through partnerships, private and corporate donations. Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, accepts the patronage of Yalari and attends the annual Brisbane Fundraising Dinner.

Fifteen years ago, on 13 April 2005, we opened Yalari's doors with a mission to educate and empower Indigenous children from regional, rural and remote communities. Starting with just three boarding school scholarship recipients in 2006, we now have over 210 Indigenous students being educated at 20 boarding schools all across Australia. There are also over 350 Yalari alumni forging their way as tertiary students, parents, entrepreneurs, employees and confident, educated Indigenous leaders of tomorrow.

The generosity and belief of many people made this happen. We are truly honoured to have such a remarkable group of donors, sponsors, schools, staff, volunteers and supporters, all working together to create positive and lasting impacts to the lives of Indigenous children, their families and their communities.

Yalari's head office is devastated by fire. The Gold Coast Titans NRL Club generously donate office space and the Yalari community rallies to get us back on our feet.

2011 2013

The Yalari office is relocated to Siganto Drive, Helensvale.

Waverley travels to South Africa for his Churchill Fellowship.

2015

Inaugural Yalari Captaincies.

Inaugural Yalari National Volunteer Awards.

21 students graduate Year 12.

Waverley Stanley is recognised in the Australia Day Honours List 2019 and was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for "significant service to the Indigenous community thorough support of education."

2017

Yalari has 184 scholars and over 300 alumni.

33 students graduate Year 12.

2019

2012

25 students graduate Year 12

Inaugural Commemorative Walk to Cherbourg.

2014

Yalari celebrates its 10th Birthday! Yalari has 173 scholars and 137 graduates.

28 partner schools across Australia and 28 students graduate Year 12.

2016

Yalari is featured on ABC's Australian Story.

46 new scholars start their Yalari journey.

2018 2020

Yalari celebrates its 15th Birthday! with over 200 scholars and nearly 400 alumni.

Y E A R S

E d u c ati n g I n d ig e n o us C h ild re n

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Dreaming, believing inspiring and achieving