Yalari Annual Review 2020

Y E A R S

Educating Indigenous Children

®

Dreaming, believing inspiring and achieving

Annual Review 2020

Celebrating 15 Years of Yalari

"

I am grateful for being on a Yalari scholarship at Clayfield College. I look forward to the rest of the school year and continuing to learn as much as I can.

Thank you for believing in me.

Thank you.

Rusanti Misick is a student at Clayfield College. Her Yalari journey is made possible by the generosity of Anglo American.

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Yalari Annual Review 2020

Acknowledgement of Country Yalari acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of this land. We recognise the culture, history, diversity and deep connection to land, waters and territorial seas of Australia.

We pay our respects to the Elders, past and present, and acknowledge the Yalari office is on Kombumerri country within the lands of the Yugambeh language group of the wider area. We also acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands on which we work Australia-wide, and recognise their culture, heritage and beliefs.

Cover Image: Willy Kris - Year 9 Yalari student at St Ignatius' College, Riverview.

Willy's Yalari journey is made possible by the generosity of the National Indigenous Australians Agency.

Artwork images contained in this document are pieces from the 2020 Yalari student art competition.

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Celebrating 15 Years of Yalari

Annual Review Contents

Why You Matter

07

Dear Friends

08

Yalari is Born

10

Education: The Key to Generational Change

10

Lizzie Mahon: Yalari Alumna

11

2020 Snapshot

12

Cheree Whymann: Yalari Student

14

Celebrating 15 Years of Yalari

16

Yalari Board

18

Partner Schools

22

The Need for Change

23

Student Support & Development

24

Braydon Mundy: Yalari Student

26

Pathways Program

28

Alumni

30

Jaycee Sellings: Yalari Student

32

Lauren Wescott: Yalari Parent

32

Koby Sellings: Yalari Alumnus

33

Thanks for Being Part of the Yalari Family

35

Brooke Massender: Yalari Supporter

36

Volunteering

38

Our Valued Partners & Sponsors

40

Community Support

46

Financial Report

48

Thank You

50

'Caught Between Two Worlds': Kiara Sutton

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Yalari Annual Review 2020

"

I am thankful that you and Yalari have given me this opportunity. I will make you proud.

006

Thank you.

Stephen Bush Blanasi is a student at John Paul College. His Yalari journey is made possible by the Earle Foundation.

Celebrating 15 Years of Yalari

Why you matter Indigenous children in Australia do not achieve the same educational and employment opportunities as their non-Indigenous peers. This is especially true for those living in regional, rural and remote areas.

We’re on a mission to change that.

With an army of dedicated and passionate supporters by our side, together we are bringing about generational change through the education and empowerment of Indigenous children.

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Yalari Annual Review 2020

Dear Friends

Words from our Founding Director

2020 WILL BE ONE OF THOSE YEARS THAT RESHAPED WHO WE ARE, WHAT WE DO, AND HOW WE FEEL ABOUT BOTH. WHETHER WE REALISE IT NOW OR NOT, IT HAS CHANGED THE COURSE OF OUR FUTURE. What we do know for sure, is that children are resilient and our Yalari students adapted to learning online (and at home) in a way that made us proud. Families were flexible with the dining room table doubling as a study desk. Zoom and Teams calls were common language and helped connect us all. Teachers used innovative ways to engage students. Our sponsors and donors dug deeper into their pockets than ever before. Our Student Support Team recreated and improved the support program for our students and families. People paused and checked on one another; and the Yalari community stayed connected and strong, with many achievements and stories that we’re looking forward to sharing with you in this Annual Review.

I’m grateful for the support of our community, staff, volunteers, schools, families, students and alumni. In many ways, 2020 brought out the best in us.

Waverley Stanley AM Founding Director IMAGE TOP LEFT: WAVERLEY STANLEY AM, CHANTAY TURNER (ST MARGARET'S ANGLIGAN GIRLS SCHOOL) AND LLEW MULLINS IMAGE TOP RIGHT: WAVERLEY STANLEY AM AND JERMAINE HARRISON (TOOWOOMBA GRAMMAR SCHOOL) IMAGE RIGHT: MRS ROSEMARY BISHOP WITH YALARI STUDENTS AT THE 2015 YALARI BRISBANE DINNER

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Celebrating 15 Years of Yalari

Yalari is Born

Rosemary Grier was a young primary school teacher at Cloyna State School when she caught the eye of a local farmer, Ron Bishop. Ron tells the story of how he used to herd his few head of cattle past Rosemary's classroom window, and then circle around again with the same cattle, hoping to impress her with the illusion that he had more cattle than he actually did.

On the first of January 1955, Ron and Rosemary married and soon had their own family of three daughters and a son. While the children were still young, Rosemary returned to teaching at Murgon State School, 'just for a little while to help out while things were tough on the land'. Thirty-three years later she retired from teaching, having lead a full and active career as a primary school teacher.

In 1979, while organising for her son to enrol as a boarder at Toowoomba Grammar School the following year, she also mentioned to the Headmaster at the time, Mr Dent, that she had a 'terrific young Indigenous boy' in her Year 7 class who was also the School Captain. 'Waverley was a good boy and deserved the chance to succeed,' Rosemary recalls. It was due to Rosemary’s belief in Waverley that he was subsequently offered a boarding school scholarship.

Many years later, in 2005, well into her retirement living on Tamborine Mountain, Rosemary was lamenting with her

"

What a blessing Yalari has been to so many people — the children themselves, the parental and family support and so many generous people who give their strength to our cause. - Mrs Rosemary Bishop daughter (also a teacher) wondering if she had really made a difference as a teacher.

A week later, Waverley rang ‘Mrs Bishop’ (as he calls her to this day). He had stayed in contact with Rosemary and her family over the years. As a confident yet humble 37 year-old man, he told his former teacher that he had established a charity offering scholarships for Indigenous children to attend boarding schools throughout Australia.

To acknowledge the scholarship she had set up for him as a 12 year-old boy, he was asking her permission to name it in her honour. Uncharacteristically lost for words and overcome with emotion, Rosemary hesitated and tried to compose herself before answering. It was at this moment, she realised that she really had made a difference to her students' lives.

Waverley’s life was forever shaped by the quality education he received. And like Rosemary Bishop, Yalari’s generous sponsors have opened a door to opportunity for more than 500 Indigenous children over the past fifteen years. Our supporters are changing lives, just like Rosemary changed the life of her young student all those years ago. Rosemary’s legacy continues through those of us who are supporting generational change for Indigenous people and a better future for all Australians.

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Yalari Annual Review 2020

Education: the key to generational change Yalari is a national not-for-profit organisation, educating and empowering Indigenous children from regional, rural and remote communities across Australia.

High quality, secondary education scholarships are offered to applicants to attend leading boarding schools throughout the country. Students are further empowered by

Yalari's

comprehensive

student

support

and

development program, a post-school pathways program and an alumni program.

At Yalari, we believe education is the key to generational change and a brighter future for Indigenous Australians, and for our nation as a whole.

This vision for generational change will be achieved when the next generation has greater educational, social and political opportunities than the ones before. It will be achieved when children have better health, financial and career outcomes than their parents. Generational change will be achieved when each successive generation is closer

Thank you.

Shauna Dhagapan is a student at John Paul College. Her Yalari journey is made possible by the generosity of the National Indigenous Australians Agency.

to achieving equality, with greater self-perception than the last.

Most of all, generational change will be achieved when all Australians have a better perspective and understanding of others, and each person has the freedom to explore their potential, unencumbered by the prejudices of the past.

With the support of generous and like-minded individuals, companies and organisations, together, we are enacting positive future change.

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MISSION, VISION & VALUES Yalari exists to provide trusted, quality educational opportunities for Indigenous children to achieve positive outcomes for themselves and their families, and make a valuable contribution as Australians.

Our goal is to educate and empower Indigenous children from regional, rural and remote communities to bring about generational change.

Values of compassion, openness, respect, resilience, inclusiveness and excellence underpin our approach.

Celebrating 15 Years of Yalari

LIZZIE MAHON Yalari Alumna "The scholarship wasn't just a way of getting through secondary schooling in a prestigious school.

Yalari became an extended family — a support system you could rely on."

I am from the Meriam Mir mob from Erub in the Torres Straits.

However, I grew up in Charleville in South West Queensland.

I went to the Glennie School in Toowoomba, and graduated in 2013.

I didn't think I ever wanted to go to university, so after graduation I completed an on-the-job traineeship at the University of Southern Queensland with a Certificate III in Business. I then moved back to Charleville where I developed a keen interest in health. I completed a Certificate IV in ATSI Primary Health Care Practice, where I was engaged as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner for a year before enrolling into the University of Southern Queensland to complete a Bachelor of Nursing. I am now working as a Registered Nurse, ATSI Health Practitioner and Clinical Supervisor at an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation in Toowoomba, Queensland. I am preparing to enrol for medicine, with ambitions of becoming a General Practitioner in the future.

Being the recipient of a Yalari scholarship changed my life significantly. I was provided with a great education, the opportunity to excel in sports and create life-long contacts.

The scholarship wasn't just a way of getting through secondary schooling in a prestigious school. Yalari became an extended family — a support system you could rely on.

Yalari practices family and culture just as much as education,

through school. Speaking from personal experience, I lost my way for some time and couldn't find any path. However, the staff and friends from Yalari continued to see my future potential, providing me with the additional guidance and support I needed.

To give back, I like to volunteer in various ways with Yalari; to help out an extraordinary organisation that gave me so much. Yalari incorporates the CORRIE values (compassion, openness, respect, resilience, inclusiveness, excellence) and instils this into all of their practices, embedding this into the future generations of Indigenous leaders. Yalari looks at the big picture while still supporting the needs of the present. It is so much more than just a scholarship organisation.

Thank you.

Lizzie Mahon's Yalari journey was made possible by the generosity of the Queensland Playground Association.

which is the most empowering way to get an Indigenous child 0011

Yalari Annual Review 2020

2020 Snapshot Despite the many challenges of 2020, your belief and generosity made it possible for over 500 Indigenous children and young people to learn, dream, achieve and succeed through education and postschool opportunities.

210 Indigenous Students were attending boarding schools on Yalari scholarships nationally

370+

Yalari Alumni

92.81%

achieved in 2020 across all student year levels

5

Student Support and Development Camps

were studying at universities, working, undertaking further training and/or raising families

were held across four states and territories

20 Partner Schools

200+ Volunteers

engaged with Yalari for the common goal of educating and empowering Indigenous children through education

generously donated their time via student tutoring, Yalari events, governance and administrative roles

30 Staff

1 Alumni Leadership Camp

are committed and passionate about creating opportunities for young Indigenous people

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Student Retention Rate

was hosted in Queensland

Celebrating 15 Years of Yalari

"

Thank you very much for supporting me to attend St Ignatius’ College, as I know kids like me don’t always get opportunities like this to get a better education.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Tristan Donnelly is a student at St Ignatius' College, Riverview. His Yalari journey is made possible by the generosity of the Old Ignatians (Andrew Rennie, Shane Doyle, Luke Sullivan, Tony Jackson and Simon Calleia).

Apart but together!

The plans for 2020 were ambitious. This, our 15th year of changing lives with our kind-hearted sponsors, was a significant milestone. However, the best laid plans…

Gradually, then suddenly, it seemed that the world was turned upside down. Lock-downs, quarantines and border closures were a logistical nightmare for many organisations, not just Yalari. Getting students home was just one of the obstacles, particularly for those travelling interstate. Once there, home schooling presented its own challenges, with inconsistent internet coverage for some of our rural and remote students.

Giving Day, ensured that even a global pandemic would not stop our passionate supporters.

Here at Yalari we are incredibly grateful to so many who ensured that 2020 was not simply a time to survive, but a time to thrive. Thanks to our sponsors, our partner schools, Yalari parents and finally our students, who displayed a remarkable resilience throughout the entire year.

2020 may not have been the year we anticipated, but Yalari’s 15th anniversary was undoubtedly a year to remember!

Despite these trying times, 2020 was a year that allowed many of us the space to recognise our good fortune.

Once again, our sponsors displayed a generosity of spirit that is unsurpassed. While we were unable to hold our fundraising dinners, other initiatives such as the

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Yalari Annual Review 2020

CHEREE WHYMANN Yalari Student I am a proud young Paakintji woman from Broken Hill in New South Wales. I was presented with a Yalari scholarship to attend Scotch College in Adelaide where I have studied for the past five years. I come from a big family of six kids with me being right in the middle.

Hope is such a strong word that is particularly relevant in my life.

Coming from a small country town, I always hoped that I could be more than just another face down the street, more than a black kid, more than just a statistic. Hope is a necessary ingredient when achieving goals or just getting through the day.

Being a typical kid who wants to be known by all, I was certain that I would be the first ever black female Prime Minister. I would walk around my primary school with my head held high thinking to myself, 'these kids don’t know it yet, but they are going to school with someone who is gonna be famous!'

In order to follow these dreams, mum quickly realised I had to get out of town for schooling so I could make the most of my education and

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Celebrating 15 Years of Yalari

"I always hoped that I could be more than just another face down the street — more than a black kid — more than just a statistic."

opportunities. While my aunty was at home for a weekend, I mentioned that I wanted to go away for high school so she found out about boarding school scholarships with an organisation called Yalari.

I clearly remember the next day, telling my mates I was applying for a scholarship to another school. I thought to myself, 'My whole life is about to change. Look out Canberra, here I come.' I was 12 years old.

Over the next couple of weeks, I had forgotten about my scholarship application and moved on thinking about other important things in my life, like: 'Which juice box would I take to school today? Apple or raspberry?'

Every now and then mum would tell me that I was short-listed (but I had no idea what that meant). However, when the home interview came around, that’s when I knew it was starting to be real. The day before, we spotlessly cleaned the lounge room, kitchen and dining room as they were the only rooms that were going to be seen (and cleaning a house that belongs to a single mother of 6 kids is not an easy job, trust me).

After the home interview, I was notified that I was going to Scotch College to meet the Principal and have an orientation. Upon arrival to the school, I recall my first excited thought — there was green grass everywhere! Later that day, when I left the school, I specifically remember a feeling of being accepted.

After I graduate in 2021, I am hoping to go to university in Adelaide, and study to become a teacher. Through personal experience, I have realised that a single teacher can have a positive impact on an individual’s journey within a school. I hope to be one of these teachers, inspiring my students to achieve their potential.

I believe all the Yalari students, past and present, are living proof of this.

People's belief in Yalari has provided Llew and Waverley with the opportunity to give hope—to not only me—but hundreds of other Indigenous children.

Hope can be defined as a feeling of expectation and desire for a particular thing to happen. Waverley and Llew hoped the scholarship would provide young Indigenous children with the

inspiration to dream big. They are creating generational change that will shape our future to be the best it could possibly be.

Martin Luther King once said, “Everything that is done in this world, is done by hope.”

It is this hope that unites and inspires us to create positive change for Indigenous people, and for our nation as a whole.

Thank you.

Cheree's Yalari journey is made possible by the generous support of Lipman Karas.

IMAGE TOP LEFT: CHEREE WHYMANN AND FAMILY IMAGE TOP MIDDLE: YALARI OUTBACK CAMP 2018 - LLEW MULLINS, CHEREE WHYMANN AND WAVERLEY STANLEY IMAGE TOP RIGHT: SCOTCH ADELAIDE STUDENTS - DELANEY DAGG (LEFT), CHEREE WHYMANN AND SHAHLEENA MARTIN

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Yalari Annual Review 2020

Celebrating

15 wonderful years of Yalari Creating change, together.

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.

The first three boarding students start at Toowoomba Grammar School and The Glennie School.

2005

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

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).

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2006

25 new students receive Yalari scholarships.

2007

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

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.

Yalari raises in excess of $1 million through partnerships, private and corporate donations.

2008

2009

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 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.

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.

2010

Celebrating 15 Years of Yalari

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

2012 Inaugural Commemorative Walk to Cherbourg.

2013

25 students graduate Year 12

Inaugural Yalari Captaincies.

The Yalari office is relocated to Siganto Drive, Helensvale.

Waverley travels to South Africa for his Churchill Fellowship.

2014

2015

Inaugural Yalari National Volunteer Awards.

21 students graduate Year 12.

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

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

2016

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.

2019

33 students graduate Year 12.

Yalari is featured on ABC's Australian Story.

2018

46 new scholars start their Yalari journey.

2020 Yalari celebrates its 15th Birthday! with over 200 scholars and nearly 400 alumni.

Y E A R S

Educating Indigenous Children

®

Dreaming, believing inspiring and achieving

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Yalari Annual Review 2020

Yalari Board Yalari board members are a diverse group of professionals from various business sectors who share the passion of creating opportunities for Indigenous young people.

Karen Spiller OAM Director

Waverley Stanley AM

Eddie Watkin

Founding Director

Director

As a Founding Director of Yalari, Waverley knows about the power of education and has worked tirelessly over the past 15 years to turn his dream of Yalari into a reality.

Born and raised in Cairns, Eddie’s rich Indigenous Australian cultural heritage comes from Erub and Mabuiag Islands of the Torres Strait. Eddie is one of Australia’s leading facilitators and highly respected leadership educators.

He is a leadership entrepreneur, coach, mentor, strategist, presenter, author and speaker, and a lifelong learner of leadership.

Waverley worked extensively throughout Queensland as an Indigenous Support Officer for Education Queensland. More recently, he has presented and facilitated leadership and education workshops and conferences for Indigenous people throughout Australia.

Waverley is a graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program for 2005-2006 and also a recipient of the prestigious Churchill Fellowship in 2013. In 2019, Waverley was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his ‘significant service to the Indigenous community through support for education’.

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Eddie’s passion is to build, strengthen and advance better leadership connections between everyday people. He has had the privilege of coming alongside youth to inspire them to achieve their leadership best.

He has coached executives and senior executives in business leadership. He has mentored people who want to make a difference in their personal lives, and he has had the honour of facilitating events for people who want to transform nations. He continues to positively inspire, instruct and influence the lives of all generations in living their best leadership life.

Karen has had teaching and leadership experience in schools for over 30 years.

She is the Principal at John Paul College and the former Principal at St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School, a role she held for 18 years.

Karen is a Past National Chair of the Association of Heads in Independent Schools Australia and is currently President of Independent Schools Queensland and a member of the Independent Schools Council of Australia Board. She is a previous national chair of the Alliance of Girls’ Schools, Australasia and board member of the Australian Boarding Schools Association. Karen is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management, the Australian Institute of Company Directors, the Australian Human Resources Institute, the Australian Council for Educational Leaders and the Australian College of Educators. Karen is also a member of the Queensland Government’s International Education and Training Advisory Group.

In 2017, Karen was awarded a Medal of Order of Australia Queen’s Birthday Honour for her service to women, and to education. In 2019 she received the prestigious national Nganakarrawa award presented by ACEL for Excellence in Educational Administration.

Celebrating 15 Years of Yalari

Bruce Davidson Chairman Bruce holds degrees in Law and Commerce from the University of Queensland and was formerly a partner in a leading commercial law firm. He specialised in international business and conducted business development activities throughout Asia.

Bruce has spent the last 20 years with Davidson Recruitment and in his current role as the Davidson Group CEO, he leads a talented team across Australia and New Zealand, dedicated to enhancing workplace performance for clients. He has also been invited to consult to boards and senior executives, to act as a mentor, and speak on both formal and informal occasions. Bruce has previously held the role of Regional Councillor for Finsia.

"Thank you to our wonderful network of Yalari supporters — 15 years and going strong! We could not have done it without you." - Bruce Davidson

Chris Balolovski

John Campbell

Llew Mullins

Director

Director

Managing Director

With over 26 years of experience, Chris uses his skills to develop strategies for clients with complex legal, tax and commercial needs. Chris focuses on providing his clients with the competitive advantage they need to succeed in local and international business.

John has a wealth of investment management experience, having spent more than 24 years in a variety of roles within the industry.

Llew’s working life has taken her from her home town of Sydney, to Alice Springs and up to the Gold Coast hinterland.

John is Head of Australian Small Caps at Jefferies (Australia) and formerly founder of Avoca Investment Management. Prior to founding Avoca, John spent six years at UBS where he was Managing Director / Portfolio Manager of the UBS Australian Small Companies Fund, which was awarded the Australian Fund Managers’ Best Small Cap Fund Manager of the Year in 2009. John joined UBS in 2004 from Credit Suisse First Boston where he was a Director of Equity Research Sales.

A musician, writer, painter, business manager and owner with the heart of a humanitarian, Llew’s experience and qualifications in business, financial management and organisation, mentoring, and many years working in the social welfare and counselling areas, saw her well positioned to assist Waverley when he shared his idea of Yalari with her in 2004.

As a Partner for Business Services at BDO Sydney, Chris specialises in the High Net Worth Individual (HNWI) and Superannuation advisory market.

In addition, Chris is a part of BDO’s China Advisory team, and can provide extensive multi-cultural knowledge of both the Australian and Chinese markets.

He has worked in a broad range of roles within the industry including equity analysis, trading and sales at various financial institutions including Maple-Brown Abbott, Bankers Trust Australia and JP Morgan Private.

Fifteen years later, and now the Managing Director of Yalari, Llew draws on a wealth of knowledge and vast life experiences to manage the operations of a medium sized not-for-profit company — a position she is honoured and proud to hold.

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Yalari Annual Review 2020

Partner Schools Strong, productive and supportive relationships with our partner schools deliver the best results for our students.

Northern Territory

Queensland Western Australia

Churchie - Anglican Church Grammar School, Brisbane Clayfield College John Paul College, Brisbane Scots PGC Warwick St Hilda’s School, Gold Coast St Margaret’s Anglican Girls' School, Brisbane The Glennie School, Toowoomba The Southport School, Gold Coast Toowoomba Grammar School

South Australia

New South Wales

Methodist Ladies College, Perth

Great Southern Grammar School, Albany

Kinross Wolaroi School

Scotch College, Adelaide St Peter’s College, Adelaide

Victoria

Abbotsleigh, Sydney Kambala, Sydney Shore - Sydney Church of England Grammar School St Ignatius’ College Riverview, Sydney

Geelong Grammar School St Catherine’s School, Melbourne Tasmania

Yalari’s selection process for partner schools is aimed at ensuring our scholars are placed in the care of dedicated education professionals, where they will not only learn but will be supported and thrive.

Each of our current partner schools across Australia has been chosen because of their alignment with Yalari’s vision, values and philosophy and with the knowledge that a supportive environment is provided for our students. We also ensure the school is caring and culturally sensitive towards students and their families.

The support from the broader school communities, including parents and other students, helps us welcome our students into school life and is a valued addition to our relationship with every school.

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20

partner schools nationally

Celebrating 15 Years of Yalari

IMAGE: YALARI ST MARGARET'S ANGLICAN GIRLS' SCHOOL STUDENTS AND ALUMNI, WITH SCHOOL STAFF AND PRINCIPAL ROS CURTIS (FAR RIGHT)

St Margaret's Anglican Girls' School "St Margaret's partnership with Yalari is a strong one. The cultural understanding of all our students and community is very much enriched by our partnership with Yalari.

To earn a Yalari scholarship is life-changing and St Margaret's is very proud to be part of each student's educational journey."

- Ros Curtis | Principal

SCOTS PGC College, Warwick

Churchie

"Our Yalari boys and girls add significantly to our school's

"Churchie is very pleased to partner with Yalari. Our

vibrant tapestry. They bring infectious smiles, unfettered

Yalari scholars are integral to the life of both the boarding

curiosity, a sense of joy and wonder, and experiences that

programme and the wider school community. They

are needed to be understood and shared with all students.

have embraced academic, sport, arts, music and service

They also bring ability across many areas. This is truly at the

opportunities with relish.

heart of education and at the heart of what Yalari does — it provides immense opportunities for the students they are in partnership with, as well as enhancing the educational experience of all of the students at SCOTS PGC through becoming part of our school's community."

- Mr Kyle Tompson, Principal

Yalari scholars have enthusiastically lived every aspect and opportunity within Churchie's programmes and will, no doubt, go on to become leaders in both their own and wider Australian communities."

- Dr Alan Campbell | Headmaster

John Paul College

Methodist Ladies' College, Claremont

"John Paul College is proud to partner with Yalari. Together,

"We are honoured to partner with Yalari to provide

we are educating and empowering Indigenous children

educational opportunities for young Indigenous women.

from as far as Thursday Island and as wide as the Northern Territory.

Our long-term relationship is a joy; the presence and participation of our Yalari scholars in college life enriches

It is wonderful to witness how these students are using this

our community, just as the quality education that we

opportunity to embrace life at JPC and to change their lives."

provide enriches them."

- Mrs Karen Spiller OAM CF | Principal

- Dr Marie Perry | Principal

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Yalari Annual Review 2020

"

Next year, I'll be studying Business, Commerce and Construction Management at Bond University. Thank you to my sponsors who have given me the opportunity to go to this amazing school. I really couldn't have done it without you.

I have learnt so much and have had the best and most memorable time.

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Thank you.

Kiira Bligh is a Year 12 student at The Southport School. His Yalari journey is made possible by The Australian Government.

Celebrating 15 Years of Yalari

The Need for Change.

Education is the key to generational change and brighter future for Indigenous young people and Australia as a whole.

Through Yalari's innovative programs, every student is supported to develop in all areas of their life.

From academics to leadership, self-development to emotional wellbeing, Yalari scholars are guided every step of the way, encouraging them to be the best they can be.

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Yalari Annual Review 2020

Student Support & Development Delivering quality programs of learning, support and development.

Meeting the COVID-19 challenge.

In 2020, the pandemic affected our ability to host some Yalari student events, camps and workshops. Unfortunately, we were forced to cancel our Year 9 Central Australia camps and our Year 12 Graduation ceremony.

By Term 3, almost 100 of our students had been at home for four months studying online. Many others had only been at school for a month or less during Term 2. Almost 20 of those students did not return home for the holidays due to travel restrictions

Support with Compassion.

Yalari’s dedicated student support team works to ensure each child is provided with the necessary one-on-one support required for success at boarding school. From scholarship selection, transition and boarding duration to personal growth and development, the team is with the students every step of the way.

and extended time isolating in their

Despite logistical difficulties, the Yalari student support, development

communities. They stayed at school or

and wellbeing teams still managed to run a series of camps and

with relatives and friends close by.

activities throughout the year. These were aimed at developing student

To varying degrees, every one of our 210 Yalari scholars had their education affected throughout the year. Our Student Support Officers Australia-wide worked hard to support our students with their studies and their overall wellbeing, whether they were at home or back at school. The team adapted to the individual needs of each student, as well as working closely with our partner schools and the students' families.

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confidence, leadership and resilience, strengthening their support networks, providing mentoring and coaching, and ultimately equipping them with the skills required to reach graduation and fulfil their potential.

Celebrating 15 Years of Yalari

Your help got them through!

The unforeseen events of 2020 challenged our whole Yalari community, especially our children and support staff. Our boarding students were sent home, away from their schools, amid the nationwide lock-down.

Many students found the situation physically and emotionally taxing. Fear of falling behind, feeling overwhelmed or stressed, being disconnected and isolated were some of the difficulties expressed to our student support officers by the children. They also missed the interaction with their peers.

YALARI THE GLENNIE SCHOOL STUDENTS (L TO R): ERIKA FREEBAIRN, JAYELAN LANG, TRISH KERSLAKE, COURTNEY DROTINI AND FLORESKA UNICOMB

With your help and support, we were able to innovatively adapt the way we delivered our student support services, working tirelessly to help students move through these challenges and get them on the road back to boarding school.

Orientation Camp: “Winanggaay Nguurrang” or “The Camp of Thinking and Understanding” was held at The Southport School on the Gold Coast in January 2020. Eighty-seven students attended the five-day orientation camp, which prepared them for the transition from primary education to a boarding school environment.

Year 10 & 11 Student Development Camps: The Yalari Year 10 students attended the “My Future” Camp at the University of Adelaide’s Lincoln College, while the Year 11 Camp was held on campus at Queen’s College - University of Melbourne.

These camps provided students with the opportunity to consider their post-school options while experiencing residential college living and university life. The two-day camps allowed students to participate in a variety of workshops and presentations, all aimed at identifying their passions and abilities in order to formulate a career plan.

2020 Yalari Captains: Scholars from Year 11 and Year 12 were chosen for the role of Yalari Captain for their schools based on qualities such as responsible behaviour, leadership, involvement with their school community and acting as a role model for other students. The students attended a pre-Orientation Camp workshop to improve their skills and confidence in communication, leadership and organisation.

Our 2020 Yalari Captains: Aaliyah Blackaby, Anna Dingley, Beau Kendall, Braydon Mundy, Brooke Brown, Chelsea Edwards, Cheyanne Baker, Imani Austin, Kiara Sutton, Mareeya Pigram, Mariah Lennard, Matao Bonney, Mibulgurrdoo Yanner, Ricky Crawshaw-Tomlins, Shauna Dhagapan and Sopheena Toovey.

0025

Yalari Annual Review 2020

BRAYDON MUNDY Yalari Student Braydon Mundy is a proud young Kamilaroi man and Year 11 student who started his Yalari journey in 2016.

As a young boy, Braydon took it upon himself to search for a high school in Sydney that would further his education and accommodate his interest in sport. He applied for a Yalari scholarship and when Braydon's application was successful, he could not believe his good fortune.

Braydon travelled from the small rural town of Collarenebri in northwestern NSW, to North Sydney, to board at Sydney Church of England Grammar School (Shore).

Braydon is a positive role model for his Indigenous peers and other fellow students.

He has represented his school in basketball, travelling interstate to Melbourne and Adelaide to play. He has contributed to numerous events at Shore and is always willing to share his cultural knowledge with the school community.

As for the future, Braydon says: 'I am very excited to finish school but also

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Celebrating 15 Years of Yalari

"Getting a Yalari scholarship has changed my life. It's put me on a path I'd never imagined being on, and has created countless opportunities for me."

IMAGE LEFT: BRAYDON WITH FELLOW YALARI STUDENT, RISHAD COOK-SABATINO | RIGHT: BRAYDON ADDRESSING THE SCHOOL ASSEMBLY

a little bit sad. I've formed so many relationships over my years at Shore, so it will be sad to leave, but I'm excited to see what the world has in store for me."

Braydon has developed a passion for physiotherapy and hopes to study Exercise and Sports Science after graduating from Year 12.

"Getting a Yalari scholarship has changed my life. It's put me on a path I'd never imagined being on, and has

created countless opportunities for me — it's opened so many doors that never would have opened if it wasn't for Yalari," Braydon said.

Sharing his journey with other Yalari students has been a highlight for Braydon: "Just being able to get together with my year grade once a year and share all the memories is pretty special.

"I'd like to thank everyone who supports Yalari. It is a life-changing

organisation — it's changed so many lives, mine in particular. I'm so grateful for the opportunity, so thank you very much."

Thank you.

Braydon's Yalari journey is made possible by the generous support of The Australian Government.

SARAH FRANKLIN Yalari Parent "Thank you to all the mob at Yalari for believing in Braydon Mundy and giving him the opportunity to attend Shore and achieve all he has so far in his schooling years. Without your help, guidance and support he wouldn’t have had this amazing chance that has helped him become the wonderful young man he is today.

You guys do amazing work with our younger generations and help them believe anything is possible with hard work and dedication. From the bottom of our hearts, a huge thank you to Yalari and everyone that works closely with you to support our children. To anyone else who has been a part of Braydon's journey so far — thank you for always believing in and supporting Braydon to follow his dreams."

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Yalari Annual Review 2020

Pathways Program Yalari Pathways is going from strength to strength, assisting Yalari students and a growing number of graduates and alumni.

Empowering future leaders.

In 2020, the Yalari Pathways team has continued to assist the Year 10, 11 and 12 students with their preparation for life after boarding school, encouraging and supporting them to explore tertiary and vocational options.

The team also worked with Yalari alumni and their families, continuing to provide support, advice and guidance in the years following school as they transition into independent life.

IMAGE: YEAR 12 STUDENTS AT THE YALARI PATHWAYS WORKSHOP

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The program is designed to ensure that Yalari students and graduates are getting the best possible career outcomes from their education.

Assistance can include: support and advice with job applications and interviews, assistance with tertiary course enrolment, postschool accommodation options and assistance in securing the financial means to undertake further study or training. Yalari has also partnered with companies and organisations to offer Indigenous internship opportunities.

Celebrating 15 Years of Yalari

"Working with Yalari through the Alumni Internship Program has been a very rewarding experience. Being part of the team supporting our current Yalari scholars

Thank you.

Our supporters understand that the Pathways Program is an integral part of the Yalari journey. This support, as students transition from school to their future endeavours, sets Yalari apart from other scholarship programs. Our sponsors know that Yalari students will have the best possible opportunity to capitalise on their schooling in whatever they decide to pursue in the future.

Thank you to our generous donors, mentors and everyone who contribute to this valuable part of the Yalari scholarship journey.

is what makes it extra special."

Lyric Hearn is a proud Gureng-Gureng woman who graduated from Canberra Girls Grammar School in 2016.

She undertook an internship with Yalari to gain work experience in student support, administration, business operations, marketing and fundraising.

Year 12 Pathways Workshop: Held over three days in March, the annual Year 12 Pathways Workshop was hosted by Herbert Smith Freehills in their Brisbane office.

The purpose of the workshop is to help students prepare for life beyond boarding school. We aim to complement the great work already undertaken by our partner schools as we all support our students to achieve their goals.

Key focus areas included career foundations (resume and cover letter writing sessions, job interview skills and preparedness), goal setting, post-school tertiary options, team building and leadership skills, Indigenous pathways and health, wellbeing and cultural identity for Year 12 and beyond.

Indigenous Internship Program: Yalari continues to support its alumni through further development and employment opportunities as well as personal, career and leadership development, including an Internship Program and Gap Year Program. Yalari has partnered with organisations and businesses who share a commitment to providing high quality employment opportunities for Indigenous youth.

University Partnerships: Many of our Yalari tertiary students have resided in university colleges through partnerships formed with King’s College, Women’s College and Emmanuel College at the University of Queensland, St Andrew’s College at the University of Sydney, St Anne’s College at the University of Sunshine Coast, and Trinity College, Ormond College and Queen’s College at the University of Melbourne. Yalari is developing partnerships with more university colleges to cater for the ever-increasing demand.

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Yalari Annual Review 2020

Alumni Our growing network of leaders, connectors and givers.

370+

Yalari Alumni

The future of Yalari Our alumni are not simply on the journey as supporters of Yalari endeavours. They are the future of Yalari. Just as Waverley acknowledged the difference his education made to him, and wanted to see that opportunity offered to others, these young men and women will help ensure that Yalari continues to empower Indigenous children through education, well into the future.

REKISHA SATOUR Yalari Alumna Rekisha is a Wol-Ngan'giwumurri woman who was born in Mbantwe Alice Springs but found herself on a journey travelling far and wide in the pursuit of her dreams.

"My people come from a small community southwest of Darwin called Daly River, but I grew up in Darwin for most of my childhood. My country is Nordic, an ‘out-station’ on the outskirts of Daly River and belongs to the Nangermirri language group of people. My dreaming is that of the blue tongue lizard who fought a brown snake for our land and in the process left a slide down the Wingate Mountains that reside in our country.

There are defining points in everyone’s lives. These are moments that determine what you are going to do and who you are going to be. For me, joining Yalari in 2012 was one of the defining points in my life.

Much like a family, Yalari moves through life with you, encouraging you and supporting you through everything. Waverley Stanley and his dedicated wife, Llew Mullins, are the founders of Yalari, an organisation that aims to create Indigenous generational change through education.

Ultimately Yalari, through Waverley’s vision, aims to educate and empower Indigenous children from regional, rural and remote areas of Australia.

It wasn’t until the annual Yalari Fundraising Dinner in Adelaide in 2015 that I finally figured out who I wanted to be. It was during one of my many conversations with Waverley. I had asked him how he juggled the ‘two worlds’ that he was part of. Unexpectedly, he told me “we don’t juggle two worlds, we live in one — and that world is ours”. He said we walk our own path and in doing so, must stay true to our values and pay respect to those who have helped us to be where we are.

Thank you.

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Rekisha's Yalari journey was made possible by the generous support of The Australian Government.

In 2016, I graduated from Great Southern Grammar in Albany, Western Australia, an achievement that would not have been possible without the vision of one man. Attending a wonderful school like Great Southern Grammar and graduating as Head Girl is one of my biggest achievements and it is all thanks to the belief from everyone who supports Yalari. The second biggest achievement in my life was receiving an Indigenous scholarship to study psychology at Bond University in 2017 — another achievement that would not have been possible without my education and the support of Yalari. In May 2020, I proudly graduated with a Bachelor of Psychological Science.

Yalari has given me so much and there are not enough ways to show my gratitude. I like to ‘give-back’ by staying connected with Yalari, helping out with speaking engagements and events, and acting as a mentor to the younger students."

Celebrating 15 Years of Yalari

Valuable outcomes Yalari is committed to the ongoing support and development of all Yalari graduates and alumni, offering a series of leadership programs focusing on personal and professional development. The programs are centered around the wellbeing of participants on a cultural, physical, spiritual, emotional, social, economic and educational level.

YALARI ALUMNI, MICHAEL NOAH (LEFT) AND ALAN MUMMERY

Passion with purpose.

The Yalari alumni are an impressive group of confident, welleducated and ambitious young people who are proud of their culture and achievements.

They are grateful for the opportunities they have received through Yalari and its supporters, their respective schools and the many individuals who have assisted them on their journey.

In 2020, the Yalari alumni increasingly contributed to the organisation through their involvement with Yalari activities.

Alumni assisted in the running of major events including student camps and workshops, represented Yalari at speaking engagements and assisted in the student scholarship interview process.

The valuable outcomes from Yalari’s leadership program will support, develop and transform the next generation of Indigenous leaders in Australia.

Inaugural Alumni Summit: Held over two days, the first Yalari Alumni Summit provided an opportunity for alumni to meet and discuss the ways in which Yalari's work continues in perpetuity as they take charge of the ongoing stewardship of the organisation. The summit aimed to encourage strong engagement with some, if not all, alumni in direct activity with Yalari.

At the end of the event, attendees gained insight and information to help inform the Yalari Pathways development.

INAUGURAL YALARI ALUMNI SUMMIT

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Yalari Annual Review 2020

JAYCEE SELLINGS Yalari Student Jaycee Sellings is a proud young Gunaikurnai woman from Lakes Entrance in East Gippsland Victoria. She was awarded a Yalari scholarship to commence Year 7 boarding at Geelong Grammar School in 2015. The Newsboys Foundation has been proud to support Jaycee throughout her secondary education at Geelong Grammar School.

In 2020, Jaycee will graduate from Geelong Grammar School and is preparing to attend university. She has an offer from Australian Catholic University (ACU) to complete a Bachelor of Education and has been awarded an education and accommodation scholarship.

"People should support Yalari because not only does it give Indigenous children an education, but it also allows them to experience things they might never have experienced. It helps Indigenous students reach their full potential and still have opportunities to go further than they might have ever thought they could.

Thank you to Sandy and the Newsboys Foundation for

Thank you.

allowing me to receive a great education. Without this

Jaycee's Yalari journey was made possible by the generous support of The Newsboys Foundation.

opportunity, I wouldn't have been able to attend Geelong Grammar School. By giving me this opportunity, I now value education a lot more and this has been a major factor in my decision to study education."

LAUREN WESCOTT Yalari Parent "I want to express my gratitude for the amazing

Koby has spent the past two years working as a teacher’s

opportunity you presented to Koby and Jaycee all those

aide back at his old primary school and is hoping to head

years ago. The opportunity for them to leave a small town

to uni next year to study primary education.

with limited opportunities to attend a school like Geelong Grammar School, has changed their lives.

Jaycee is heading to ACU in Melbourne next year to study primary education also. We all know that we need more

They travelled to Japan, visited multiple places in this

Indigenous teachers in the education sector to help our

beautiful country, experienced hiking the mountains

younger generations.

in snow, living without technology for a year while at Timbertop and learned resilience during challenging times.

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They both wear their Yalari clothing with pride and love to tell people about Yalari when the opportunity arises.

Celebrating 15 Years of Yalari

KOBY SELLINGS Yalari Alumnus “My name is Koby Sellings and I am a proud Gunaikurnai man from Lakes Entrance in South-East Victoria. I started at Geelong Grammar School in 2013 and graduated in 2018 with the honour of being Yalari Valedictorian and Perry (my boarding house) Vice Captain. I am currently studying a Bachelor of Education (Primary) at Deakin University in Waurn Ponds.

The Yalari scholarship gave me so many opportunities to explore different aspects of Australia and various places within our country. It also gave me the opportunity to create relationships that have impacted me and the way I go about things.

"

To Alan and Liz Hay, I couldn’t be more honoured and grateful to have such amazing sponsors supporting me throughout my journey. Thank you.

To everyone behind the scenes at Yalari, your work definitely does not go unappreciated and I am very grateful for all of the work that you have done, making an indelible impact on our lives. We are grateful and thank you very much.

Being on the scholarship helped shape parts of who I am today, along with my family and friends. People should support Yalari because it is a life-changing opportunity for young Indigenous leaders to show everyone how amazing they are.

There are “hidden gems” in remote and rural areas of Australia that no one knows about and Yalari is helping give them the opportunity to shine.”

Thank you.

Koby's Yalari journey was made possible by the generous support of John & Liz Hay.

From the bottom of my heart, as a parent, I cannot thank you enough. To Waverley and Llew — you are the most caring, kind, compassionate and giving people I have ever met. Not only for the work you do to help the younger generation, but by welcoming them into your home and heart as family. I could never thank you enough for what you have done for Koby and Jaycee.

To the amazing staff, volunteers and sponsors: words cannot express how grateful we are for the hard work you put in for our kids to help keep Yalari going. You really are changing the lives of Indigenous children in this country.”

IMAGE: LAUREN WESCOTT AND KOBY SELLINGS

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Yalari Annual Report 2020

"

Thank you.

I am honoured to be able to give back to Yalari and the younger generation of students.

Della Bedford is a Yalari alumna who graduated from Geelong Grammar School in 2016. Her Yalari journey was made possible by The Australian Government.

IMAGE: YALARI DONOR AND VOLUNTEER, GILLIAN JOHNSON (LEFT) WITH DELLA BEDFORD.

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GILLIAN AND DELLA TRAVELLED THROUGH WESTERN AUSTRALIA CONDUCTING STUDENT INTERVIEWS.

Celebrating 15 Years of Yalari

Thank you for being part of the Yalari Family It is only through the support of our special, generous and compassionate Yalari community that our students can achieve positive, life-changing outcomes for themselves and their families.

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Yalari Annual Review 2020

BROOKE MASSENDER Yalari Supporter "I believe strongly in the transformative power of education and the innate talent and unrealised potential of First Nations peoples. Yalari brings both of these together with a spirit of positivity and fun."

While attending a Freehills Foundation pro bono lunch event in 2006, Brooke was introduced to Waverley and the Yalari story.

A lawyer for international law firm Herbert Smith Freehills, Brooke was instantly struck by Waverley's vision, passion and sense of fun. But despite feeling an immediate connection to the cause, Brooke also felt a little reluctant.

"I was slightly hesitant about the idea of taking young people away from their home communities," she explains.

"But rather than back-off, I chose to lean in, learn more, and closely follow Yalari's organisational growth and impact on the students."

In just a few short years, Herbert Smith Freehills and Yalari had developed a holistic relationship involving pro bono legal support, strategic

0036

guidance, business orientation days at HSF offices, tutoring programs, financial support and more.

"I thought that I was too working class and too 'northern' — that I stuck out like a sore thumb," she says.

Brooke, who grew up in the northeast of England in a small agricultural town with a low socio-economic profile, described herself as a "megageek" who couldn't wait to get away to a bigger city for more study at university.

It was then, Brooke decided to pack up and head to Australia to volunteer at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. She ended up working as a paralegal at Freehills (as HSF was known back then).

"I'd worked so hard to get there and was the first generation in our family to access a tertiary education. To begin with, I couldn't understand why the other students were partying all the time. They seemed to take the opportunity to study for granted.

However, I quickly learned how to balance the two!"

Following university, Brooke was offered a position in a major commercial law firm in London, but explains feeling like 'a fish out of water.'

"Before I knew it I had engaging work, and colleagues who genuinely seemed to judge me on my merit not my background. The rest is history," she says.

Being the first in her family to finish high school, attend university, travel away from home and work in a corporate environment, gives Brooke a deep connection to the Yalari mission.

"I have experienced the feeling of being unseen or unheard because of your background rather than your abilities. I am extremely aware of how

Celebrating 15 Years of Yalari

educational opportunities broaden horizons and open the mind to what you are truly capable of."

"I am also acutely conscious of my own white privilege and feel a responsibility to First Nations communities to do whatever I can within the sphere of my own influence and privilege to distribute opportunities more evenly and recognise talent and potential more readily," Brooke reveals.

About a year ago, Brooke sat down with her husband and son to discuss which organisations and causes they wanted to support as a family.

Brooke knew this would be a very different decision-making process to the decisions made every day in her pro bono legal role. It was less about objective criteria and more about values and personal connection.

"We discussed a range of options and Yalari was the only organisation

that we agreed on unanimously," Brooke explains.

Yalari as a trusted adviser, through thick and thin."

As a lawyer, Brooke has seen the difficult choices that non-profit organisations have to make about how to apply their time and resources. The more time they spend fundraising the less time they have for service delivery, in this case student focus.

As a passionate Yalari advocate, Brooke would encourage those seeking to make a positive difference for Indigenous children and their communities, to learn more about Yalari.

"I was drawn to the idea of Yalari's Mary Boydell Endowment Fund as a long-term strategy for generating funds and sustainability to ensure opportunities for future generations under an increasingly studentcentric service delivery model."

When asked what type of legacy she would like to leave, Brooke simply says "as a loyal and long-term supporter who walked alongside

"I would challenge anybody to attend the Yalari Gala dinner yearon-year and not feel inspired and motivated to support successive cohorts of young people with talent, vision, tenacity and creativity. All they need is a chance to thrive. I believe passionately in the real potential for intergenerational change and a different narrative and trajectory in Australia for First Nations peoples."

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Yalari Annual Review 2020

Volunteering Yalari's growth and community spirit owes a lot to our passionate and dedicated team of volunteers.

BRIONY BENJAMIN Yalari Tutor "At the start of 2020 I began doing some volunteer tutoring with the Kambala Yalari students. However it wasn’t long before Covid struck and meant I could no longer visit the school. Rather than stopping tutoring all together, we instead began some zoom tutoring. It was an interesting experience at first, trying to do maths homework via zoom was a little difficult. Because of the zoom restrictions I focussed just on one student - Taylor. Taylor would hold up the textbook, I’d screen shot the page and work out what question she was working on. Once we got a bit of a system going, we hit our stride. With many of the subjects having online learning portals, this also made it a lot easier.

Returning to see Taylor and the other lovely Yalari students at Kambala in real life, has been great. It’s been impressive to see the huge development in Taylor’s reading, writing and mathematics in such a small space of time. I’ve been blown away by her progress.

Full credit to her school teachers and tutors. It’s been lovely to be a very small part of this development and I look forward to watching all the girls continue to develop their skills and confidence. "

"

Thank you to everyone helping me get a good education. I am so happy that I can go to a school like Kambala and receive so many opportunities. I hope to make my family proud and go to university when I finish school.

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Thank you.

Taylor Hammond is a student at Kambala. Her Yalari journey is made possible by the generosity of Jenny & John Hall.

Celebrating 15 Years of Yalari

IMAGE: INAUGURAL YALARI GIVING DAY - VOLUNTEERS

The landscape of Yalari volunteering was different in 2020 due to COVID-19 related restrictions, however volunteers from all walks of life and professions continued to generously donate their time and expertise to further Yalari’s work and to help our students be the best they can be.

We continue to work to ensure that both Yalari and our volunteers mutually benefit from the involvement of volunteering.

We are constantly looking for new ways to engage and involve our volunteers, so they can further enrich and support our programs. Yalari hopes to provide a relevant and engaging experience for them.

Thank you to all our wonderful volunteers who play a vital role in the ongoing success of Yalari’s programs and initiatives.

2020 Overview

200+

Active Volunteers

6,500+

Volunteer hours

Student Tutoring: There were many generous people across the country who gave their time to tutor Yalari students.

Tutoring involves supporting the student, or group of students, to develop their skills and understanding of a particular subject. Yalari tutors provide expertise, experience and encouragement as they assist the student to identify issues, to problem solve and develop new skills.

Yalari Fundraising Dinners: In 2020, Yalari Dinners were postponed due to the COVID-19 situation. We thank our Dinner Committee volunteers who continued to plan for any outcome, despite the uncertainty surrounding events.

Inaugural Yalari Giving Day: Volunteers from several key corporate partners, Yalari alumni and individuals, volunteered their time at Yalari's first ever Giving Day held in Brisbane.

Board and Advisory Councils: In 2020, we had seven board members, five of whom work on a voluntary basis alongside our Founding Director and Managing Director, offering their expertise to lead and guide Yalari’s strategic direction.

Members of the NSW Regional Council have continued to work to increase awareness and support of Yalari within New South Wales. The council operates under the control and direction of the board.

Yalari Alumni: The Yalari alumni are increasingly contributing to the organisation. Giving hundreds of hours in volunteer time, alumni assisted Yalari in running any events we were able to hold. They were also part of the fundraising organising committees and represented the organisation at speaking engagements throughout the year.

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Yalari Annual Report 2020

Our Valued

Partners & Sponsors We couldn't do it without you! The generous support of our donors, sponsors and corporate partners, provides education and post-school opportunities to Indigenous children, enabling them to pursue their goals and dreams.

Yalari’s partners, donors and sponsors make a tangible difference in bringing about positive, sustainable change for Indigenous children and young adults by empowering them through education.

Yalari is immensely grateful to the many individuals, companies and organisations who choose to support our Indigenous young people. Thank you for sharing in our mission of creating ongoing opportunities for the betterment of our society as a whole.

Building a stronger community, together.

Humanitix In 2015, two best mates Josh Ross and Adam McCurdie, decided to team up and create Humanitix, the world's first not-forprofit ticketing platform. Their aim was to make a difference by donating 100% of profits to education projects.

Yalari was one of the first organisations to come on-board with the innovative start-up in 2017, and as of December 2020, has received over $170,000 in Humanitix donations.

HUMANITIX FOUNDERS, JOSH ROSS (LEFT) AND ADAM MCCURDIE

“I can’t tell you how grateful we are to the whole team at Yalari.

Back in 2015 we had this crazy idea, very few people thought it could work. For our first year, Yalari was actually our largest client.

With the Yalari dinners and the Macquarie Group Foundation providing 50% matching on donations Humanitix made to Yalari, our idea gained traction. This has led to our success," explains Josh.

The partnership between Humanitix and Yalari has gone from strength to strength. From using the service for Yalari's fundraising dinners and events, to promoting the platform among our partner schools, it has been an incredible journey so far.

"We are so grateful to Josh, Adam and the team for embracing Yalari, believing in our children and including us all on this wonderful journey," says Jenni Heenan, Yalari Fundraising Manager.

"We look forward to our continuing partnership which directly creates opportunities for our Indigenous children to succeed."

0040 THE HUMANITIX CREW

Celebrating 15 Years of Yalari

(L TO R): MAX BOHLSCHEID (DIRECTOR, THE EARLE FOUNDATION), KERRY BOHLSCHEID, WAVERLEY STANLEY AM, BARRY CRONIN (DIRECTOR, THE EARLE FOUNDATION), LLEW MULLINS

The Earle Foundation Since coming on board in 2012, Yalari partner, the Earle

"Yalari's students and alumni are an inspiring example of what

Foundation, has generously donated to student scholarships

can be achieved when given the right opportunities," he says.

each year. The foundation primarily supports causes whose focus is on education for disadvantaged youth and they are the current sponsors of 24 Yalari scholarships across Queensland.

"Our proud association with Yalari is helping change lives and we are very proud of that. Simply put, we are here to help and glad our support is making a difference."

"We believe all children have the right to receive a good education; to become contributing citizens and future leaders of Australia," says Earle Foundation Director, Barry Cronin.

"To my sponsors at the

"I am very thankful to my

Earle Foundation, thank

sponsors for giving me

you for giving me this

the opportunity to attend

incredible opportunity to

Scots PGC and help better

gain a bright future and

my education. I am excited

I look forward to seeing

about being in Year 10 and

where my education takes

look forward to what the

me. I know it will be great!

year will bring."

Thank you for believing in TYRESE IDAI - YEAR 9, ANGLICAN CHURCH GRAMMAR SCHOOL

me. I am trying hard to be the best I can."

BRIONY MARSHALL - YEAR 10, SCOTS PGC IN WARWICK.

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Yalari Annual Report 2020

Our Valued

Partners & Sponsors

0042

86 Individuals sponsoring children

Celebrating 15 Years of Yalari

47 Corporate partnerships

& trusts 42 Foundations sponsoring children

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Yalari Annual Review 2020

Our Valued

Partners & Sponsors RPS Group RPS has a long history of giving back to the communities we live and work in. As an organisation we prosper from providing services across Australian cities, regional centres and rural communities and we believe that giving back is simply the right thing to do.

Our partnership with Yalari is so important to us because of the life-changing opportunity it creates for First Nations kids from remote areas. Equally, we value it as our opportunity to be part of

CHARLEA SMITH - YEAR 9, ST MARGARET'S ANGLICAN GIRLS SCHOOL, BRISBANE

creating change through Yalari’s great work, and a brighter future for the next generation.

We proudly sponsor Charlea Smith at St. Margaret’s in Brisbane

"When I finish Year 12, I want to go

and love hearing from her about what’s going on at school. Our

to UQ and study psychology and

staff roll up their sleeves enthusiastically to volunteer at the Yalari dinners, offer up their time to provide extra lessons or mentoring

possibly education. I am aiming for

to students when they get the chance and rally around fundraising

a PhD in psychology. I had always

events. This year we were also excited to welcome our first intern through Yalari (Ricky Crawshaw-Tomlins) and we look forward to

wanted to study psychology when I

being able to do more.

started high school, but now I know

- Diane Christensen - People Director, RPS Group

I’d like to study at UQ. I would not have this incredible opportunity if it was not for you.

Thank you for supporting me. "

ROSS THOMPSON (RPS CEO - AUSTRALIA ASIA PACIFIC) WITH YALARI ALUMNA REKISHA SATOUR AND SHERELLE JOHNSON (RPS CFO - AUSTRALIA ASIA PACIFIC)

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Celebrating 15 Years of Yalari

Thank you, our very special friends.

152 Pty Ltd

Di and Steve McCready

JC Gamble Family Trust

Peta Seymour Foundation

Accor Hotels

Diana Laidlaw

Jeannie Newman

Peter Isaacson Foundation

ACN

Doug Hall Foundation Earle Foundation

Jennifer and Richard UnwinFirn

Philippa Miller

Alan and Liz Hay Allyson Stubbe

Elizabeth Bonner

Andrew Buchanan

Envato Foundation

Andrew Rennie

Epic Private Journeys

Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie)

Fenwick Family Foundation

Anglo American Metallurgical Coal Annabelle Chapple Archie and Mary Lou Douglas Babcock International Group Bagot Gjergja Foundation Bar Association of Queensland Barbara Snel

Findex Community Fund Fiona and Richard East Fiona Williams Fireworks Gallery FitzGibbon Family Endowment Trust FTI Consulting (Australia) Geoff Norman

Ben and Shelley Wilson

Geoffrey Davies AO and Thea Davies

Bennelong Foundation

Gillian Johnson

Binns & Moore Generosity Fund

Goodman

Blackwood Foundation Bob and Gill Hogarth Brad and Annie Horn Bruce Davidson

Grant and Linden Oliver Grant Thornton Audit Greyhound Australia Grosvenor Foundation

Jennifer Hall

Pinnacle Charitable Foundation

Jennmar Australia

QBE Foundation

Joanne Rennick

Resolution Capital

John Neilson

Richard Norris

John Reid AO and Lynn Rainbow Reid AO

Richard Oliver AM

John and Diana Todd Jordan Family Charitable Trust Judith Musgrave Family Foundation K & L Gates Laurie Mullins Law Rocks Lendlease Group Services Lipman Karas Luke Sullivan Macquarie Foundation Margaret Henley Mark Burgin McCullough Robertson Melissa Fletcher

Chrysanthemum Foundation

Gulf Area Community Social Development Trust

Citrix Systems Asia Pacific

Guymer Bailey Architects

Mia Williams

Claire Nontapan-Smith

H&J Davies Foundation

Minter Ellison

'Class of 84' - GGS

Hall & Wilcox

Murray Swan

Cody Foundation

Helen Lyons Foundation

Natalie Marie Jewellery

Comhar Foundation

Hentley Farm Wines

Newsboys Foundation

Commercial Eyes

Herbert Smith Freehills

Niall Foundation

ConocoPhillips Australia Operations

Heritage Bank Charitable Foundation

Nicola Mathews

Cowell Electric Supply

Hickory Group Holdings Limited

Craig Butcher Croxley Foundation Daniel Pittorino Daniel Williams David Mathews Davidson Delmore Gallery Desmond Knight

Hocking Mackie Foundation Humanitix JB Were J & M Wright Foundation Jane Forrest Jane Gamble Jane Wilson

Mia Foundation

Northrop Grumman Australia Nunn Dimos Foundation Oakley Foundation Omnia Technology 'Opportunity 12' Pankaj Singla Dr Patricia Matthews and Dr Neville Sandford

Rob and Jenny Sindel Roden Family Foundation Dr Roger Grigg Rork Projects - WA Initiative Rosey Kids Foundation RPS Group Sally & Ranald Ferrier Sarah Brockhoff Sarah Darling Scotch College, Adelaide Seymour Whyte Constructions Shane Doyle Simon Rooney Simone Vinall Sinclair Charitable Trust Stan & Maureen Duke Foundation Sue Chase The Deloitte Foundation The Leroy & Joy Brauer Charitable Trust The Scrimshaw Family Foundation Thyne Reid Foundation Timothy Fairfax Tomas Williams Tony Jackson Trevor and Jan Olsen Trevor Davey Veritas Vicki Hanman Wally Boydell

Paul and Judy Williams

William Laurie

Perpetual

Yellow Window Foundation 0045

Yalari Annual Review 2020

Community Support The passion and commitment from our Yalari family is bringing about positive change for Indigenous peoples in Australia.

Our community is our strength.

Sponsored Scholarships

General Donations

Endowment Fund

Regular Giving

$3.2M

$852,748

$272,370

$187,802

Amount raised for sponsored student scholarships.

General donations raised throughout the year.

Amount donated to creating an ongoing, perpetual source of funding for Yalari programs.

Donations received from our monthly supporters.

0046

Celebrating 15 Years of Yalari

YALARI GOLF DAY: (L to R) Trish Matthews, Wally Boydell, Steve McCready, Di McCready, Waverley Stanley AM, Rob McConnell, Jenni Heenan, Suzie France, Kevin MacKenzie, Neville Sandford.

Thank you.

The coronavirus pandemic has affected all of us and created additional pressures on our fundraising efforts, especially with the cancellation of several key events and in-person social interactions.

But despite these challenges, your belief and generosity remained strong, and made it possible for over 500 Indigenous children and young people to learn, dream, achieve and succeed though education and post-school opportunities.

Beneficiary Events

Workplace Giving

Fundraising Dinners

Inaugural Yalari Giving Day

$936,776 $60,426

$54,564

$0.00

Thank you to the many individuals, companies and schools who hosted or participated in fundraising events on behalf of Yalari.

We are grateful to the many companies who support us, and their generous employees who donate to Yalari through workplace giving initiatives.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we were unable to host any fundraising dinners in 2020.

In late November, we held the first ever Yalari Giving Day, a 12 hour, one-day-only event with the aim of raising much needed funds by engaging with the Yalari community in a fun and rewarding way.

The community response defied all expectations, raising nearly $1M! 0047

Yalari Annual Review 2020

Financial Report Overview 2020 Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, donors and supporters, we continue to build on our strong financial position.

Investment Returns 2.54%

Sponsorships 27.29%

Donations 17.03%

Other income 4.27%

Revenue $6.784M

People give during tough times.

It’s a phrase we’ve heard at Yalari before, and the 2020 year proved this statement to be true.

While our total revenue was down from 2019, it only decreased by 4.3%. More significantly, our general donation income increased by 59.2% and donations to the Mary Boydell Endowment Fund were significantly higher than in any previous year. An incredible result.

The priority of our expenditure was always towards our student and alumni activities which accounted for 74.9% of all expenditure for the year. Our annual expenditure fell by 6.8%, affected significantly during terms 2 and 3 due to the impact of COVID-19.

We are so very grateful for the generosity and support we received from everyone, not only financially, but also the time, skills and expertise we receive.

Our focus remains on robust financial management and ensuring efficient and effective systems, supporting the delivery of all student and alumni programs.

Endowment Fund 4.01% Commonwealth Grants 44.45%

Business Services 12.55%

Student Events 3.23% Fundraising Events 0.83% Fundraising Operations 11.69%

Scholarships 52.81%

Expenditure $6.100M

Pathways 5.26% Pathways Events 0.25%

Student Support 14.58%

This information has been extracted from our annual audited financial statements. These have been filed with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) and are available on our website. The financial statements were given an unqualified opinion by our auditors.

0048

Celebrating 15 Years of Yalari

Program Expenditure Dec-20

Dec-19

$

$

6,784,806

7,089,515

3,221,762

3,515,408

Student Support

889,512

787,174

Student Events

196,837

292,693

Pathways

247,765

344,188

Pathways Events

15,101

0

Fundraising Events

50,691

264,139

Fundraising Operations

713,186

576,111

Business Services

765,905

768,849

Total Expenditure

6,100,759

6,548,562

684,047

540,953

Revenue Program Expenditure Scholarships

Surplus for Year

Endowment Fund $600,000

$557,109

Donations Earnings

$480,000

Balance

$360,000 $277,565

$240,000

$208,477

$220,927

$102,945

$120,000 $0 2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

0049

Yalari Annual Review 2020

Your support is valuable — and greatly appreciated!

We could not do it without you. Thank you for supporting the education of Indigenous children and young people so they can learn, dream, achieve and succeed in life.

Sponsor a Scholarship

Make a donation

01.

01.

You can choose to sponsor a scholarship for an Indigenous child to attend one of our partner schools.

Make a tax-deductible donation to Yalari.

Sponsor Student Support

Become a regular giver

02.

02.

Students are in need of text books, school uniforms, compulsory excursions and camps etc.

Sponsor a student camp or Yalari event

03.

Yalari hosts several events throughout the year including student support camps, fundraising activities and corporate events. We highly value

Leave a gift in your Will

03.

the commitment of each Yalari partner and customise sponsorships to be mutually beneficial.

Sponsoring one of our events provides you with a unique and exciting opportunity to connect with the Yalari community, build brand awareness and show your support for an important cause.

0050

Set up a regular giving arrangement which suits your situation.

Become part of a very special group of Yalari supporters who have chosen to leave a gift to Yalari in their Will.

In-kind donations

04.

Make a donation of goods or services in support of Yalari events or operations.

Celebrating 15 Years of Yalari

"

I am very grateful for this opportunity to be on a Yalari scholarship and learn at such a wonderful school. And to my sponsors – a special thank you. I can promise you I will do my best.

Thank you.

Mary Boydell Endowment Fund

05.

Milli Carter is student at Geelong Grammar School. Her Yalari journey is made possible by the generosity of the Sinclair Charitable Trust.

Be part of the long-term vision of Yalari by contributing to Yalari's endowment fund.

These donations are particularly powerful as they deliver a dependable, perpetual source of funding.

Workplace giving

Volunteering

07.

01.

Arranged through your employer, you can choose to make a regular pre-tax donation through your weekly, fortnightly or monthly pay. Make a positive difference while you go about your daily work!

Volunteering roles range from one-off events to long term commitments.

Fundraise for Yalari

Tutoring

06.

02.

You can hold a fundraising event of your choice where the proceeds are donated to Yalari. Have fun with friends while supporting a good cause!

Help a Yalari student, or group of students, develop their skills and understanding of a particular subject.

0051

Yalari Annual Review 2020

Educating and Empowering Indigenous Children for 15 years. Thank you.

0052

Celebrating 15 Years of Yalari

0053

Yalari Annual Review 2020

Caught Between Worlds

by Kiara Sutton WRITTEN FOR NAIDOC WEEK 2020 : 'ALWAYS WAS, ALWAYS WILL BE'

As I look upon the horizon and watch the sun slowly set, as I’m drawing shapes in the sand, my nan begins to talk about my great-grandfather. She talks about the complex fabric of his life at the Roper River Mission, his building of St Andrew’s Anglican Church, and his Anindilyakwa language. But she also talks about when he was taken to the unknown land, disorientated, isolated, abandoned. And how he could hear his mother screaming, begging, despairing, while the missionaries stole her children, ripped them away from her, away from their land.

When my great-grandfather was sent to the Emerald River Mission on Groote Eylandt, he had arrived in an unknown place where they had spoken to him in an incomprehensible language of guilt, redemption, and salvation. And so my great-grandfather’s displacement led to my family’s displacement, then my displacement. His story is the ghost that follows us around. You see, my family is not recognised as a people. We are 'wrong skin'.

We are displaced. We are Mara people on Warnindhilyagwa land.

In 2020, I’m currently in Year 12 at a boarding school in Sydney, seeking to take advantage of the opportunities that my family would have never dreamt. Rewrite a story where it was always white versus black, and white was the winning majority, black the uneducated loser. While it was hard being away from my community, coming to Kambala helped me to discover the persistent need for change for me and the future generations of Aboriginal people. To create a world of multicolour fabric, not

KIARA SUTTON IS A PROUD INDIGENOUS YOUNG WOMEN IN YEAR 12 AT KAMBALA IN SYDNEY.

land even within the country that I grew up in, I felt displaced.

At home, I was an outsider looking in, but it wasn’t just me, my whole family was affected by this. People think that culture is closely related to your skin colour, and at home, to the people there, my family and I were not dark enough and we would constantly be referred to as ‘half-caste’ (which hurts even more as it is a derogatory term used during the stolen generations).

just black and white.

So I write this to begin a dialogue.

But moving to a big city like Sydney has not always been easy, due

A dialogue that tells of always being taught to be proud of my

to the majority of people having a lack of understanding about

culture and Aboriginality. A dialogue that speaks of my great-

the complexities of our displaced heritage. Every year my school

grandfather whose ghost remains a big influence. Even though he

dedicates one assembly to the celebration and recognition of

was a part of the Stolen Generation, he created his own identity

my people. A chance for others to 'discover' the past and work

that embraced the displacement.

towards a future where non-Indigenous and Indigenous people can be a part of an inclusive community. However, it is during these times that I am reminded of how sporadic this recognition is and how little people understand about the ramifications of the ironically titled Aborigines Protection Act, 1909-1969.

I am caught between two worlds and in both, I am displaced.

While our culture is all about making connections and ties to the 0054

A dialogue about growing up on Groote Eylandt and how there was always something missing. Once my nan told me the story about my great-grandfather, I understood why.

A dialogue that speaks to our ongoing connection to place and people. Because as I look upon the horizon and watch the sun slowly set, I don’t see black and white; I only see the promise of living in one unified world.

CONTACT US Postal address: PO Box 1355 Oxenford QLD 4210 E-mail/Web: info@yalari.org www.yalari.org Phone: (07) 5665 8688 © Yalari Limited 2020. All rights reserved.

ACN 113 794 148 | ABN 66 113 794 148 Disclaimer: All efforts have been made to ensure the information contained in this document is accurate at time of printing.

www.yalari.org