CELEBRATING FIRST NATIONS CULTURE 

Indigenous Identities Deliver a Powerful Message at our First Nations Scholarship Dinner

St Augustine’s hosted our annual Leadership Gathering Dinner late last month. We  called it the First Nations Scholarship Boarding Dinner, and all AIEF and IYLP Scholarship students attended. The theme of the evening was education and making the most of it. Students and invited guests enjoyed a delicious meal from Tolle's team of chefs and listened to inspirational talks. Our student hosts were Delphina Day, in Year 11, from St Monica’s and Year 12 Saints student Toby Prasad-Bollen. They did an excellent job.

Guest speaker was chartered accountant Mr Keiron Laifoo. Keiron, from the Torres Strait, graduated from Saints in 2008 on an IYLP scholarship. He spoke about his time as a boarder, from Years 8 to 12. We heard about his willingness to do his very best with the opportunity that he was given, and how he involved himself in as much as he could here. Keiron encouraged all in the room to do the same. He captained the First XIII rugby team, he was a house captain and a student leader. We thank Keiron for his wise words and time.

We were also privileged to hear from Mr Nyunggai Warren Mundine and Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price who recorded video messages. Both spoke of the wonderful opportunities the students have been given and how education is the key to their future success. Thanks to the AIEF Scholarship Foundation for making this possible. Our special guest for the evening was AIEF Executive Ms Angelica Castillejos from the organisation's Brisbane office. Thank you to both colleges' leadership teams for supporting the evening.

Speeches were also given by IYLP students Jyrell Richardson in Year 9 and Shyanne Moidin in Year 10. Each spoke excellently about their IYLP National Gathering last year. Subita Lui, in Year 11 and host Toby Prasad-Bollen spoke about the AIEF Cannington South 32 mine visit at the end of Term 2. Thanks to the students who braved the crowd, fought back nerves and apprehension to stand up and talk.

Sincere thanks to Mrs Maree McCormack, Mr Brett Toombs and College Principal Mr Glen Seivers for all their support and assistance with the evening. Also, many thanks to our Tolle's staff for the tasty meal and Mrs McKenzie’s Hospitality students for helping to set-up the room. Thanks also to Arts Captain Mathew Christensen for helping me manage the data projector and the sound set-up. Great work Mathew!