MITS Gala Dinner

come On 22 October, nearly 400 members of the MITS community came together at Carousel for our 2026 Gala Dinner, celebrating ten years of MITS and the students, families, communities and supporters who have shaped our journey. We had music from Kiah Darlow, a moving welcome from Uncle Colin Hunter Jnr and the wonderful Megzy was our MC. 

The theme for the evening, Woven Strong, reflected the many strands that have shaped MITS over the past decade: the aspirations of students and families, the guidance of Elders and communities, the dedication of staff and the generosity of supporters. 

Most importantly, the night belonged to our students.

Year 8 students Jordan and Mya beautifully described MITS as a weaving, with students arriving carrying the strands of their families, communities, cultures, languages and connections to Country. They reflected on the new strands added through friendships, teachers, boarding staff, volunteers and supporters, and the confidence, courage and opportunities they have gained along the way. 

As they prepare to transition to their Pathways Schools next year, Jordan and Mya also spoke about carrying their culture and learning with them and sharing their knowledge and experiences with family and community. Their message to MITS supporters was simple and powerful: “Your support doesn't just help the students standing here tonight. It helps future students, future families and future communities.” 

Krisheena and Harmony shared their creativity, with Year 7 students speaking about their collaboration with the Monash University Museum of Art and artist Nicholas Currie. Through the project, students created ceramic footballs decorated with symbols and patterns representing who they are, where they come from, the people they care about and the things important to them. 

Later in the evening, guests heard from Year 12 students Keira and Mara, before Lailani Bransden closed the student speeches with a powerful reflection on her MITS journey and the path ahead. 

A highlight of the evening was a series of beautiful films created pro bono by Fancy Films, bringing the stories of our students, families and communities to life. Among them was Casey’s remarkable story of travelling from her home on Vanderlin Island to pursue her education in Melbourne.

Family and community voices were equally important. Parents Wade Nish and Bonita Farrell travelled from Elliott in the Northern Territory to yarn with MITS Chair Liz Tudor AM about their family's experience of choosing MITS for their young people. 

These voices captured what Woven Strong means for MITS. Our students' success is not achieved alone. It is woven from family and community, culture and Country, friendships, teachers and boarding staff, and a generous network of people who believe in what our young people can achieve.

That generosity was once again extraordinary. The Gala raised a substantial amount of  funds to support MITS students and programs. including nearly 100 auction items donated by the MITS community for a silent auction.  

As we celebrate our first ten years and look towards the next chapter of MITS, we are incredibly grateful to everyone who has contributed a strand to our story. To our families, communities, staff, volunteers, partners, donors and friends, thank you for standing alongside our students and helping create opportunities for the generations who will follow.

As Jordan and Mya told us on the night: “Together, we are Woven Strong.”