Yiramalay Foundation

In the shadow of COVID-19 the Yiramalay Foundation has continued to support the transformational partnership between the Fitzroy Valley community and Wesley College. It continues to connect two communities who share a vision to bring about positive change through education for all. The onset of the pandemic arrived with unique challenges in both Melbourne and the Kimberley: the question of how to provide culturally safe and meaningful engagement in real-time across three states and time zones, the need to navigate measures understandably designed to restrict movement and protect Aboriginal communities, the call for innovation around addressing the calamitous lack of ability to connect online in remote communities, and the quest to access suitable spaces for study for students, were some of many issues to consider. 

The goal was always to maintain strong community connections and family engagement in a remote and digital environment until the return to face-to-face interaction could occur. The response was innovative and agile and saw the team creatively redesigning and adapting spaces in unanticipated ways in a very short time frame. As is often the case, opportunity and strength were derived from adversity; it quickly became evident that our community was willing to embrace digital technologies and platforms that connected each us in ways we had not previously thought possible. 

Fifteen students graduated from the program in December, and will celebrate the occasion and share this special moment with family and friends, this year, in the Kimberley. Resilience and endurance are words that come to mind when considering the immense challenges these students have overcome to complete this rite of passage. This notable highlight and many more, in a year of restrictions and social distancing is made possible through the generous contributions to the Yiramalay Foundation throughout the year, from individual donors within the Wesley community and beyond, philanthropic foundations, corporate sponsorship and government funding. 

A special thank you to Romy and Georgie and the Friends of Yiramalay, who continued to support our students  through this challenging year, also to Wesley Pride, the parents association at St Kilda Road, who have pledged their ongoing support to the Yiramalay program, this generosity is so heartening.

Our sincere and heartfelt thanks go to all our supporters and donors in this unique year.

We hope you have a skutta Christmas and New Year!