Welcome to our Pathways review of 2023.  We would like to congratulate every student on another year in Melbourne and celebrate a year of growth and preparation for their future. 

MITS Seniors were working solidly up until the final days of the term, with many completing exams and Headstart preparation for 2024’s classes – they are definitely ready to see family and friends and get back on-Country. 

The Pathways team are privileged to share the journey of senior students, in collaboration with Pathways Schools and students’ families - supporting them with work experience, career appointments, white card training, cultural events, and school celebrations. Over the last 12 months we have made many connections to support career pathways in Victoria, Queensland, WA, and at home in the NT.

The lyrics of “I’ve Been Everywhere” (with a slight tweak) by Johny Cash describe our travel in 2023.

We've been everywhere, man 

We’ve been everywhere, man

Crossed the deserts bare, man 

We've breathed the mountain air, man 

Of travel we've had our share, man 

We've been everywhere! 

We’ve been to You Yangs, Serendip, Penguin Place - what a trip 

Healesville, Coranderrk, Jilkminggan and Kinglake 

Bulman, Barunga, Tiwi, Ngukurr,

Zenith, Coles, and Footscray 

Simbuilt, Royal Womens, Holmesglen in Moorabbin 

St Vincent’s, Fancy Films, to the Vets, and Jetstar

Centrelink, Marshmead, Decjuba, Killara  

We’ve been everywhere!

Year 12 Graduates

Ten MITS Seniors celebrated completion of Year 12 in 2023, with some well on their way to the world of work, training and further study. 

Four Tiwi students completed Year 12 this year in Melbourne - Jenae Tipiloura and Jodie Palipuaminni from Firbank Grammar School and Kaleb Brogan-Rioli and Calvin Cook of Brighton Grammar School.  Calvin, Jodie and Kaleb have begun an Electrical Apprenticeship at Appselec in Melbourne, while Jenae has returned to the Top End and has commenced a Hospitality Certificate at the Darwin Airport Development Group Indigenous Training Academy. A special mention to Jodie who went on to win the premiership and best-on-ground in the inaugural Tiwi Islands Grand Final just a few days after leaving Melbourne - read the ABC article here!

Timikar Nabulwad Johnson completed Year 12 at Siena College and is hoping to work at Injalak Arts or Outstation Ranger work, and Lilly Oliphant (also from Siena College) is keen to work in the Childcare or Ranger space. These are both great options and we wish the girls well.  

Year 12 students elsewhere were Tarkyn Rosas from Katherine, Kayden Harrison from Bairnsdale, Elaine Koimala-Brown from Gunbalanya and Gigi Burarrawanga-Wilson from Darwin (completed Music Industry College in Brisbane).  

Valedictory Dinners for Firbank and Brighton Grammar students

Four proud families flew down from Tiwi to attend Brighton Grammar and Firbank Year 12 celebrations. Calvin and Kaleb’s families attended Brighton Grammar Year 12 Assembly at school, then the Valedictory Dinner at the MCC. Jodie and Jenae’s families attended the Firbank Valedictory Dinner at the Glasshouse.

Work Experience  - Rumarlea

Rumarlea spent an exciting day at Healesville Sanctuary, and two days at Kinglake National Park.

At Healesville Rumarlea spent time with the Education Team learning about their education programs, and how each role within the organisation contributes to conservation. Rumarlea had the opportunity to go behind the scenes and work with Zoo staff preparing food for animals, learn about their dietary needs and enrichment programs that provide physically and mentally stimulating toys, activities and environments. She also got up close with the Kangaroos, Wallabies, Long nosed potoroo, and the Pelicans! Rumarlea spent the last part of the day with education team teacher Lisa Hodgson a wonderful Noongar Yorga woman from southwest Australia discussing animals and attractions at the sanctuary through an Aboriginal lens.

At Kinglake National Forest, Park Ranger Kim Hunter, sister of Uncle Colin Hunter, introduced Rumarlea to the diverse role of a Ranger - inspecting campgrounds and facilities, liasing with park visitors, and managing the park’s resources.  Kim is a Kinglake local with a unique connection to the area and shared stories of the Black Saturday fires of 2009 on the community and wildlife in the park. Kim’s special treat was introducing Rumarlea to an orphaned Wallaby. Kim’s passion is caring for orphaned native animals and birds, and if you’re near Kinglake call in to the Parks Victoria office as she may have a cute wee friend with her.

A big thank you to the teams at Parks Victoria, and Zoos Victoria for making this opportunity possible, it has affirmed Rumarlea’s desire to work with animals!

Work Experience  - Sam

Sam Warrior was again hosted by Simon and Danielle, owners of Simbuilt Construction Group.  Sam was able to work on two projects – United Co, a shared workspace at 425 Smith Street, and returned to the Malthouse in Melbourne’s Arts precinct where he had undertaken work experience in 2022.  Opportunities like this support Sam’s VCE vocational major of Construction allowing him to put into practice the skills he gains from his Trades course.

Thank you Simon and Danielle, and the team at Simbuilt for hosting Sam.

Finally, Sam built this beautiful hardwood table as part of his Certificate II Furniture Making Pathways course at Parade College, and sold it for a tidy sum!

School Camp – living away from MLC and MITS Boarding House for Term 4

Keira spent Term 4 at Marshmead, in far East Gippsland, at MLC’s residential camp. She absolutely loved it and discovered leadership and resilience skills that she didn’t know she had and is doing the Duke of Edinburgh award as well!

Coles supermarket visit

In October MITS Seniors spent a really informative and interesting day at Coles Head Office in Hawthorn, and learnt about the breadth of roles at Coles.

Students watched an Earth Wisdom short film and its maker, Gunai man Uncle Wayne Thorpe spoke to the MITS Seniors afterwards. 

We had a Masterchef guest in the kitchen, who did some native food tastings, had a delicious lunch and listened to storytelling from various Indigenous Coles staff about their varied pathways to work (perfect for students to hear) - a huge showbag of goodies for everyone finished the day. Students were terrific, and there was excited and motivated feedback from everyone.

Thanks to Marty Taylor from Coles for supporting many of our students into onboarding, ready for part-time employment in Richmond and Brighton in 2024.

MITS Family Newsletter 2023

Respect, Courage, Culture & Care

December · 20 Dec 2023

In this issue