First Nations Report 

Nallei Jerring Session - Western Bulldogs Football Club

Last week, some of our First Nations students travelled to Whitten Oval to spend the day at the home of the Western Bulldogs Football Club. This marked the official kick-off of our Nallei Jerring Leadership Program.

The program includes six sessions facilitated by Indigenous leaders within the club and is designed to provide students with a rich cultural and educational experience. It offers an incredible opportunity for our students to connect with culture, build leadership skills, and be inspired by strong First Nations role models.

We were warmly welcomed to the program with an incredible didgeridoo session led by PK (Paul Kelly), who has travelled the world sharing his music and even featured in the iconic Solid Rock music clip. His insight, cultural knowledge, powerful storytelling, and fabulous sense of humour made for an unforgettable experience for our students.

After a good feed and a yarn—plus the bonus of watching the Western Bulldogs train—we took part in a mapping activity that highlighted the many different mobs across Australia, as well as celebrated prominent First Nations individuals from those regions. It was a truly engaging and educational day that brought culture and connection to the forefront.

We all had a fantastic time and can’t wait for our next session, which will be held in a few weeks at the Ballarat Wildlife Park.

A big thank you to the students who signed up and participated: Satina Keech, Joel Swire, Gary (Charlie) Watling, Mitchel Swales, Holly Bath, and Zaura-Jean Finley.

Deadly As Day - Federation University 

Our annual Deadly As Day was also held this week at Federation University, and we were very fortunate to be part of it. The day kicked off with an energetic and powerful session from IHOP, an Indigenous Hip-Hop motivational crew. They had everyone up and dancing—shame-free—and it was the perfect way to warm up on a cold Ballarat morning!

IHOP travels across Australia, mainly visiting schools, to inspire and motivate students to stay engaged in their education, show respect, and take pride in who they are. Their core message resonated strongly: while we may face hard times, we are responsible for how we come through them—and that strength and pride in culture are powerful tools in that journey.

Alongside this empowering message, the crew also shared their incredible dance skills, blending traditional movement with hip hop in a way that was both modern and deeply cultural. It was a truly inspiring start to an amazing day.

The rest of the day was filled with engaging and meaningful activities that continued to celebrate and empower our First Nations students. One of the highlights was the celebration of all the current Year 12 students from across our region, who were acknowledged with certificates recognising their achievements and dedication. This is particular exciting for Woodmans Hill Secondary College as in 2026 we will possibly have a good handful of Year 12 students.

Students also took part in an “Amazing Race” around the Federation College campus, which encouraged teamwork and fun while exploring the grounds. Cultural art workshops with a local artist provided a creative outlet and connection to culture, giving students the opportunity to express themselves through traditional and contemporary art practices.

The day also featured a Careers Expo, where students had the chance to walk around and chat with representatives from universities, TAFE campuses, local companies, and workplaces. The focus was on pathways and opportunities specifically designed to support First Nations students during and after their schooling.

This day is always a great experience and gains students and teachers with a wealth of knowledge and networks. But importantly its so nice to see students from all different schools around Ballarat become friends and hang out together and have fun. A big thank you to Kara Rysava our Careers Leader who also joined me on this excursion. Below is student Takiyah Bambridge Wandin enjoying some HIP HOP.