Yiramalay in Melbourne 

Term 1 in Melbourne 

Well, wouldn’t you know it? The moment our five Yiramalay students arrived in Melbourne for the start of the year the weather turned rotten. Two days before, it had been 400, but when they got off the plane it was only 150. ‘Kym man, it’s freezing here’ was to become a common morning greeting. But the two returning students, Jason and Banjo, and the three new-to-Melbourne girls, Tonheya, Tanika and Abby, proved they are a tough bunch. The very next day they were attending orientation sessions and they haven’t missed a beat since. Every morning (no matter how cold) they get up, put on their uniforms and join the other boarders in the dining room for breakfast before heading off to their classes. Outstanding! 

Some highlights so far: Banjo was elected his residence’s Captain by popular vote, Jason won the tidiest room award from the Head of LiR, Tanika passed her first maths test with flying colours, Tonheya submitted all her homework assignments on time, and Abby moved out of her comfort zone and started individual drumming lessons. I could go on. It’s not easy living so far from family and friends while doing all the work (and homework) that the Senior School teachers dish out, but they did it every day. These kids have been inspiring. 

Kym Adams, Induction Coordinator and Teacher 

Melbourne reflection 

This is my first year here, I am currently 15 years old and in Year 10 and have already spent a term at Wesley College and living at Learning in Residence. 

Home for me is Kununurra, a small town in the East Kimberley of Western Australia. I call this place my home because for most of my childhood I grew up there, camping, hunting, and fishing. 

The things I love about Wesley College so far are the people, when I first came to this school it was quite frightening, but luckily the kind and accepting people here, made me feel like I was at home. Another thing that I love about the College would be the opportunities that are available to me. At my old school opportunities in many genres were quite limited, but coming to Wesley has definitely given me new hobbies and interest that I like a lot. Most of my help comes from either my Yiramalay teachers who support me and want the best from me, also some of the programs that LiR provided have had a huge impact. 

Abby Gore-Birch Gault, Year 10 

Firestarter 

Recently, the Friends of Yiramalay organised a fundraising film night to support Yiramalay students and alumni. The film was a documentary Firestarter – The Story of Bangarra, it was a story of pride, heartbreak, adversity, and empowerment, and is told through the eyes of its artistic director, Stephen Page. It was, as always, with events organised by founding members Romy Moshinsky and Georgie Raik-Allen a sell-out. 

Friends of Yiramalay is a group that includes parents, Old Wesley Collegians, supporters of Indigenous education and others who are interested in engaging with and learning more about the Yiramalay/ Wesley Studio School, and the experiences and development of its students. Members are given opportunities to attend special fundraising events and tours while others become involved, offering their own professional services such as film editing, writing and introductions to philanthropic networks. 

This very important support Yiramalay receives from the Wesley community speaks volumes of the impact the program has made in Melbourne. Yiramalay is now embedded into the fabric of the Wesley community, not as another program offered to Wesley students, but as a way to build understanding and create real friendships and move forward with reconciliation with our First Nations people . 

If you would like to join Friends of Yiramalay please email us on friendsofyiramalay@yiramalay.net 

Dawn Anderson, Foundation Support Officer