Northern Bay College Newsletter

First Nations Pathways

March 2023

FIRST NATIONS PATHWAY REPORT

On Friday, 24 February, the college held a Pathways Session for our First Nations students in Years 7 - 12 in the Goldsworthy campus library.  The students were joined by honoured guests: Aunty May Owen, Chairperson of the Local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group; Ilona Sliwa, Koorie Education Coordinator for the Department of Education; and Koorie Education Support Officers (KESOs): Richard Fry, Sarah Upton and Shantelle Lucas-Baillie. 

 

Four guest speakers presented to the group.  

  • Desirae Kilduff, the Victorian Koorie Student of Year 2022 and Maxima’s Indigenous Employment Program Manager for SA / Vic & Tas, Webexed in to talk about her journey and TAFE qualifications.  She also spoke about what Maxima can offer First Nations students and school leavers in the way of Student based Apprenticeships/Traineeships or full time Apprenticeships/Traineeships.  
  • Next, Joz Hazelton, an Employment Mentor from Worn Gundidj, spoke of his journey and trouble at school which led him to leave early by transitioning into a full time apprenticeship with his local Aboriginal landcare organisation.  Joz also spoke of the support he is able to offer students and their families through his current role.  He was happy to answer questions and engrossed the audience as he spoke.  
  • Two Koorie Student Support Officers from the Gordon, Tiff Boots and Ethan Liddle, followed to speak about the support available to First Nations students at the Gordon.  They also spoke about some of the specific courses run for Indigenous Australians.  
  • Northern Bay P - 12 College Careers Manager and Practitioner, Jo Parcell, rounded out the session with a great activity.  She challenged the group to name jobs or careers for every letter of the alphabet. The students and adults in the room had a great time working together to complete the entire alphabet!  Some of the responses warranted huge applause from the participants.  Such as when Uncle Richard said “Koorie Liaison” for a career starting with ‘K’! The wonderful engagement and behaviour of the students was commended at the close of the session