Last Monday, 5th September St Philip's College Follow The Dream students flew to Sydney for the annual Follow the Dream Leadership excursion. Students from Year 9-12 were selected to attend based on their excellent attendance, participation, and leadership in the Follow the Dream program.

The leadership excursion gives students the opportunity to explore career, study pathways, and meet inspirational First Nations people to help boost student's goals and aspirations. On the excursion students also learnt about First Nations history and culture. They also participated in several STEM and creative learning activities as well as essential life skills including budgeting, public speaking, living away from home and navigating a big city.

On day 1 students visited the University of Sydney where they went on a tour of the campus with Indigenous student ambassadors from the uni. While at the University of Sydney they met Adam Goodes who spent talking to students and answering questions about his life, goals, family, footy, culture and leadership. Adam Goodes stayed and ate lunch with students, getting to know them and learning about their goals. Later that day students visited the Sofitel Hotel to learn about careers in hotel services and hospitality. That night students watched the Sydney Swans AFLW train at Moore Park and then went to the new Allianz stadium to watch the Australian Matildas play Canada. At the game students were invited by Football Australia to do a lap of honour as well as play a game on the field during half time in front of a crowd of 27,000. Rowena Coulthard and Elly Green were selected as mascots to run on with the Australian team at the start of the game for the Welcome to Country and national anthems!

On day 2, students visited the Sydney Opera House for the Indigenous Literacy Day live event. At the event, students watched a live performance by special guests and ILF ambassadors Jessica Mauboy, Justine Clarke and Josh Pike. Students met Indigenous authors and other ILF ambassadors at the event. However, students were truly star struck by Jessica Mauboy taking lots of photos and asking questions. So impressed with the students, Jessica invited them to attend her sold out performance in Manly later that week! Afterwards, students visited UTS Jumbanna Centre and had lunch with former SPC and Jumbanna student Declan. While at UTS students used some of the uni’s new Virtual Reality technology. Students then visited TAFE NSW Eora Centre to explore vocational education courses and the supports on offer to First Nations students. That afternoon students visited Redfern to learn about its historical and cultural importance in modern Australia. Students were welcomed at the Redfern Community Centre by staff and community members and interacted with local First Nations young people from Redfern. That night students were welcomed at BUSH restaurant for dinner and learnt about their use of native ingredients and careers in hospitality.

On day 3 students visited UNSW for a campus tour and learn about course selection, accommodation services and First Nations student services available. Students were also able to get creative at the University's Make a Space using laser cutters and 3D printers.

Students celebrated R U OK day with a Special guest talk from R U OK day ambassador Quinton Vea Vea. Students also shared their ideas on how to support each other, family and community. After lunch students visited NIDA for a dramatic arts workshop from NIDA staff and learn about the course available there. Staff rewarded students with a NIDA hoodie and t-shirt for their participation. That afternoon students went to Centennial Park for a cultural and park tour. Students learnt about the traditional custodians of the area, the Gadigal and Bidjigal people.

On our last day students visited Dentons law firm and met principal partner Campbell. They heard from a recent law graduate and Jumbunna UTS student about her education and career journey. Later that morning students spent some time shopping at Pitt Street Mall, visited the very impressive Australian Museum where they caught up with Adam Goodes and Dan Sultan! Later students visited the Sea Life aquarium. That night students went to Chinatown markets to try out some Chinese street food and then travelled by ferry to Manly to see Jessica Mauboy live. Students sang and danced all night!

2022 Dally M and St George Illawarra Dragons captain, Ben Hunt was also very excited to meet the students and wished students well for their return home.

FTD students, you were exceptional ambassadors for the Polly Farmer Foundation, and certainly did St Philip's College, your families, and communities proud!

A huge thank you to Chloe McCarthy for her amazing support and assistance on the trip. A special thank you to William Phelps and the SPC FTD staff for keeping the program running while we were away. And lastly, thank you to Rene Taylor and the staff that helped support us on our trip!

Planning for next year's Leadership excursion has already begun and I would like to encourage all Aboriginal students at SPC to join FTD to ensure their selection on next year's trip.

The St Philips College Follow the Dream is proudly funded by the Mazda Foundation and Commonwealth Government's National Indigenous Australians Agency.

~ Hamish McLoughlin

Program Coordinator GPFF

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