Opportunity Scholarships have been awarded bi-annually since 2003 as a means of assisting public school students to “pursue their talents and aspirations”. Sums of up to $1000 enable talented individual students, defined as “facing disadvantage” and currently in receipt of an educational allowance, to undertake curriculum-based programs and activities in a range of areas and disciplines (arts, performing arts, maths/sciences, sport, communications, etc). Where Opportunity Scholarships target individual students, Opportunity Grants, initiated and piloted by Education Foundation in 2007, provide funding of up to $4000 to enable schools to address collective programming needs of groups of students.

You can support students in need by donating to FYA online

All schools will receive more detailed information during their week at the City Learning Centre.

Students can register interest by clicking here

The top-ranked applicants were all assessed by a minimum of four different judges.

Congratulations to the below Schools First Seed Funding award winners for 2009 for winning $25,000 each!

Deniliquin North Public School, NSW
Clontarf Aboriginal College, WA
Endeavour Hills Secondary College, VIC
Corinda State High School, QLD
Southport State High School, QLD
Southside Education, QLD
Mount Carmel College, TAS
Warrnambool College, VIC
Wesley College, VIC
Sapphire Coast Anglican College, NSW
Engadine High School, NSW
Croxton Specialist School, VIC
Maroondah Secondary College, VIC
Pinjarra Senior High School, WA
Thuringowa State High School, QLD
Kurunjang Secondary College, VIC
Echuca Specialist School, VIC
Holland Street School, WA
Sunshine Beach State High School, QLD
Lucas Heights Community School, NSW

Click here for more information on the winners!

The Australian Government’s IYLP initiative is helping to close the gap on Indigenous educational disadvantage through scholarships for Indigenous students, mostly from remote and regional areas, to attend high performing secondary schools (day and boarding, government and non-government) and universities.

Funded by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), FYA has delivered IYLP over 2006-2009 with Cape York Institute and Yalari Ltd joining FYA in 2008.

The IYLP is supporting Indigenous students achieve Year 12 attainment and/or completion of a university degree.

Since 2006, 72 secondary students have graduated year 12 as part of the IYLP, another 289 secondary and 49 tertiary students are currently receiving scholarships. To date, the IYLP is enjoying a 90% retention rate, a strong endorsement for the program and its objectives.

The Gathering convened at Rydges Hotel in Brisbane, bringing together over 200 young Indigenous students from across remote, regional, and metropolitan Australia. These students were engaged by a diverse range of expert facilitators, who inspired, mentored and extended students through open discussion, leadership exercises and cultural activities.

Thursday was a professional development day for  educators, academics, parents, youth professionals, policymakers, pre-service teachers, and anyone else wanting to learn more about education outside the classroom.

The conference gave participants  the opportunity to create real connections for change! Read more and see some images here

For more information and handy hints on applying click here or arrange to talk with the team at FYA. We’re offering all applicants the opportunity to speak with a team member over the phone. Whether you’re seeking guidance about the application form or eligibility of your partnership, a conversation with the team at FYA may assist in completing your application. Email fya@schoolsfirst.edu.au to book in a time now.

Over 1000 Australian schools have participated in ruMAD? since its inception in 2001, either through organising MAD Day, by initiating an ruMAD? (Social change) project, by supporting an ruMAD? Student Foundation, or by becoming an ruMAD? student ambassador.

Diverse themes and issues addressed or pursued to date have included Homelessness, Depression, Poverty, Climate Change, Violence and Landmines.

While the framework allows for flexibility in implementing specific projects, an ruMAD? experience typically consists of three sequential phases (Understanding, Action and Celebration) and is generally facilitated/delivered over two terms.

237 schools in five Australian states took part in ruMAD? activities in 2008. The Australian Youth Research Centre (AYRC) evaluation examines the impact and delivery of the program during this period.

“The kids believe it gives them an idea of what the future looks like. That’s a major plus… [Both] teachers and kids believe they are making a difference” -  [Teacher, Loganlea State High School].

Read the full AYRC report here

Find out more about ruMAD? here

After months of searching, the Foundation for Young Australians (FYA) has selected fourteen young people for its inaugural Young Social Pioneers program. Based on the International Youth Foundation’s global initiative, the program aims to support and celebrate the role of young people creating positive change in their communities.

Adam Smith, CEO of FYA said, “Young Social Pioneers is about empowering socially conscious young people, who create positive change in their communities, to become successful leaders. The program offers them ideas, resources and connections that will make their great work have even more impact and sustainability.”

Modelled on the International Youth Foundation’s global initiative, the Young Social Pioneers program will provide more localised content and enable the participants to learn more about specialised areas in relation to the Australian landscape.

A previous participant in the global initiative, Richard Lenn, founder of YouthGAS said “Being a Young Social Pioneer enables you to make connections with other like-minded young people, who are trying to do things that have never been done before or trying to create opportunities that address difficult social challenges.”

The fourteen Young Social Pioneers for 2009 are:

• Alissa Phillips, QLD – founder of s.p.a.c.e or ‘specialised programs and community endeavours’

• Catherine Sweeny, VIC – founder of Jungle City Massive a dance initiative for culturally diverse young people in the Western suburbs of Melbourne

• Darren Lomman, WA – founder of Dreamfit Foundation which helps people with disabilities fulfil their dreams and to raise disability awareness

• Edwin Kemp Attrill, SA – founder of ActNow Theatre for Social Change (ANTSC)

• Jack Hegarty, VIC – involved with the Whatever Youth Diversity Project and the OUTthere Rural Victorian Youth Council for Sexual Diversity

• Kat Etwell, VIC – involved in the OUTthere Rural Victorian Youth Council for Sexual Diversity

• Larissa Brown, VIC – 2008 Australian Young Environmentalist of the year and founder of the Centre for Sustainability Leadership

• Laura Iles, QLD – founder of Choose your Path (Save a Life) which educates her community about the dangers and consequences of drink driving

• Lucinda Hartley, VIC – founder of Design Leadership Project (DLP), a training program regarding environmentally responsible design and social change

• Mark Robertson, NSW – founder of One Vision Productions, an initiative that educates youth in isolated and marginalised communities through arts based multi-literacy programs

• Roxanne Moore, WA – founder of ARTillery, a social awareness project aimed at educating young Australians about human rights

• Sarah Williams, VIC – co-founder of Footprints Enterprises and the Grounded Project, a creative arts program for students primarily from refugee backgrounds

• Shona Cools, NSW – founder of Linkz Incorporated, an organisation that aims to establish connections between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians

• Tim Kenworthy, WA – founder of Youth Tree, an initiative to encourage and involve young people to volunteer

In the first week of September, the delegates took part in a week-long retreat in Seymour, Victoria, which featured a series of workshops on communication, skill-building, media training and conflict resolution, as well as a forum to The inaugural YSPers also shared ideas about their projects and organisations. The retreat was just the first step on a year-long program for participants, which will provide capacity building, mentoring, learning and recognition of their work.

Read more about the 2009 Young Social Pioneers here.

For complete biographies or to arrange an interview with any of the Young Social Pioneers, please contact:

Emily Yarwood:

Phone: 03) 9289 9555

Mobile: 0417 301 088

Email: eyarwood@porternovelli.com.au

Tara Oldfield:

Phone: 03) 9289 9555

Mobile: 0431 458 031

Email: toldfield@porternovelli.com.au

To find out more about YSP, visit www.youngsocialpioneers.org.au

To find out more about IYF, visit www.iyfnet.org.au

To read YSP media coverage, visit out Media Centre.