Members of the next generation of Indigenous leaders came together for The Gathering in Brisbane 9-12 September to celebrate their achievements as part of the Indigenous Youth Leadership Program.
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.
