At the end of Term 2, two Year 12 students, Damien and Joyce, and two graduates, Alena and Tonchi travelled with three Yiramalay staff members Alonzo, Dominic and Marilyn, to Canberra with SSA CEO Helen Drennen, Associate Director of IERC, Tanya Davies and SSA’s Corporate Affairs Director Luke Blackbourn to engage in discussions with key political leaders about the future of Indigenous education. The group were also privileged to hear June Oscar, SSA Board member, give the Press Club Lunch address as part of her Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Human Rights Commissioner role. While in Canberra, and during an overnight stay in Melbourne on the way home, the group connected with former staff members and took in some of the unique sights and opportunities that both big city locations afford.
As a regular visitor to the Kimberley, Senator Glenn Sterle is familiar with the Fitzroy Crossing community and Bunuba country, where Yiramalay Studio School and Manjali, our new Middle Years school are located. Glenn even has the Fitzroy Valley Cook Book in his Parliament House office,
Our visitors were quick to grab hold of the book, which features many familiar faces including Alonzo who was with the group. Glenn also shared some of his favourite bush recipes with us. The artwork on the wall, by Worrorra man Gordon Barunga was another piece of the Kimberley in Canberra.
“Yiramalay Studio School near Fitzroy Crossing uses a style of education whereby First Nations students are taught on-country with a strong focus on local culture and language. Great to have some of the students, staff and recent graduates of Yiramalay in Parliament House today.” - Madeleine King MP
“The Studio Schools model is embedded in Indigenous culture and language, with a framework balancing academic, personal and industry/enterprise learning, in the unique cultural context of each Studio School. Thank you to the staff at Studio School Alonzo, Marilyn, Dom, Alena, Tonchi, Helen, Tanya and Luke for accompanying some amazing students from Western Australia to Canberra. Joyce and Damien I hope you enjoyed the visit to Parliament House and I wish you every success after graduation!” - Senator Sue Lines
