Success stories
The following stories provide information about past participants of the program and what they have gone on to accomplish.
Joel Khalu—Director, Hoops Dreaming Project: Cairns
Joel is Director of the Hoops Dreaming Project which is a joint partnership with the Cairns Basketball Association, funded from the National Community Crime-Prevention program. The Hoops Dreaming Project provides Indigenous Youth aged 12 to 18 with the skills and knowledge to assist young people to become successful in different aspects of life including, education, employment outlook and health.
Sione Fa’aoso—Freelance Entrepreneur/ Volunteer: Cairns
Sione undertakes freelance work and volunteers to support a number of initiatives in his community. He has obtained state government funding to coordinate Shape Your D.R.E.A.M.S, a project which focuses on education and encourages children, youth and young parents to take responsibility for their actions and to understand that having a positive attitude, being motivated and having high-self-esteem is important to achieving life goals.
Peter Nathan—Oxfam International Employee and United Nations Forum Special Guest: Melbourne
Peter is from Mornington Island and was successful in obtaining a position working for Oxfam International. In 2008, Peter attended the Diplomacy Training Program coordinated by the University of Newcastle and Oxfam. From this, Peter was selected to travel to New York and attend the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous issues. He is currently based in Melbourne for his work with Oxfam.
Katina Leedie and Nigel Daisy—youth leaders and mentors: South Burnett Region
Katina and Nigel have joined together with another young person to start the Moo’roo Moo’roo Youth Group Project. The program aims to engage and develop young potential Indigenous leaders (13 to 18 years) within the South Burnett Region to inspire current and future generations to embrace responsibility with pride, and to respect themselves, others and the community as a whole. Nigel’s hard work was also recognised when he was nominated and represented Queensland as the Indigenous Trainee of the year nominee for the Nationwide 2011 Group Training Awards.
Hannah Taylor—Community Leader: Brisbane
A participant in 2010 Hannah was invited back to mentor the 2011 participants. Hannah volunteers for Red Frogs Australia, an organisation dedicated to looking after high school leavers at different Schoolies events around the country. She had volunteered as a Hotel Chaplain and as MC on the main stage for nightly entertainment over many years.
Carly Wallace—Radio Announcer: Townsville
Carly volunteered her time at 4k1G Townsville’s Indigenous Radio Service to gain on-the-job skills. After completing the program, Carly returned worked her way into a paid position with 4k1G and became a presenter on the breakfast show which broadcasts from Palm Island to Cairns. She was nominated for a Deadly Award in broadcasting and went on to be the first indigenous graduate from the Australian Film, Television and Radio School.
Allinta Rose—Business Owner: Brisbane
Allinta has established her own business ‘Deadly Solutions’, which provides practical resources for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in the areas of business, employment and coaching. Deadly Solutions is consistently growing with Allinta securing many employment projects in urban, rural and remote communities.
