Graduates represent a brighter future

Graduates Caitlin Eadie (left) and Kellie McDonald, both from Alexandra Hills State High School Photo: Jo-anne Driessens

The first successes have emerged from the QATSIF scholarship program – 166 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who have finished year 12 at secondary schools from Cairns to Logan.

QATSIF – the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation – supports young people’s desire to complete their Queensland Certificate of Education studies.

Kellie McDonald, from Alexandra Hills State High School, said she felt privileged to be in the first cohort.

“(We) are part of an enlightened future, the flag bearers for a better Australia,” she said. “We are the students, who have been the fortunate recipients of QATSIF scholarships and we are now leaving school, having completed grade 12. We are embarking, confidently and proudly … each on our individual journey. We are leaving school, enriched with skills, and cultural experiences that we will take with us, as we enter into employment or further learning.”

The scholarship funding is drawn from a trust fund created from two sources: $10.8 million from the former Aborigines Welfare Fund and $15 million of unspent funds from the Indigenous Wages and Savings Reparations Scheme. The toil of previous generations of Indigenous Queenslanders is now improving the outlook for the next generations.

QATSIF awards two-year scholarships to students starting year 11, with the goal of increasing Indigenous student retention in years 11 and 12 rather than simply sustain existing retention rates. The first scholarships were awarded in 2009 to students who would complete year 12 this year.

“QATSIF has played a vital role in our successful completion of schooling by … creating opportunities for us in higher education … helping us build a strong foundation for employment, giving us the opportunity for further education, and a richer future,” Kellie said.

“We are keen to lead the way into a better future for all Indigenous Australians. Ultimately we aspire to be beacons for Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders, and to be examples, to pilot a new, enlightened future for all Australians.”

QATSIF honoured Kellie and the other Brisbane-based graduates with a graduation breakfast at the Queensland State Library’s Talking Circle on 13 October.

At the breakfast, Kellie spoke on behalf of the government school graduates. Nathan Corporal, from Southside Christian College, spoke on behalf of the independent schools sector and Chantelle Groth represented the Catholic sector.

“I realise that all QATSIF recipients are very lucky to be here today,” Kellie said. “So I’d like to give a thought to those Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who are not as fortunate as we are. Senior education is a resource which cannot be easily accessed by many remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait people who suffer from the destruction of the old ways and who have little access to the new ways.”

QATSIF scholarships can be used for anything that supports a student’s education – school fees, books, camps and excursions, for example. They can be up to $5000 per student.

Schools apply for the funding and then award scholarships to individual students.

The third and latest round of QATSIF scholarships, announced earlier this year, will support 680 students in 82 schools in 2012 and 2013 and is valued at $1.7 million.

For further information, visit: http://www.qatsif.org.au/