Toowoomba’s inspiring Indigenous scholarship graduates with big dreams
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students across the Darling Downs have opened up on their culture, future aspirations and how a life-changing scholarship helped them graduate high school.
Education
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More than 65 students from across the Darling Downs have been celebrated for their high school accomplishments.
The 2023 cohort who received a Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation (QATSIF) scholarship graduated from the program on August 4.
The QATSIF program has been operating since 2010 and has supported more than 16,000 Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander students in high schools across the state.
Designed to increase retention rates for students in Years 11 and 12, the funding supports educational costs over the course of their final two years at school.
The Chronicle sat down with a group of the inspiring students who opened up about their culture, future aspirations and the obstacles they have overcome along the way.
Beau Robinson
Selflessness and making sacrifices are two skills Beau Robinson learned after growing up in a family of seven, while all five kids attended high school at the same time.
The 17-year-old who is set to graduate from Centenary Heights State High School in November, comes from the Murruwarri, Komma and Kulali nations.
With plans to leave school and start studying at TAFE, Beau’s eyes were opened to new opportunities and pathways when he received a QATSIF scholarship.
“I’m sort of shocked that I am graduating because that wasn’t the plan when I first enrolled in high school but now I’m excited to see what’s out there for me,” he said.
“(The scholarship) really was life-changing because it helped me get the ATAR I needed and pay for things like school uniforms or laptops, which is pretty hard when you come from a big family and have five kids in high school at once.
“These scholarships encourage young people to keep showing up and doing their best at school because it means they’re not missing out and it’s an even playing field.”
Currently studying a Certificate III in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education at TAFE, Beau hopes to progress to a diploma and then a bachelor of primary school education.
While he initially wanted to become a teacher, the young Indigenous man said he has a new plan – to study sport and leadership and work for the Gold Coast Suns AFL team.
“I would love to work in the development area by helping players and teams to achieve their dreams,” Beau said.
“My Indigenous heritage and culture is who I am – it’s taught me a lot about how to deal with society, with victories and with defeats and made me realise I can do anything, especially in the outback and I’m really proud of that.”
The QATSIF recipient said his advice for younger students was to focus on finishing year 12 and achieving their goals because it was “really important for later on in life”.
To celebrate the completion of the scholarship program, Beau said he would celebrate with family, friends and the people who assisted him along his schooling journey.
Jacob Lasserre
Kamilaroi man Jacob Lasserre, who has lived in Toowoomba for his entire life, has taken full advantage of his QATSIF scholarship, after he decided to participate in many of the program’s extra initiatives.
This included writing and submitting a short story and poem, related to the themes of either NAIDOC or Reconciliation Week, in the program’s creative writing competitions.
Awarded first place for both entries, the St Mary’s College student received a trophy for his efforts and later read his poem to the crowd at the QATSIF graduation ceremony.
“My poem was about a girl who listened to her grandpa telling a story about the importance of looking out for others when they’re too weak to look after themselves,” he said.
“When her grandpa passes away, he hands down the responsibility to his granddaughter to take care of the elders like her grandpa took care of her.”
In addition to the financial benefits of the scholarship, Jacob said the community and connections formed through the program had made a significant impact on his life.
“If I was ever struggling I found it difficult to find other kids to talk to about my frustrations and challenges in Toowoomba,” he said.
“Progression has definitely been made but I still found it difficult growing up as an Indigenous person in a white-person society and I found I was often judged for ‘not being black enough’.
“This scholarship has created a support network with students who understand where I’m coming from or have been through a similar experience so it’s almost like a safety net or a second family in a way.”
Inspired by the St Mary’s College First Nations co-ordinator, Jacob said he wanted to continue the tradition of making a real difference in schools.
“She has been a real standout support person throughout my senior schooling journey and has helped me both with school work and multiculturalism,” he said.
“It’s made me want to become a high school teacher so I can serve as a role model for the youth of tomorrow.”
Jacob who intends to move to Brisbane next year and study at The University of Queensland or the Australian Catholic University, said he hopes to one day further enhance acceptance of Indigenous students in schools.
Jasmine Steer
Gratitude is always something Jasmine Steer has expressed whether it be for her parents, ancestors or mentors for encouraging her to reach for the stars.
The Glennie School boarding student from Charleville was awarded a QATSIF scholarship in year 11 and 12.
While Jasmine said her parents worked very hard to provide her with a quality education, the scholarship program helped cover the costs of her school senior jersey and graduation ticket, among other things.
The proud Bidjara woman opened up about her own heartbreaking experience of being judged and targeted for her heritage and race.
“It’s an issue that still affects our people to this day,” Jasmine said.
“I love being Indigenous and learning more about my heritage and culture which has increased my understanding of the phrase ‘always was, always will be’ which to me is all about respect.
“Getting to hear about my grandfather and his life by connecting with my elders, is something I will always cherish because I never had the chance to meet him and I hope to pass that down to my own children.”
Currently working as a personal training, Jasmine has always had a desire to help others and hopes to continue by becoming a paramedic.
With plans to study paramedicine at the University of Southern Queensland, the Toowoomba student has also applied for the Queensland Ambulance Service’s Indigenous Paramedic Program.
“I realised how much I loved helping people achieve their goals through personal training and will strive to help others in a different way through paramedicine,” she said.
Set to turn 18 this month, Jasmine said she plans to celebrate her QATSIF graduation with a night on the town or with family when she next heads home to Charleville.
Kiara McMahon
Dedication, hard work and staying connected to their culture runs in the McMahon family with Kiara being the third and last of her sisters to receive the QATSIF scholarship.
The St Saviour’s College senior said the experience was made all the more special by sharing it with her two older sisters.
“It has really helped as we come from a parent family so our mum pays for all of our school on her own,” Kiara said.
“The program really helps to connect us back to our culture by offering a supportive community of other Indigenous students.”
Asked to MC the QATSIF graduation proceedings, the proud Mandandanji and Kamilaroi woman was responsible for introducing the inspiring guest speakers to the audience on the day.
Despite being one of only three Indigenous girls in her class, Kiara said her school offered a supportive environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
“Coming from such a small school where there isn’t a big community, it’s been so inspiring to connect with Indigenous students in younger grades and being a college captain who is Indigenous too,” she said.
“For my school graduation the Toowoomba Catholic Schools’ office provides all Indigenous students with a special sash and I feel that really represents who I am and my identity.
“Hearing about their (the graduation guest speakers) stories and culture was really empowering as it showed me I can lead the life I want to live.”
The 17-year-old hopes to study a degree in criminology and obtain a diploma in interior design at a Brisbane-based university.
Despite initially leaning towards architecture, Kiara said she discovered her true passion for design was the layout and interior of a building, rather than what’s on the outside.
She said her advice for younger Indigenous students was to take up every opportunity which connected them with their identity and culture.
Maxine Woodhams
The future looks bright and full of opportunities for Maxine Woodhams who is heading down the track of becoming a professional racing jockey.
After growing up around horses for her entire childhood, the 17-year-old said nothing felt more freeing than when she was riding horses or competing in show jumping.
Keen to follow in the footsteps of her dad who was a former jockey himself, Maxine said she planned to start working as a jockey apprentice after high school.
“I would start off as a stable hand and strapping horses, but that would eventually lead to track work and then riding in races,” she said.
“Horses have always been a big part of my life and you end up forming a really special connection with your horse – one you can’t form with other people … riding is a whole different experience to living.”
The Laidley State High School student who comes from the Wiradjuri nation in Central NSW, said she was grateful for the opportunities she received as part of the QATSIF program.
After her parents separated, the scholarship recipient said her family struggled to survive on a single income.
“To be completely honest, if it wasn’t for the scholarship I don’t think I would have made it to year 12, so it was life-changing,” Maxine said.
“It’s painful and it’s a real struggle getting through high school but it’s definitely worth pushing yourself to get there.
“I believe it’s our right as Indigenous Australians to receive these opportunities and I’m honoured I get to part of Australia’s most important culture.”
Maxine said to commemorate her graduation from the scholarship program, she had a small celebration with her family.
Rashae King
When she’s not working hard at school to pursue the career of her choice, you will likely find Rashae King on the footy field playing prop.
The big Melbourne Storm fan has been playing rugby league since the age of 11 and now plays for the Southern Suburbs Tigers and the Western Clydesdales.
Originally from Thursday Island and part of the Meriam and Kulkalgal nations, Rashae moved to Toowoomba last year and currently boards at The Glennie School.
“Back home footy is a huge part of our culture and we all grow up surrounded by it,” she said.
“I moved to Toowoomba for more opportunities and playing down South has really helped me to pursue more opportunities in rugby league.”
The 17-year-old first received the QATSIF scholarship when she was enrolled at Tagai State College.
Assisting her parents with private school fees, Rashae’s scholarship was worth a total of $2000, with $500 divided up per semester over the course of her final two schooling years.
“It was a huge weight lifted off my parent’s shoulders,” she said.
“Where I come from kids don’t usually get these opportunities which makes it harder for young people to strive further.
“My mum and dad have been amazing but it didn’t just take them to get me this far – my entire family and culture have really pushed me forward and out of my comfort zone.”
When she graduated from the scholarship program this month, Rashae said her family live-streamed the ceremony from their home on Thursday Island.
“I felt like I did mum, dad and my whole family back home proud and it’s nice to know I’ve already accomplished so much,” Rashae said.
“We will celebrate when I head back home next … I think my family are excited to see me but more so excited to see what the award looks like.”
With only a few months to go until the high school senior graduates, Rashae said she planned to relocate to Brisbane next year to commence a mechanical fitter apprenticeship, before eventually working in the mines.
“Growing up around my brothers who have all gone into the mining industry, really perked my interest to follow in their footsteps,” Rashae said.
“I would love to drive trucks in the mines but would happy doing anything except sitting at a desk all day.”
Rashae also hopes to continue playing footy and would even consider professional sporting opportunities.
Tyler Manttan
While most high school students count down the days until they graduate, every single day has been a blessing for Laidley’s Tyler Manttan.
After moving out of home, Tyler has been living independently since the age of 16 but when financial pressures began to mount for the Laidley State High School student she worried she may have to drop out entirely.
Determined to finish Year 12, the proud Indigenous woman applied for and was granted a Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation scholarship.
“You see a lot of Indigenous students who give up on their education because they don’t get equal opportunities due to money stressors, so these scholarships are encouraging and helping them to stay at school,” Tyler said.
“I was struggling mentally and with school because I was just constantly worrying about how I would afford school supplies, uniforms and all those extra costs, so I became fearful I wouldn’t finish Year 12.”
Now aged 17 and after graduating from the QATSIF program this month, Tyler said the scholarship offered huge relief and allowed her to focus on finishing high school.
She said while she did not know much about her family heritage, it had not stopped her from celebrating her culture and she was even selected as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island captain at her school this year.
“I feel so honoured to be in a position where I can lead our younger ones,” Tyler said.
“My grandparents have passed away so I don’t know much about where we came from, but I would like to think I’m making them proud and will go on to do great things in their honour.”
Next year Tyler plans to complete a Certificate III or IV in real estate, obtain a licence and become an agent.
Deterred from the idea of sitting behind a desk for a nine to five, she said she has always been passionate about properties and sales and would love a career which allows her to travel.
The QATSIF program has been operating since 2010 and has supported more than 16,000 Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander students in high schools across the state.
Designed to increase retention rates for students in years 11 and 12, the funding supports individuals with educational costs over the course of their final two years at school.
Yuluwirri Wightman
From a young age Yuluwirri Wightman, 17, set himself three goals – to graduate from high school, stay on the straight and narrow and work hard in a job which provided him with financial stability.
The Wilsonton State High School student is just months away from achieving the first two objectives and well on his way to securing the third.
After receiving a Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation (QATSIF) scholarship, Yuluwirri said it took a lot of stress off of him and his parents.
“(This scholarship is crucial) because our people worked hard for years and were paid with just a bag of sugar, so it makes sense to find a way to get those wages back when we’re on the path to reconciliation,” he said.
“My great grandmother was part of the stolen generation so that had a real ripple effect on my grandmother and my dad who had a really hard life, didn’t get to graduate high school, dropped out in Year 9 and found himself surrounded by the wrong people and bad crowds.”
The proud Kamilaroi man said the Aboriginal culture was beautiful and society could learn a lot from it.
“It’s a culture that’s been around for tens of thousands of years,” he said.
“Indigenous people were Australia’s first ever farmers, builders and agriculture workers so that’s pretty impressive.”
Throughout the past two years, the high school graduate has discovered his passion for vehicles and hopes to gain a trade in diesel mechanics, which he hopes will assist him in gaining employment in the mining industry.
“I enjoy mucking around with cars and I’ve applied for an apprenticeship with Hastings,” Yuluwirri said.
“Any type of trade that takes me to the mines would make me happy, because I want to have a stable, steady job where I’m earning enough to support myself financially.”
The hard working student also hopes to save enough money to one day secure his favourite car models – a Ford Falcon or Toyota Hilux.
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