Thursday 5th April 2012

~ By Kaisha Byrne-Smith, Senior Training Coordinator

On Tuesday, a few students from our Indigenous Remote Service Delivery Traineeship (IRSDT) Program, Shana and I attended a forum on higher education pathways at Sydney's Parliament House.

The purpose of the forum was to hear from students currently undertaking VET qualifications to gain an understanding on their perspectives in continuing into higher education, if they are aware of the pathways that exist, if they intend to continue studying and the barriers to progressing.

Our students did a great job – they spoke and presented themselves really well. They were able to discuss their own experiences, spoke highly of the IRSDT Program and commended the support and pathways we have provided them.

We had Michelle Nixon, Tegan Kent, Ben Hunter, Shana and myself in attendance. There were five other students from various colleges present.

The meeting was only a little over 40 minutes, but our students were able to represent Indigenous learners from remote communities.

The key themes from the discussion were:

• The role and need for support (from schools, parents, community and training providers) required to assist students progressing their education.
• Support and information provided from high school careers advisors.
• The difference in support provided by private providers versus larger university providers (larger providers were not flexible and not personal i.e. 500 students in lecture theatres etc.) and the difference in industry standing for creative arts courses (private colleges are regarded higher in the industry).
• There was a small discussion about the relevance of a university degree as it did not always mean job/career outcomes (one student did say, however, that they were not able to get certain VISAs due to points-based systems).
• Cost of higher education and the need for FEE-HELP .
• The balance between work and study (cost/stress/time).
• Lack of opportunity in remote communities, no role models, no encouragement to complete HSC let alone pursue higher education, and lack of job opportunity.
• Need for all education to have career/job outcomes (and how the IRSDT Program links work/supervisor, mentor support to course outcomes).
• All students knew the pathways available to them, but many are not in a position to take up these opportunities, or would like further industry experience before returning to study, and some wished to complete hiher education overseas.

Pictured above: From left - Ben, Kaisha, Tegan, Shana and Michelle at Parliament House.

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BCA National's Noelene Millikin recently delivered training in Galiwinku (Elcho Island), north-east of Darwin, this month as part of the Indigenous Remote Service Delivery Traineeship Program.

Here are her thoughts:

"The opportunity to teach in a remote location does not come everyday. However, if you are one of the fortunate ones who are offered to teach there, one should jump at the opportunity!

"The experience was surreal. The flight across ‘the top end’ was amazing; looking down at the coastline and seeing ancient rivers winding like giant snakes across the land - it has to be seen to be really appreciated.

"The one thing I take most from this experience and truly appreciate was the people. The people of Elcho Island welcome you with such honesty and trust that they truly made my time there a once in a lifetime experience. I was privileged to enjoy the company of some wonderful people.

"We laughed and I tried to learn to dance, to no avail, but maybe next time! We learned together, we taught each other.

"It’s ironic that it was I who came across a wealth of new found knowledge - and I was the teacher! Learning about the community and sharing in the daily events gave so much more meaning to the word ‘training.’ We found ways to share our knowledge and to teach each other.

"A journey began when I went to Elcho Island, and I am hoping it continues. I hope what I take with me, I keep with me."

The group will be having their next training block later this month in Uluru. Below are some pictures from the flight from Darwin to Galiwinku.

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“The experience of travelling and meeting new people was awesome!  I had not been to Sydney before and not been in a training group that included people out of our community and from other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

“Acknowledgement and confidence was the two big things I got out of my Certificate IV.  At the conclusion of my training I had an opportunity to present at a National Conference for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care Service Providers with our Executive Officer.

“I felt a lot more confident and comfortable presenting at the conference as I had gained skills during my training and was presenting on an area that I was not only passionate about, but proud to be a part of.

“One special part was having two of my aunties at the conference who work for another service in Ceduna where some of my family live.  They were so pleased to see my presentation, that in the morning tea break they phoned my nan and mum to tell them how good I did.

“My boss says that she has a 10-year plan for me. When I know what it is I will tell you! P.S. I am at the 3rd year of the plan and I have my Cert IV in Business!

“We work with very special Elders and people need to know that as well as that we work really hard to support them.  It was an awesome experience.  I can’t wait for the next opportunity to share the story of my workplace.”

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Next week on Friday, February 4, BCA National Training Group is hosting a sausage sizzle and cake stall fundraiser to support the communities affected by the Queensland floods.

We’re inviting you to come along to The Station at Jacksons Landing (next to the glasshouse swimming pool on Bowman St, Pyrmont) between 11am and 2pm and lend your aid by purchasing some sausages, soft drinks, cup cakes and raffle tickets.

We hope to raise at least $5,000!

Proceeds will go towards Lifeline Community Care Queensland’s Community Recovery Program.

If you can’t make it but wish to support our efforts, you can still help by visiting www.gofundraise.com.au/BCANational and making a secure, tax-deductible donation online.

For more information, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it at BCA National on 1300 69 35 65.

About the Event

Where - The Station, Jacksons Landing (next to the glasshouse swimming pool on Bowman St, Pyrmont)
When - 11am to 2pm Friday, February 4
What - Sausage sizzle and cake stall
Why - To raise funds to support those affected by the Queensland floods. Proceeds from the event go towards supporting Lifeline Community Care Queensland’s Community Recovery Program.

About Lifeline Community Care and the Community Recovery Program

People affected by floods can experience moderate to high levels of anxiety, significant grief from further loss of property or valued possessions, and may find themselves in unexpected financial hardship.

This can wear thin on emotional wellbeing. That’s where Lifeline comes in.

Lifeline provides flood support through its Community Recovery Program which is specifically designed to provide support to individuals and communities affected by disasters or events.

The program aims to make an immediate impact on the trauma and stress experienced by communities through counselling interventions, as well as spearheading longer term recovery through a coordinated approach to rebuilding or re-establishing key community networks and support structures.

Some support can continue for years after a critical incident and includes psychological assessments and referrals; immediate and ongoing counselling and support; and financial counselling including referrals for business.

All funds raised will be used to resource Lifeline’s Community Recovery Program so that Lifeline can continue to provide fast response and well-trained staff and volunteers in the event of a disaster.

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Remember to never walk backwards!

Emily’s visit to Coober Pedy

I leaned innocently to the local on the plane next to me and asked about the holes in the ground all around below.  He quickly told me to remember to never walk backwards in Coober Pedy.  You’ll end up 90 feet down!

This was on the way to my recent visit to Coober Pedy in South Australia as part of our consultation for the Indigenous and Remote Service Delivery Traineeship Program, which we like to call the Community Business Skills Program.

I met three potential trainees who were absolutely thrilled to be taking part in our Community Business Skills Program later this month and early next year.  It was wonderful to hear that they were as passionate about the training as we are at BCA National Training Group.

What really astounded me was how struck they were by the way we had tailored the training materials to suit their needs.  They commented about how well the materials matched the work environment of Aboriginal Health and Aged Care Services in remote areas.  This was really rewarding to hear as it is exactly what the resource development team at BCA National has been working to achieve.  I left a copy of the sample materials with the trainees and their services who were happy to have a closer look and give us some more feedback to so we could be sure we’re delivering great training.

Word had already spread around town (which is best known for its opal mines and underground houses by the way) and I was introduced to four other people who wanted to be part of next year’s training.  Eyes lit up when we spoke about how this training aimed to help the trainees become the community Managers and CEOs of the future, and how we hoped that by doing the training they would feel more empowered to support their families, elders and communities.

There was also great excitement about the possibility of them coming to Sydney, seeing the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge and of course going SHOPPING!  The trainees also commented about the crazy traffic in Sydney - being a Sydneysider, it was hard to argue but I did reassure them that our team would be on hand to help navigate any challenges that were thrown their way.

Meeting the trainees and seeing where they work was such a great experience. I was thrilled to be able to learn from the students and their supervisors and to hear the passion they have for their work and communities.

What a privilege to be able to be part of this with them.   It seems Coober Pedyian’s take their own advice and “only walk forwards”!

Above: Mervyn Watson, Leyla Maree Sturat Likou-Resu and Krista Carbine (Trainees from Umoona Aged Care Corporation starting a Cert IV in Business in Sydney this month).

Above: Akabu Warria (Trainee completing a Diploma of Business) and Rose Berry (Supervisor, Umoona Tjutagku Health Service).

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