Communities to benefit from inspiring young Indigenous leaders
01 March 2021
5
min read
Queensland’s young Indigenous leaders are upskilling to support their communities and help drive local change.
Around 40 young Indigenous leaders from remote, regional and urban communities across Queensland engaged in the six-day residential Queensland Indigenous Youth Leadership Program (QIYLP) held in Brisbane in December 2020.
QSuper has been a proud supporter for several years of the program providing mentoring support to participants, attending as guest speakers and attending various sessions to work with participants in helping them shape their leadership journeys. The program is delivered annually by the Office for Youth, Department of Environment and Science, in partnership with Queensland Parliamentary Services.
In 2020 QSuper continued to extend our support, providing 20 volunteers to engage with the participants in a networking activity session and community project grant writing session. The program provides an opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders aged from 18 to 25 to come together to strengthen their leadership skills and build their capacity to drive change in local communities.
Volunteers’ expertise utilised
During the workshop, the leadership program participants spent time talking with volunteers from QSuper, State Government departments, health services and the private sector to learn about various careers and experiences. The volunteers also assisted the young leaders in a community project planning writing session, to help develop their skills in applying for grants.
Attending the official opening day of the QIYLP workshop, QSuper Chief Executive Officer Michael Pennisi offered participants and mentors some insights gleaned from his career, including setting goals and resilience.
He said the path to leadership was not always a linear process and often aspiring leaders needed to take a step sideways or backwards in order to achieve their goals.
It’s also important to be prepared to back your yourself and your decisions. Things won’t always go smoothly,” Mr Pennisi said.
One of the QSuper volunteers, Osei Wiafe, said it was a privilege to be involved in the program.
“It’s a great avenue to share ideas and there is so much to learn from the passion of these young people,” Mr Wiafe said. “These young people have a firm determination to support their various communities through carefully considered programs. Their commitment and resolve is an inspiration to us all.”
Leadership in FNQ
After participating in the 2019 Leadership program, Mareeba Youth Support Officer Zachimo Kulka returned to the program in 2020 as a mentor.
“I’m very passionate about youth having a positive head space and being able to have a positive and strong spirit. I’ve learned so much from the great conversations we’ve had with the program, it is very inspiring to see and hear what our young people are doing,” Mr Kulka said.
This leadership program is so important. It helps us help ourselves, our families and most importantly our communities.”
Mr Kulka, 24, said he continued to work extensively to tackle youth crime in the Far North Queensland region.
“With the skills and knowledge I gained by being a participant and a mentor, I’ve learned how to approach key stakeholders and work within the community and with issues affecting young kids.
“It’s important to be working together across government and the community to ensure we have a strong approach,” he said.
Regional support for at-risk teens
For Jordan Twaddle (pictured, centre), the self-awareness session of the program helped her connect with ways to make a difference and engage with teens to help cut the rate of teen suicide.
Based in Rockhampton, Ms Twaddle, 23, said she was dedicated to finding ways to help young people after she lost family members to suicide during her high school years.
“It opened my eyes that there’s more ways to help young people. I want to put together a weekend program and support young people, give them a place to come and do things and know that there’s someone who understands them,” Ms Twaddle said.
I know my cousins might have felt differently if they had a place to go where there was someone they could talk to. It’s important teens are being heard.”
At the conclusion of the workshop, the participants had the opportunity to submit applications to the Government for community project grants and or professional development grants.
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