Indigenous students were celebrated in Toowoomba this week for their participation in a four-month Arrow Energy-sponsored program promoting higher education.
About 150 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from 14 high schools in the Darling Downs and surrounds took part in the DARE (Dream Aspire Reach Experience) Indigenous Secondary School Mentoring Program in 2013.
DARE is run by the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) to encourage Indigenous Year 10 students to pursue high education. It involves 16 weeks of in-school mentoring, campus experiences, competitions and a leadership camp.
The program was extended to two years, thanks to Arrow’s $76,000 contribution.
USQ business student Joseph Roberson mentors up to 15 students at Oakey State High School and said there were benefits for all involved.
“Being an Indigenous person myself, I really felt like I could learn more about my own culture which is something I love about DARE just as much as the students,” he said.
“I love the benefits you get out of it, like seeing students develop and grow. DARE is a great program more people should get involved with.”
Arrow CEO Andrew Faulkner congratulated the students and mentors on their achievements over the past four months.
“Arrow is proud to be partnering in a program that encourages Indigenous students to recognise their full potential,” Mr Faulkner said.
“Any program that results in more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students pursuing higher education is worthwhile.
“Arrow was the first coal seam gas (CSG) proponent to launch a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), and hundreds of Indigenous education initiatives to support pathways towards long-term employment are sponsored as part of it.
“Arrow’s partnership with USQ includes the support of 150 students through the DARE program, 18 high-school bursaries, three tertiary scholarships and the funding of an Indigenous mentor for university students.”
USQ DARE Project Manager Megan Darr said the program was proving successful on many fronts.
“Mentors and mentees get a lot out of the program and the barriers preventing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from pursuing higher education are gradually being broken down,” Ms Darr said.
“Corporate sponsors such as Arrow Energy allow successful programs such as DARE to keep going and it helps make reconciliation a reality.”
Schools involved include:
- Toowoomba State High School
- Centenary Heights State High School
- Harristown State High School
- Toowoomba Christian College
- Lockyer District State High School
- Laidley State High School
- Warwick State High School
- Pittsworth State High School
- Oakey State High School
- Dalby State High School
- Charleville State High School
- Cunnamulla State High School.
Media contact:
Megan Darr
Phone: +61 7 4631 1813 / +61 487 878 706
Email: [email protected]