The gift of education could change the lives of 33 Indigenous high school students who are the first to graduate from Arrow Energy-sponsored QATSIF Scholarships.
The regional students were among 521 honoured recently for graduating from the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation’s (QATSIF) scholarship program, which enabled Indigenous students to complete Year 12.
A celebratory breakfast was held in Brisbane and live streamed to schools in regional Queensland where QATSIF graduates gathered.
Arrow is QATSIF’s only corporate partner, providing financial assistance for 69 students to cover education-related expenses such as textbooks, tutoring, uniforms and cultural support.
Rockhampton State High School Student Chandi Bradshaw, 16, is among 33 Arrow-sponsored students graduating from Year 12 this week.
She said Arrow’s support helped her concentrate on her school work and apprenticeship.
I have an apprenticeship as a boilermaker, so I am going full-time after formal,” Chandi said.
Fellow Rockhampton State High School student Monique Saunders, 17, said she was hoping to gain work in the mining industry.
“The support from QATSIF and Arrow has just been really good in so many ways. it has meant a lot,” Monique said.
Arrow CEO Andrew Faulkner said Arrow was honoured to be the organisation’s first and only corporate partner.
“We are extremely proud to have contributed positively to the futures of 33 young Indigenous people across Queensland,” Mr Faulkner said.
“Education is a vital tool in closing the gap in employment outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
“These students now have a strong foundation from which to take on the world, thanks to the partnership between QATSIF and Arrow Energy.
“Arrow Energy is committed to doing its part to promote equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Queensland and we encourage other corporations to do the same.”
Arrow sponsors students from Dalby, Gladstone, Rockhampton, Chinchilla and Childers through the two-year QATSIF-Arrow Energy Queensland Certificate of Education Scholarship Program.
QATSIF Board of Advice Chairperson Professor Cindy Shannon said the scholarships were instrumental in assisting Indigenous children to stay in school.
“To have completed Year 12 and achieved this standard of education can never be underestimated as one of the strongest foundations a person can have upon which to build their career and their future,” Professor Shannon said.
“QATSIF thanks Arrow Energy for being the first in the corporate world to come on board.”
Arrow Energy was the first coal seam gas company to launch a Reconciliation Action Plan earlier this year.
The QATSIF scholarships help make up more than 200 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learning opportunities Arrow supports as part of its commitment to the education pathway.
Arrow also sponsors 25 Indigenous tertiary scholarships with universities as well as more than 100 Year 9 and 10 students in Queensland University of Technology and Arrow Energy education camps.