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Copyright © Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience Indigenous Corporation 2011 www.aimementoring.com

Contents

! 1 Full Circle

Clark Webb’s AIME journey

!3

AIME National Hoodie Day Hoodie Highlights

!10

Interim Report Stories and Stats from AIME Sites

!31

Success in the Press Sisters Lead the Way

!33

Backstage with Bangarra Belong in Brisbane

!35

AIME for Change Mentor Monthly

!36

School Scoop Letter from Leichhardt Campus

!37 AIME TV

It’s back!!!

!

1

Full Circle

BY CLARK WEBB, RealBe Founder

It’s early 2005. Jack Manning Bancroft and I, aged 19 and 20 respectively, cruise down to Alexandria Park Community School in Redfern to chat with some Year 9 kids about our plans to start a new program. When we finish talking, the room is silent – almost awkward. One kid raises his hand and says, “You just feel sorry for us, aye?”

From that moment the decision was made that AIME would be something that creates an ever-lasting legacy. This legacy is continuing to build momentum. And what a journey it has been.

For me, it all started as a volunteer Mentor, then volunteer roll marker, then I presented sessions before taking on the role of AIME North Coast Program Manager in 2008. I held this role for three years before becoming AIME’s Cultural Engagement Consultant in 2011.

It seemed a touch ironic that just as my formal employment with AIME finished in July, I once again assumed the role of volunteer Mentor. Then just a few weeks ago I received a call from Jack, and in one of our last conversations as colleagues, I was invited once more to mark the roll at AIME sessions in Coffs Harbour!

The cycle complete, perhaps.

I pinch myself at the thought that I am a member of a program that is bringing about freedom in this country. I consider myself very lucky to have had the opportunity to witness the ‘light bulb’ moments for both our Mentees and Mentors when they believe that Indigenous means success.

I look back at each experience and all the skills I have acquired at AIME over the last seven years and know that they have led me to the point where I can start my own consultancy, which helps all Australians believe that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures hold the key to building this nation’s identity.

!!!!

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Clark with AIME Mentees and Mentors at Taronga Zoo in 2007.

2

During my journey with AIME, I have experienced many highlights.

I vividly remember the ‘AIME for the Stars’ session in Brisbane 2010. The moment stays with me, in part because of a quote that one student came up with: “Life is like high jump, you don’t know how high you can go unless you raise the bar.”

This year, during the Year 9 Aboriginality session in Coffs Harbour, every single student stepped forward, strong in the belief that they can go to university.

I end my journey as an AIME employee with the sincere belief that I will live to see the day that Indigenous kids finish school at the same rate as all Australian kids.

The day that high numbers of Indigenous people graduating from law, education, business and medicine is no longer the goal, but the reality; an expectation running parallel to the continual flow of Indigenous knowledge and cultural pride.

The day that Indigenous knowledge and ways of thinking are embedded within the fabric of Australian identity.

The day in which AIME is no longer needed. Clark Webb is a Bundjalung and Gumbayngirr man from the NSW North Coast. His consulting firm, RealBe, aims to instil the belief, in all Australians, that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures hold the key for building Australia’s national identity. He does this by delivering Cultural Engagement Training, community projects and keynote speaking. Begin your journey at www.realbe.com.au

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Clark (top left) with other AIME staff in 2009.!

3

Hoodie Highlights AIME NATIONAL HOODIE DAY

On Thursday 21 July 2011, thousands of Australians donned AIME Hoodies and jumped online to spread their support for Indigenous success, as part of AIME National Hoodie Day.

In its second year, AIME National Hoodie Day asked Australians to consider whether Indigenous success = Australian success. Physical conversations were held in university lecture halls and corporate boardrooms across Australia, and the online conversation continues on the AIME Facebook page.

Conversations were held at the University of Sydney, University of Wollongong, Macquarie University, Southern Cross University, Monash University, RMIT University, Queensland University of Technology, the University of the Sunshine Coast, the University of Technology, Sydney and Bond University.

Joining AIME in its commitment to Indigenous success as AIME National Hoodie Day partners in 2011 were the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council, Accor, Allens Arthur Robinson, Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs, Canterbury International, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, The Co-Op Bookshop, Cricket NSW, Foxtel, Google, South Sydney Rabbitohs, Virgin Australia and Wesfarmers Resources.

Thursday night’s gala at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia in Sydney saw the former and current captains at Dulwich Hill High School, Alicia and Emily Johnson, perform songs from their band, Ngaratya.

Every Blue AIME Hoodie sold will see AIME support more Indigenous kids to finish school at the same rate as every Australian child.

Join the online conversation: www.facebook.com/aimementoring

Grab an AIME Hoodie, start your journey: www.nationalhoodieday.com

“Australian success also means success for Indigenous people. And for Indigenous people to

succeed in Australia, it starts with belief. Belief in them, and belief that all children are created equal.”

Ian Thorpe!!!

4

Faculty of Education Staff from the University of Wollongong celebrate NHD in style. Let them eat AIME cupcakes!

Indigenous success = Australian success. Spreading the conversation across generations.

5

AIME de Triomphe!

6

Ideas flowing from the NHD conversation at Monash University. AIME Lego.

The Chooky Dancers supporting NHD while working with a young mob in Roebourne, Western Australia.

7

Olympic diver Alexandra Croak flipping from ten metres for NHD.

In the nation’s capital for NHD.

8

NHD Behind the Scenes THREE STATES, TWO STORIES, ONE DAY

It’s often said that the journey can be more important than the destination. For two AIME staff, the weeks preceding NHD were roller coasters. Take a trip with AIME High Performance Unit Director Ben Lonsdale aboard the ‘Demon Warrior Space Batman Ghosty Ride’. Follow AIME Communications and Operations Manager Catherine McNamara across three states – from Melbourne to Broome and back again, then up to the Sunny Coast.

It’s all part of the lead up to one epic day!

Ben Lonsdale: The Demon Warrior Space Batman Ghosty Ride Last year’s AIME National Hoodie Day, perhaps, had greater significance personally, because it coincided with my first public presentation for AIME at the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) headquarters in Canberra.

Reflecting on last year’s NHD, the experience can only be described as an unpredictable and lengthy roller coaster, with variable speeds and gradients, lasting over a period of 14 hours, or simply the ‘Demon Warrior Space Batman Ghosty Ride’.

A few things were certain: we had launched a national day, we had become closer as a team (given the experience), and there were a number of people outside our immediate networks who cared about what we were doing. We were offering a pathway to people who wanted to connect with Indigenous Australia – but perhaps didn’t know how. Despite all of the sweat, angst, drama and excitement, we had given the nation a nudge, and we were slowly moving in the right direction.

In the lead up to this year’s NHD, I sensed the same feelings I experienced last year. I was back in line, waiting for my chance to once again jump on the ‘Demon Warrior Space Batman Ghosty Ride’.

However, this year felt different.

Our team had grown. We were more experienced. AIME was another year older. We were stronger and more equipped to deal with the uncertainty the day inevitably brought. Despite the nerves and anticipation of what NHD had in store, I was not afraid of the roller coasters or the unpredictability.

What superseded those feelings was the opportunity we had to make a difference to our great country, giving those outside our immediate network the chance to start their journey and learn what it REALLY means to be a proud Australian.

Indigenous Success has always, and will always, mean Australia success.

I hope you enjoyed the day, I certainly did.

Catherine McNamara: The Countdown 6 weeks to NHD: AIME Program Director Sam Perry briefs Communications and Operations Managers to start thinking seriously about NHD: booking venues, catering and getting people to turn up. I realise how far we’ve come into June (how did that happen?!), and email my Monash University and RMIT contacts to get an agreement for hosting NHD at each site. Venues now locked in and catering sorted!

Meet with Ormond College hosts to ensure the Melbourne North site will be ready for AIME South East Melbourne Program Manager Kyle Vander Kuyp to drop in on 21 July (AIME Melbourne North Program Manager Jirra Harvey is completing a Fellowship at the National Gallery of Australia, meaning that Kyle is taking one for the team!).

1,454 kilometers away in the Sunshine Coast, AIME Program Manager Monique Proud picks up the phone and we begin making plans for a venue and how to take advantage of the O-Week free sausage sizzle for the conversation at the University of the Sunshine Coast.

4 weeks: ANNUAL LEAVE!!! Broome, Broome, beautiful Broome. !!!!!!!!!!!!!

9

2 weeks: Brought back to reality pretty quickly by impending workload. Work till 9pm on the Thursday and Friday after returning to get my head around things before first trip to the Sunshine Coast on Monday.

1 ! weeks out: Fly to the Sunshine Coast. I send invites for both RMIT and Monash. Discuss with Monique how she is visualising the conversation. We are very keen on the panel idea. Monique also wants the ability for participants to create an artwork or visual reminder of what they talked about on the day.

I talk to Kyle to see what he wants to do, and he is chilled out and confident. We throw a few ideas around, and Sam agrees to rehearse with Kyle in week leading up to NHD while I’m in the Sunshine Coast. Thanks Sam!

1 " weeks: Monique has booked three guests for panel: Toby Adams, Uncle Henry Neill and her Mum, Denise Proud. We’re both feeling confident with the idea. Each panellist will talk for three minutes about whether Indigenous success = Australian success. Following this, panellists will join with smaller groups to help fuel discussion.

Whilst at the Sunny Coast, Monique and I are pulling late nights, working anywhere from 7:30-11pm, and making the most of every minute we’re together.

I transfer all RMIT contacts and venue specifics to Sam and Kyle in Melbourne, to ensure that they’re ready to run both a morning and afternoon tea on Thursday 21 July.

1 week: Arrive Melbourne. Grey. Arrive Sunny Coast. Blue. Broome is a distant memory now, but Monique and Kyle are ready to carry off brilliant conversations. Kyle is a picture of calm; Monique is anxious, but I have full faith in her.

1 day: I text Mentors to remind them to come to USC, Monash or Ormond. Which state am I in again? Monique and I go shopping for tablecloths, balloons and food. Monique is set to be the hostess (with the mostess), and buys a gourmet feast for the day. We go to bed, nervous, hoping we’ve thought of everything for the big day.! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AIME Communications and Operations Manager Catherine McNamara (right) with AIME Sunshine Coast Program Manager Monique Proud (left) – accompanied by muscle man.

10

Interim Report SAM PERRY, AIME PROGRAMS AND OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

When reading over this year’s interim statistics*, I really grappled with how we measured success. I saw too many things that couldn’t be represented by numbers; too many successes, too many struggles, too much complexity to sum up the effect of our collective efforts. In the first six months of this year our team has laid witness to so many moments with Mentors, Mentees, teachers, principals, parents, Elders and community members. These moments are often the catalyst for change.

Beyond the numbers, I feel AIME does three things:

• We assist young Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to defy a history that has said ‘this is too difficult’;

• We help Indigenous kids to get through school; and

• We change perceptions of everyone who comes into contact with AIME by showing that we can mutually grow from difference and walk together.

So far, our success has been through learning, rehearsing and coordinating our program across three states. In doing so, we’ve created opportunity for around two thousand young people to learn together and grow together through AIME.”

Highlights

• All sites have increased Mentor and Mentee numbers on previous years;

• 1,980 young people have signed up to take part in the AIME program; and

• 958 university students have received cultural awareness training as part of AIME’s pre-Program Mentor training.

AIME Site Mentors Mentees Sydney City 150 100 Wollongong 190 120

North West Sydney 110 95 North Coast 50 100 South East Melbourne 65 55 Melbourne North 55 65

Brisbane City 120 120 Sunshine Coast 75 110 East Sydney 100 100 Gold Coast 100 100

Total 1,015 965

* These are interim figures as of 21 July 2011.

Morgan Kill Year 9 AIME Mentee

Kanahooka High School

11

AIME Sydney City UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY

Mentor and Mentee Numbers

AIME Sydney City Totals Mentors 150 Mentees 100

Partner Schools

• Alexandria Park Community School • Ashfield Boys High School • Sydney Secondary College Balmain Campus • Dulwich High School of Visual Art and Design • Sydney Secondary College Leichhardt Campus • Marrickville High School • Newtown High School of the Performing Arts • St Scholastica’s College • Tempe High School

AIME Learning Centres

ALC Day / Time Tempe High School Monday 3:00pm-4:30pm National Centre of Indigenous Excellence (NCIE) Friday 3.30pm-5:00pm

Tempe High School Tempe High School ALC is the largest in AIME Sydney City, with 20 Mentees on average each week. Mentees dive into their work after a massive feed in the library. A room full of Mentees and Mentors recently heard Aboriginal cultural stories from the La Perouse mob, led by an Aboriginal Liaison.

National Centre of Indigenous Excellence

NCIE is the newest ALC and has proved a key cultural training venue. With such great sporting facilities available at the Centre, there’s been some tight competition in the sporting stakes, with Mentees and Mentors pairing up to make formidable teams. Mentees and Mentors have been turning up voluntarily throughout the holiday break to continue working together.

“They are pushing me to keep improving and find better pathways

for them to chase their dreams.”

Ben Bowen, AIME Sydney City Program Manager

!!!!!!!!!!!!!

12

Beyond the Numbers

For AIME Sydney City Program Manager Ben Bowen, the best moments come from seeing AIME kids transition through the Program.

“It’s hard to describe the feeling of seeing the strength and knowledge of our Year 10 Mentees who have progressed from the Year 9 Interactive Program in 2010.”

Ben recently received a phone call from one such Year 10 Mentee and the conversation went like this!

Mentee: “What time is the ALC on this week?”

Ben: “We start next week brother.”

Mentee: “Not good enough. I need to select my subjects for next year and I’ve got a uni degree waiting for me!”

Ben has also witnessed the changing aspirations of the kids and how the Program has evolved to meet their desires. “Last year, I saw a room full of young kids looking for something to keep them in school and on track to their dreams,” says Ben. “This year, the Mentees are demanding respect through their actions and sheer belief. They are pushing me to keep improving and find better pathways for them to chase their dreams. Not only have the Mentees taken control of their studies they’ve also had their ideas implemented in the layout and schedule of their local ALC.”

Turn to page 36 to read the letter from Rachel McAusland, Aboriginal Community Engagement Officer, Sydney Secondary College Leichhardt Campus (AIME Sydney City Program). ! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AIME Sydney City Program Manager Ben Bowen leads Mentees and Mentors through the ‘ABBADABULOUS floor routine’.!

!

13

AIME Wollongong UNIVERSITY OF WOLLONGONG

Mentor and Mentee Numbers

AIME Wollongong Totals Mentors 190 Mentees 120

Partner Schools

• Bulli High School • Corrimal High School • Dapto High School • Figtree High School • Illawarra Sports High School • Kanahooka High School • Keira High School • Warilla High School • Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts • Woonona High School

AIME Wollongong commenced in 2008 with five partner schools. Three years later, the program is partnered with ten schools. Bulli High School, Keira High School and Woonona High School joined AIME Wollongong this year.

AIME Learning Centres

ALC Day / Time Illawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre Tuesday 4:00pm-6:00pm

Kanahooka High School Wednesday 2:45pm-4:00pm Corrimal High School Thursday 3:00pm-5:00pm

Illawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre The Illawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre is a regional ALC operated by the Illawarra Aboriginal Corporation Myimbarr. Many local Elders attend this Centre for important meetings and on frequent occasions the Elders help Mentees get through schoolwork.

A minimum of 25-30 Indigenous school students frequent the Centre each week. Many do not attend schools currently partnered with AIME. Parents are welcome to attend, along with Indigenous primary school students.

The Faculty of Education at the University of Wollongong supports this ALC and the Dean of Education, Professor Paul Chandler, often volunteers to work with Mentees. A partnership between the Faculty of Education and the St George Illawarra Dragons National Rugby League team means that on special occasions, players help students complete their homework, reinforcing that even celebrities value continuing education.

“Many of the original high school students from the Centre have now either secured

traineeships in companies such as NAB and NRMA, or

have entered TAFE or university.”

Professor Paul Chandler, Dean of Education,

University of Wollongong

“I love it when the Mentors come back

each year.” AIME Mentee at Illawarra

Aboriginal Cultural Centre ALC

14

Kanahooka High School Kanahooka High School is a new ALC in 2011. The first ‘Get to Know You’ session instantly smashed any idea that Mentees may have had about the Centre being a strict, quiet, cold place. Mentors made it clear very quickly that KHS ALC would be a fun environment where each student can feel comfortable and receive quality academic support. The Mentees really enjoyed the first session, and obviously went home and told their friends.

In tandem to this word-of-mouth, a whole school engagement approach was adopted to boost awareness of the ALC. Contact teachers Jocelyn Burns and Peter Morris, along with Principal Peter Jones and other KHS staff, took huge initiative by making phone calls to parents to let them know about the ALC. This support saw the next ALC session attended by 17 students, with every session to follow hosting 20-25 Mentees.

The final ALC for School Term Two concluded with physical education activities, including a game called MODTAG – a modified version of ‘tag’ or ‘tip’. Mentees, Mentors and even the KHS staff joined in with the fun – see the photo below!

Corrimal High School Corrimal High School is also a new ALC in 2011. Commencing with six Mentees, the Centre’s attendance has increased steadily in the months since. There has been strong support from Mentors, with approximately 15 attending each week. As this is the first year that the ALC has opened at CHS, more work needs to be completed before the ALC sees strong results. AIME’s focus currently falls on promoting the Centre to school students, teachers and parents at CHS, as well as other schools in the Wollongong region.

Beyond the Numbers Professor Paul Chandler, reflecting on the Illawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre, said the ALC “keeps going from strength to strength. An amazing group of AIME Mentors have taken the Learning Centre to the next level. While the names and faces have changed, everyone involved is driven by the principle that every child deserves a right to education."

Earlier this year, four AIME Mentees were selected to attend the ‘Learn Earn Legend!’ Indigenous Youth Summit in Queensland. Warilla High School students Troy Tungai (Year 11), Keira Cruise Rawrari (Year 11) and Andrea Daniels (Year 8); and Figtree High School student Brodie McGhie (Year 11) were selected by their community as role models who have demonstrated strong leadership. Impressed by the Wollongong students, summit organisers invited the four Mentees to meet Senator the Hon Mark Arbib. Troy, who has an interest in politics, made an impression on the Senator, who asked after Troy upon revisiting the summit, giving all the Wollongong students the chance to meet the Senator again. !

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Mentors, Mentees and school staff join in the MODTAG madness.

15

AIME North West Sydney MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY

Mentor and Mentee Numbers

AIME North West Sydney Totals Mentors 110 Mentees 95

Partner Schools

• Blacktown Girls High School • Doonside High School • Evans High School • Mitchell High School • Northmead High School • Quakers Hill High School • Riverstone High School • Seven Hills High School • Wyndham High School

AIME Learning Centres

ALC Day / Time Northmead High School Monday 2:00pm-4:00pm Doonside High School Tuesday 3:00pm-4:00pm Blacktown Girls High School Wednesday 1:15pm-2:50pm

Wyndham College Wednesday 3:00pm-4:00pm

Northmead High School In its first year of operation, Northmead High School ALC is building a following of students. AIME is looking to boost promotion at the school to attract more students to sessions.

Doonside High School With the highest Indigenous student population in the area, Doonside High School has joined the AIME program in 2011. Solid numbers of students are staying after school each Tuesday afternoon to attend the ALC and receive extra help with their homework from AIME North West Program Manager Yanis Bates and his team of Mentors.

Blacktown Girls High School A faithful supporter of AIME North West Sydney since 2010, Blacktown Girls High School continues to open its doors as an ALC each week. With Wednesday being an early finish to classes at BGHS, the girls are choosing to spend their afternoons receiving homework assistance from the contingent of Mentors that make the trip out to Blacktown each week.

“It’s great just to show the kids that university is not a big scary place that they don’t belong,

but actually somewhere that they

can strive to be themselves in two to three years time.” Greg Johnston, Principal, Seven Hills High School

!!!!!!!!!

16

Wyndham College Wyndham College is a senior high school, which enrols students in Years 11 and 12 within the Nirimba Collegiate Group of Schools. The College draws students from the Years 7-10 schools within the Collegiate: Quakers Hill, Riverstone and Seven Hills High Schools. As all of these schools are partnered with AIME in 2011, an ALC was established at Wyndham College not only to assist students with their homework, but to help the transition between junior and senior high school. The number of students attending this ALC has doubled since it opened this year.

Beyond the Numbers

After two years of operation AIME North West Sydney is reaching further than ever, offering the Year 9 Interactive Program and Year 10 Leadership Program to Indigenous high school students. AIME is working with nine schools across the region and has welcomed Doonside High School and Evans High School to the program in 2011.

Strong progression of AIME Mentees from the Year 9 Interactive Program in 2010, to the Year 10 Leadership Program in 2011, has seen a 40-strong cohort of Year 10 Mentees this year. This highlights the success of last year’s program and supports our objective to increase completion rates for all AIME students.

AIME has also welcomed a new staff member to the team. Yanis Bates has moved into the role of AIME North West Sydney Program Manager, taking the reigns from Nathan Lovett, who contributed two fantastic years with AIME. Yanis has been a Mentor for the North West Sydney Program for the past two years, and has worked with Nathan as an AIME Program Manager Cadet since April 2011. !

!!

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!

!

!Then and now. (Above) Yanis Bates at the first Year 9 and 10 Session at Macquarie University and (top right)

leading the Year 9 art session as AIME North West Sydney Program Manager.

17

AIME North Coast SOUTHERN CROSS UNIVERSITY

Mentor and Mentee Numbers

AIME North Coast Totals Mentors 50 Mentees 100

Partner Schools

• Bishop Druitt College • Coffs Harbour High School • Coffs Harbour Senior College • Orara High School • Toormina High School • Woolgoolga High School

AIME Learning Centres

ALC Day / Time Woolgoolga High School Monday, 3:10pm-4:45pm Orara High School Tuesday, 3:20pm-4:45pm Toormina High School Thursday, 3:20pm-4:45pm

Woolgoolga High School Woolgoolga High School ALC was well-established last year, and Mentees have attended in high numbers for another year. Students were really excited to receive their YourTutor cards, and have been able to utilise the online tutors effectively. Students are always keen to get in and do their schoolwork, then go outside to throw the footy around with a few of the Mentors.

Orara High School In its first year with AIME, Orara High School is running an ALC that continues to attract increasing numbers of Indigenous students. The students always come prepared with their homework and get straight to work after afternoon tea. Several dedicated students travel from Coffs Harbour High School to OHS ALC.

Toormina High School In another ALC first, Toormina High School is successfully running an ALC from the school library. The school provides afternoon tea for the students – always a good start before tucking into homework. Over time and with word-of-mouth, Mentee attendance has increased. There are always a great number of Mentors who turn up each week to support the students.

Simon Mckinney, Toormina High School Deputy Principal, said: “Our AIME Learning Centre is being utilised by a number of students who are very appreciative of the university students who are helping them with their school work. The number of students attending is increasing each week as more and more students are hearing of the opportunity this program offers.”

“There are a couple of students in particular

that have taken on board the philosophies

learned at AIME and have turned a corner as far as their education is

concerned. They’re now on a much

brighter path for their future.”

Jo Hine, Aboriginal Education Officer, Woolgoolga High School

!!!!

18

Beyond the Numbers

Mervyn Bolt, AIME contact teacher at Coffs Harbour High School said: “AIME has had a significant impact on the students. Their attitude and attendance has improved, as has their classroom behaviour. All the students look forward to each AIME session – as do I too!”

The next six months will see Mentees gearing up for more excitement. In August Year 9 Mentees wrote their own lyrics to record a hip hop track, then move to centre stage with drama sessions. Year 10 students will tackle issues such as racism, drugs and alcohol. They will also be penning the speech that they would deliver as the first Indigenous Prime Minister of Australia.

At the tail end of 2011 AIME will focus on increasing the number of Mentees attending ALCs, and wrapping the year up with an end of year lunch to remember! ! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NHD conversation participants at Southern Cross University, Coffs Harbour.!

19

AIME South East Melbourne MONASH UNIVERSITY

Mentor and Mentee Numbers

AIME South East Melbourne Totals Mentors 65 Mentees 55

Partner Schools

• Dandenong High School • Endeavour Hills Secondary School • Genazzano FJC College • Hampton Park Secondary College • Keysborough Secondary College • Methodist Ladies College • Patterson River Secondary College • Scotch College • Trinity Grammar School • Xavier College

AIME Learning Centres

ALC Day / Time Patterson River Secondary College Monday 3:30pm-4:30pm Scotch College Wednesday 7:00pm-8:00pm Dandenong High School Thursday 3:30pm-4:30pm

Patterson River Secondary College It is great to finally offer an ALC at Patterson River Secondary College, as this school is the furthest away from the university campus at Clayton. The ALC kicked off in mid-May and the first session was attended by many PRSC school staff, as well as neighbouring schools. It was fantastic to see schools being brought together through a mutual experience of AIME. Year 10 Mentee Rachael Cannon gave a speech to open the ALC, saying “I would never have been able to do a lot of things if it wasn’t for AIME last year.” Her teachers all remarked on her newfound ability to speak in public.

Scotch College Since July 2010, Monash University students have been coming to the ALC at Scotch College. Each week, kids give up 1.5 hours of their evening to engage in a fun activity, then break into homework time with a Mentor. Mentors make their own way to the ALC and due to AIME attracting Monash students from every discipline, the Mentees receive high quality assistance in the subjects they find most challenging.

The remarkable thing about this ALC is that it brings students from seven of Melbourne’s private schools together each Wednesday night. The buzz in the room is extraordinary. Many of these students know each other from their homes in Darwin, or other places, and delight in being all in the same place, receiving support. The kids at this ALC perhaps get the most work done in the whole region! It is usually the students who are keen to get underway with their homework, and the 20 Mentors that attend are always ready to provide quality one-on-one assistance.

“Jason hid the fact that he was Indigenous at school. It wasn’t till

his little brother enrolled that we found out. It’s amazing to see

how much he has changed after a short time. He is so much

more confident, and is now proud and telling

people about his culture and heritage.”

Debbie Luxford Teacher, Endeavour Hills

Secondary School

20

Dandenong High School This ALC has a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere; so much so that one student from Keysborough Secondary College gets her mother to drive her to Dandenong High School for homework help each week. Students have a chance to work with Mentors and teachers, who stay behind to help out with the ALC. It is a great experience for both students and teachers to see each other in a more relaxed, ‘AIME environment’.

Beyond the Numbers Two girls from Loreto College attend the Scotch College ALC each week. They are driven by their mother/aunty, and seem to look forward to attending. One day, AIME Communications and Operations Manager Catherine McNamara was working through a “Get to Know You” exercise with the eldest girl. When they came to the question ‘which is your favourite day of the week?’ the girl replied, “Wednesday”. When Cath asked, “why Wednesday?”, the girl replied simply, “Because we’ve got AIME.”

On the second week of the Dandenong High School ALC operating, Year 10 student Ashleigh Skeels, from Keysborough Secondary College, organised for her mother to drive her to Dandenong High School to participate. This was the week after Program Manager Kyle Vander Kuyp had led the students in a session entitled ‘ALC in the Place to Be’ at the Monash Clayton Campus. In this session, students pledged to try to attend ALCs in their area, something that obviously impacted on the students, and has some of them trying to take their AIME experience to the next level.

At the first ALC at Patterson River, one Year 9 student (who also attends the Friday sessions at Clayton) was being particularly difficult, giving snide remarks to every question in the ‘Get to Know You’ exercise. When it came to the question for Mentors ‘Why do you go to uni? the student said loudly “As if you’d go to uni. It sucks.” After listening to all the Mentors’ responses, I asked him what he thought. He replied thoughtfully “I reckon if I go to uni, I’ll keep doing this AIME thing.” !

“I would never have been able to do a lot of

things if it wasn’t for AIME last year.”

Rachael Cannon,

AIME Year 10 Mentee

AIME South East Melbourne Program Manager Kyle Vander Kuyp at Monash University for the AIME National Hoodie Day conversation.

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AIME Melbourne North RMIT UNIVERSITY

Mentor and Mentee Numbers

AIME Melbourne North Totals Mentors 55 Mentees 65

Partner Schools

• Bundoora Secondary College • Northland Secondary College • Reservoir High School • Thornbury High School

AIME Learning Centres

ALC Day / Time Bundoora Secondary College Tuesday 3:30pm-4:30pm Reservoir High School Wednesday 3:30pm-4:30pm Thornbury High School Thursday 3:30pm-4:30pm

Bundoora Secondary College Bundoora Secondary College ALC is the longest-running ALC in the region. Week after week, this ALC has consistently attracted students. Last year, the ALC was attended by mostly female, junior secondary students, whilst this year has seen more senior secondary, male students. It is great to see these boys give up more than an hour of their afternoon to complete homework and socialise with their Mentors.

Every week, there is some career discussion, with kids encouraged to think about what they want to do. We take it seriously that every student should believe they can attain their dream career, such as one Year 7 Mentee who knows every player in the AFL (we’ve all tested him!) and would love to become a sports commentator.

Reservoir High School Reservoir High School ALC is regularly attended by a group of so-called “naughty” boys, who love to play basketball against their Mentors, and actually get work done. The disbelief of teachers, in reaction to these students staying back after school – sometimes until 5.30pm – working, is testament to the different approach AIME takes at the ALC. Teacher Peter Lorenti recently stated at a Koorie parent night, “I wholly endorse AIME at this school. It is our best program.”

Thornbury High School As a first year ALC, Thornbury High School leapt from having no students in its first week, to 11 students attending by week three. It’s great to see the students valuing their Mentor’s time. One Year 9 boy came up to AIME Melbourne North Program Manager Jirra Harvey to formally apologise for not being able to attend that week’s ALC. Students are also taking responsibility to attend the Friday sessions, and write letters to give prior notice if they will be absent. Jirra has enjoyed assisting the students with their projects on Koorie war heroes, and regularly leads cultural discussions with Mentors and Mentees.

“I wholly endorse AIME at this school. It is our best program.”

Peter Lorenti, Teacher, Reservoir High School

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Beyond the Numbers On the second week of the Reservoir High School ALC operating, Year 10 student Sky Warr, from Northland Secondary College, asked her final period teacher if she could leave school early to make it to the Reservoir High ALC. This took a lot of coordination on Sky’s part. She had to get a note of permission from her parent, organise which bus to take, then walk a distance to get to the ALC on time. She arrived puffing, but very happy to be there, and has committed to try to get there every week.

It was challenging at the very first ALC at Thornbury High School to have no students show up. Mentors had completed training and taken great effort to get themselves there, but refused to be disheartened. They stayed to brainstorm activity ideas with Jirra and vowed to attend the next week. The next week three students came, and the Mentors again were determined to hang in there. The following week 11 students attended! and outnumbered the Mentors! Our Mentors are truly very perseverant, flexible, committed individuals.

We have had one Year 9 student from Northland Secondary College who says to us every week “I don’t want to go to AIME, I’m not coming back next week.” Although his demeanour can be deterring, the fact remains that he is yet to miss a session. We often tell our Mentors, “You may not think you are having an impact, but the fact your Mentee keeps turning up is saying something.”

One of our Mentors is studying Education at the Bundoora West campus and has been struggling lately, thinking she is not quite cool enough for her Year 9 Mentee. One session she was getting really insecure and awkward by the end, when all of a sudden her Mentee asked her what she wanted to do. She spoke of her wish to be a teacher, and her Mentee replied, “I think you’d be a really good teacher because you connect well to people and you’re really easy to talk to.” The Mentor was almost in tears relating this story to us, and described it as her first “AIME moment.” !

! !!!!!!!

!!!

AIME Melbourne North Program Manager Jirra Harvey at RMIT University for the AIME National Hoodie Day conversation.

!!!!!!!!!!

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AIME Brisbane City QUEENSLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHOLOGY

Mentor and Mentee Numbers

AIME Brisbane City Totals Mentors 120 Mentees 120

Partner Schools

• The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander School • Aspley State High School • Brisbane Boys College • Clayfield College • Kelvin Grove State College • Loganlea State High School • Wavell State High School

AIME Learning Centres

ALC Day / Time Loganlea State High School Wednesday 3:00pm-4:30pm

Loganlea State High School Loganlea State High School ALC has been a standout, and was attended by 30 students in its first week. The vibe and energy of both the Mentors and Mentees has been crucial. Mentees have commented on the “awesome” ability to talk with expert tutors online, on-demand, through YourTutor, while school staff say that "The extra support is great" and that "Students’ behaviour is more engaging and serious".

Beyond the Numbers

Every single week a number of Mentors go far beyond their call of duty by assisting before and after sessions. The passion and drive is definitely in Brisbane. As a new AIME school, the energy and commitment shown by students and staff at the Murri School has been powerful – this energy is far from ad hoc; it’s being carried outside of sessions every single week.

AIME Brisbane Program Manager Darren Brady says it is a powerful moment seeing students come each week and take centre stage when asked. “Each week I ask a Mentee to read, sing or rap and they are not afraid to do it. I had a young lady in Year 9 who shared a very emotional poem about identity, and her journey thus far, which I know touched the whole Year 9 cohort and staff.”

“Providing a space for sharing these poems has yielded an unimaginable response,” says Darren. “Student after student stepped up. The one or two who didn’t wish to read out their poem themselves had enough trust and respect to allow their Mentor to read it out on their behalf. Having a young person express who they are and what they believe in is an intense moment. It’s an opportunity not often given to them, so this moment is a real mover in the AIME program. !

“We are all on one land, so come together

and join hands. Family and friends, we

love them all,

So now it's time to share our call –

To live life – Success is the key, so lets all come together and be family.

Day and night, we'll

share a fright so we come together

with all our might.

We have pride in our culture

And our gift will be returned.

We stand on our sunburned country to Love, Live and Learn.

So lets end this game of

racist chess, And share the winnings

of Australian SUCCESS!!!”

“Australian Success”, AIME Brisbane City Mentee,

Loganlea State High School

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“This flow I spiel is for real,

not some political ideal, ya feel?

So now I’m studying to be a teacher, but

don’t get it twisted, I’m not trying to be a preacher,

misfit, I’m at QUT getting this paper,

to make my wallet thicker, therefore I gotta be a thinker.

Along comes AIME and its about time

I was starting to lose the wires in my mainframe,

everyone was playing the blame game.

I ain’t religious but thank God for AIME

it keeps me sane

shows me that the world can maintain

and change.”

Matthew Mclaren, AIME Brisbane City Mentor!

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AIME Sunshine Coast UNIVERSITY OF THE SUNSHINE COAST

Mentor and Mentee Numbers

AIME Sunshine Coast Totals Mentors 75 Mentees 110

Partner Schools

• Beerwah State High School • Burnside State High School • Caloundra State High School • Chancellor State College • Maroochydore State High School • Meridan State College • Mountain Creek State High School • Nambour State High School • Sunshine Beach State High School

AIME Learning Centres

ALC Day / Time Meridan State College Monday 3:15-4:30pm Beerwah State High School Tuesday 3:15-4:30pm

Meridan State College Meridan State College ALC commenced on Monday 1 August this year. AIME Sunshine Coast Program Manager Monique Proud says there has been no lack of enthusiasm from the school, which has called every week to help get the Centre up and running. The first students to attend enjoyed afternoon tea provided by the school and were able to meet with Mentors from the University of the Sunshine Coast. Students from Caloundra State High School are expected to attend in the weeks ahead with an after-school bus transport service commencing in August.

Beerwah State High School Beerwah State High School commenced on Tuesday 9 August.

Beyond the Numbers There has been an overwhelming uptake of AIME in the Sunshine Coast, with Program Manager Monique Proud continuing to recruit Mentors. “Students were hugely excited to receive their YourTutor cards at the first ALC,” said Catherine McNamara, AIME Communications and Operations Manager. “AIME Sunshine Coast is shaping up strongly in its first year with the program. Watch this space! !

“We’ve been waiting for something like this

for decades – we’ll make sure this

happens.” Bevan Brennan, Principal, Chancellor State College

26

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NHD conversation participants at the University of the Sunshine Coast.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AIME Sunshine Coast Program Manager Monique Proud with the smallest NHD conversation participant.

27

AIME East Sydney UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, SYDNEY

Mentor and Mentee Numbers

AIME East Sydney Totals Mentors 100 Mentees 100

Partner Schools

• Matraville Sports High School • Meriden • Randwick Boys High School • Rose Bay Secondary College • South Sydney High School • St Andrews Cathedral School

AIME Learning Centres

ALC Day / Time South Sydney High School Monday 3:15-4:30pm Matraville Sports High School Thursday 2:15pm-4:00pm Rose Bay Secondary College Thursday 3:15-4:30pm

South Sydney High School!South Sydney High School ALC is a small group, but they’re getting some big results! Lower numbers has enabled Mentors to hone in on tutoring and help Mentees complete homework. One Mentee mentioned that he received full marks for an assignment he worked on at SSHS ALC with a Mentor, and 18 out of 20 possible marks for another. The ALC sees the same students attending each week and beginning to bring friends along. The Marshmallow Challenge, which asks participants to create the tallest free-standing structure using only spaghetti and sticky tape, was a big hit with Mentors and Mentees.

Matraville Sports High School Matraville ALC has seen some great results with Mentees focused and ready to learn at each session. This ALC has been more successful with older students in Years 11 and 12 taking advantage of the support offered to help them in their HSC.

Rose Bay Secondary College

Rose Bay ALC has been a slow start, with the lowest number of ALC attendees. However, those in attendance have been enjoying the cultural aspects of the ALC and connecting with other Indigenous people. When ALCs recently stopped for school holidays, one Mentee mentioned that she would like ALCs to continue through the holidays and that she couldn’t wait for sessions to resume.

“I don’t play sport I’ll stick with school,

I’ll stay around I’m not a fool.

Starting AIME was a good decision,

Addressing our past without collision.” AIME East Sydney Mentee,

Matraville Sports High School

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Beyond the Numbers Each week, we’ve seen consistent numbers of students attending AIME sessions and ALCs at the University of Technology, Sydney. The majority of Mentees have 100% attendance.

The establishment of three ALCs was another first for AIME East Sydney. Mentee numbers have increased weekly, with Rose Bay Mentees making a particularly impressive commitment by making their own way to AIME each week without their teacher – all the while maintaining 100% attendance.

Mentees are proudly stepping up to do Acknowledgements of Country; a custom that AIME East Sydney Program Manager Belinda Huntriss invites one Mentee to deliver at the start of sessions each week. During her first ever AIME session, one St. Andrews Year 9 Mentee performed her hip hop song in front of the whole group. !

!!!!

“I’m coming at you with the real tricks, Learnt them at Rose Bay,

The lessons that I know will pay. Came to AIME now I feel no shame,

So remember the name.” AIME East Sydney Mentee,

Rose Bay Secondary College

! !

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

UTS staff, students and community representing for NHD.

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AIME Gold Coast BOND UNIVERSITY AND SOUTHERN CROSS UNIVERSITY Mentor and Mentee Numbers

AIME Gold Coast Totals Mentors 100 Mentees 100

Partner Schools

• Elanora State High School • Helensvale State High School • Keebra Park State High School • Nerang State High School • Palm Beach Currumbin State High School • Keebra Park State High School • Southport State High School

AIME Learning Centres

ALC Day / Time Palm Beach Currumbin State High School Monday 3:00-4:00pm Keebra Park State High School Thursday (time TBC)

AIME Gold Coast ALCs commence at Palm Beach Currumbin State High School and Keebra Park State High School in the week commencing Monday 15 August.

“I was a little sceptical about the program, but after watching the first ten minutes of the first session, I’m hooked!”

Erika Griffith, Teacher, Nerang State High School

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mentors and Mentees prepare lyrics before recording their own hip hop tracks.

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Beyond the Numbers

There has been an amazing level of involvement and engagement from Bond University and Southern Cross University staff, especially in the Mentor recruitment stage. Scott Bulger, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Development and External Relations at Bond University, has sent multiple ‘all student’ emails calling for students to join the program.

The second of two Mentor training sessions involved nearly 100 university students from the two universities, and was held two days before the commencement of the program, and without a full-time Program Manager.

The first ever Year 9 and Year 10 session was held at Bond University on Thursday 26 May, and saw AIME CEO Jack Manning Bancroft return to deliver the program with Brisbane Program Manager Darren Brady. The first session was attended by 68 Mentors and 50 Mentees.

Jack Manning Bancroft and Paul Sinclair reunited for the Year 10 session, ‘Making of the A-Team’, which covered team building exercises aimed at getting everyone on the same page and committed to the same goals. Over 30 Mentors and 30 Mentees from the Year 9 program took to the lawns of Bond University to rehearse their hip hop tracks in the sun. !

!

AIME Gold Coast Program Manager Robbie Miller with Pro-Vice Bond University Office of Development staff enjoying NHD! Chancellor Alan Finch. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AIME Mentors donning their Hoodies on the Gold Coast.

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Success in the Press

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GENERATION WHY NOT? SISTERS LEAD THE WAY Sarah Whyte Sun Herald, 31 July 2011 Photo: Lee Besford

Statistics will not weigh down the Johnson sisters. Alicia, 18, and Emily, 17, are the faces of an Aboriginal generation which refuses to be tied down by negative stereotypes.

Alicia was the first Indigenous school captain of Dulwich Hill High School last year, while Emily took over her as captain this year.

Emily hopes to study medicine and Alicia is studying arts at the University of Sydney with an ambition to become an anthropologist or a lawyer.

Their mother, Priscilla and father, Phillip Bates moved the girls from the small town of Wilcannia, near Broken Hill, to Sydney to give their daughters the best education.

“Our mum really showed us how important education is by locating us to ensure that we had a better education and opportunities,” Alicia said. “Over the years we have realised what a big decision that was.”

In high school, the sisters were introduced to the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience, set up in 2005 to mentor and encourage Indigenous students to finish Year 12.

“There’s a really exciting generation coming through of

people who are proud and strong in their

culture and they can walk in both worlds.”

Jack Manning Bancroft, AIME CEO

!

32

“It showed us what uni was about, because we never really knew what it was,” Emily said.

“I didn't know how to get into uni, what you do at uni.”

“Or what uni people even looked like,” Alicia said with a laugh.

In class, Emily studied Australian and Aboriginal health statistics and discovered the stark differences between the two groups. “I know they are just stats,” she said, “but I kind of felt like I have to be better than that, and not let a book tell me what is expected of me.”

The program has come full circle for Alicia, who now mentors an Aboriginal high school student.

“She was so similar to me because she's so hyperactive. I'm trying to help her, and saying that school can be fun if you approach it right.”

Founder of AIME, Jack Manning Bancroft, said it was exciting to start hearing and seeing so many positive Indigenous stories.

“We're seeing so much Indigenous talent coming through and I think a lot of the time we kind of hear negative things about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” he said. “But there's a really exciting generation coming through of people who are proud and strong of their culture and they can walk in both worlds. Alicia and Emily are perfect examples of this.”

The mentoring program was established in 2005 with 25 university students in Redfern. The not-for-profit organisation has 1,250 mentors from ten universities working across 70 schools with 1,250 Indigenous students in Years 7-12.

Mr Manning Bancroft, 26, was awarded the NSW Young Australian of the Year last year.

This article first appeared in The Sun Herald on 31 July, 2011. Read the original article online at http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/generation-why-not-sisters-lead-the-way-20110730-1i5bi.html ! !!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Another side of success: sisters Emily and Alicia Johnson perform at the AIME National Hoodie Day gala celebration. In search of the right name for their duo, the sisters turned to their grandfather and his Barkinji language, from Wilcannia in far western NSW, for guidance. The natural choice was 'Ngaratya'

(pronounced ‘na-da-cha’), meaning 'together', representing the close connection between the sisters, their family, and their culture. (Right) Emily Johnson on the guitar.

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Backstage with Bangarra !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DARREN BRADY AIME Brisbane Program Manager

In the lead up to, during and after NAIDOC, celebrations echo around the country. Through music, dance and festivities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures come together with the wider community to celebrate where we are as Indigenous Australians today.

As part of these celebrations, a small group were given a very unique opportunity to celebrate who they are as young Indigenous people.

AIME Mentees in Brisbane who have attended all sessions thus far were invited to Bangarra Dance Theatre’s new performance, Belong, at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) in Brisbane.

We turned up at the theatre doors on Tuesday 5 July not knowing what to expect. It was school holidays, so we weren’t sure which students would come along. Slowly, students from Wavell State High School and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Independent School began arriving. Alongside these students came their family members, school teachers and AIME Mentors.

I hadn’t told the students exactly what they would be seeing, so their anticipation rose with the arrival of the team from the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, who brought backpacks filled with surprises.

“The performance of Belong is a strong

spiritual connector, and we watched without words.”

Darren Brady AIME Brisbane Program Manager

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As we entered the backstage area, Stephen Page, Artistic Director at Bangarra, greeted us with a massive smile. Talk about celebrity shock! Stephen spoke about how significant it was for the company to have AIME kids at the performance and how grateful he was for us to be there.

Stephen guided us through the backstage maze of corridors and dressing rooms, meeting at each turn with dancers, production managers, costume fitters and makeup artists. We found ourselves in the backstage rehearsal room – that’s when we felt like celebrities ourselves. Cameras were flashing left, right and centre, recording the huge smiles on our faces.

Finally we arrived at a black setting, shrouded in curtains. Through the dark we peered a bright seating area – and quickly realised we were on the Playhouse stage! We hadn’t yet seen the performance, but the backstage tour was an experience in itself.

From the time we took our seats to the final curtain fall, not one word came from the students’ mouths. The performance of Belong is a strong spiritual connector, and we watched without words.

It’s not often that we at AIME get to say thank you to our most important people: the kids who commit to the program. To be able to offer a backstage Bangarra experience is huge! Thank you to Bangarra Dance Theatre, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, our Mentors from the Queensland University of Technology and, of course, our AIME Mentees.

A great celebration for our young people during an important week! !

“It was so amazing for AIME to organise

something like that and it makes me immensely proud to volunteer for

you guys.” AIME Brisbane Mentor

35

AIME for Change ANDREW BAUMAN AIME East Sydney Mentor

“I’m not Indigenous so I don’t think I’m an appropriate candidate for AIME.” Wrong.

“I’m not well-versed with Indigenous culture so I couldn’t possibly mentor an Indigenous student.” Not true.

“I do believe in equal opportunity and a fair go for all, and can assist Indigenous students to strive to achieve.” Deadly.

AIME demystified many doubts I had toward mentoring Indigenous students, allowing me to learn and grow in confidence alongside my appointed Mentee.

I was brought into the AIME family with the belief that to be Indigenous means to be successful. With that motto in mind, every mentoring session highlights the importance of education through tutoring, and challenging social prejudice via cultural awareness.

Regardless of your knowledge of Indigenous culture, all university students have the ability to be AIME Mentors. Being enthusiastic about gaining a wider appreciation of Indigenous Australia and wanting to connect with a young Indigenous person are the key requirements. The level of cultural knowledge I gain from week to week working alongside my Mentee, as they grow proud and strong in their culture, is amazing.

Whether tutoring or socialising, there is always great discussion to be had as I become more comfortable in my mentoring role. Nothing beats the feeling of connecting with your Mentee and knowing you’re assisting them learn more about their past, while also talking about their aspirations. Every session proves something new and spontaneous.

The process of sharing stories and listening that occurs between an AIME Mentor and Mentee creates a fun environment where attitudes continue to be re-shaped and friendships strengthened from week to week. Now that’s deadly. !

“The level of cultural knowledge I gain from week to week working alongside my Mentee,

as they grow proud and strong in their culture,

is amazing.” Andrew Bauman

AIME East Sydney Mentor

!!!

Mentees and Mentors working through the Art Session at the University of Technology, Sydney.

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School Scoop RACHEL MCAUSLAND Aboriginal Community Engagement Officer Sydney Secondary College Leichhardt Campus AIME Sydney City Program

My name is Rachel McAusland and I am the Aboriginal Community Engagement Officer at Sydney Secondary College Leichhardt Campus. I have been going to AIME sessions for almost two years with our Year 9 and 10 students.

Some mornings have been very cold, but once the students get into their groups we start to defrost. This year we have nine students attending, two of whom are in Year 10 and, having attended AIME last year, really enjoyed the program and decided to keep with it.

This year has been a massive turnaround for these boys.

They are now both doing public speaking – each week they present an Acknowledgment to Country in front of almost 650 people in our school assembly!

In a session earlier this year, both boys did a video interview speaking with Jack Manning Bancroft. I felt so proud of the boys agreeing to the interview with next to no time to prepare what they were going to say at all. Once they finished their session I asked if they would consider doing another interview with Jack. Without any hesitation, they both said yes.

I feel like AIME is really working for these boys, they enjoy going to every session weekly. They are now starting to speak up when they need help with classroom work, including assignments. From shy young lads they have really grown out of their shell.

The great achievement these boys are showing makes me feel very proud to be an Aboriginal worker in the school and be able to help these young men grown into strong leaders and possibly go onto university one day. !

Full house at AIME Sydney City for the Letter Writing Session. Mentees addressed their letters to role models including Karla Grant and Warwick Thornton.

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AIME TV

AIME TV IS BACK!!! Get the August lowdown on all things AIME – join AIME Gold Coast Program Manager Robbie Miller as he shares his story, hear Hip Hop from kids across the east coast and see the AIME National Hoodie Day recap.

See if you can catch the footage from the vault!

Click on the image to watch.

AIME NATIONAL HOODIE DAY – A DAY TO REMEMBER Follow the journey from the first AIME National Hoodie Day in 2010, to where we now stand.

Click on the image to watch.

SBS NEWS – HOODIE INDIGENOUS CAMPAIGN Watch the SBS World News Australia story on AIME National Hoodie Day.

Click on the image to watch.

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