The Essendon Football Club, in partnership with Anglicare Victoria and Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Cooperative, launched its newest Indigenous education initiative.
‘Taking Flight’ is a cultural immersion program that will see 15 Indigenous children from Country Victoria travel to the Northern Territory.
The seven day leadership and mentoring program will run from 17 – 24 October where the children will visit the Michael Long Academy, local schools and communities and engage in activities such as fishing, cultural tours and art sessions.
Bombers players Courtenay Dempsey, Shaun Edwards and Jake Long will join the trip to mentor the students during the five day program.
CEO Xavier Campbell said the Club was proud of its ongoing support of remote Indigenous partnerships.
“The Taking Flight program will provide an opportunity for Indigenous youth to engage directly with the local communities in the Northern Territory,” Campbell said.
“We hope this new program provides an opportunity for Indigenous youth to learn from great role models that we are privileged to work with and will become the model for future leadership programs involving youth in our North West region and remote communities.”
Anglicare Victoria Community Development Officer, David Law, said the program will provide an invaluable support for Indigenous children to connect with their culture.
"Education is the gateway to personal choice. We must continue to strive to expose young Australians to varied and diverse educational experiences,” Law said.
“We are excited to be part of this new initiative that helps develop skills and understanding among Indigenous children to identify how they learn and retain information to best reach their potential.”
The group that will make the trip.
Essendon Football Club Head of Community, Michelle Murray, said the aim of the ‘Taking Flight’ program was to help emerging leaders develop skills and knowledge to become more involved and proactive in their own communities.
”The Taking Flight program assists young people to identify their own strengths and plan their leadership journey.”
Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Cooperative Health Promotion Coordinator, Dean O’Loughlin thanked the Club for its support for innovation within Indigenous education.
“The club has provided a unique opportunity for Indigenous children from the Wimmera region of Western Victoria to experience the Indigenous culture of the Northern Territory and a chance to gain exclusive knowledge and teachings to take back to their local communities.”
