Camp inspires young Indigenous leaders

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Tags: business, Indigenous, summer-2011

James Uta jams with award-winning singer Jessica Mauboy during the inaugural Yalari Horizons leadership camp held at UQ

Earlier this year the UQ Business School hosted 26 Indigenous high school students from across the country at the first Yalari Horizons leadership camp aimed at inspiring and supporting young achievers.

The event was held during NAIDOC Week at the St Lucia and UQ Business School downtown campuses where executives and celebrities, including many of Aboriginal descent, shared their success stories.

The camp aimed to inform students about the obstacles they may face when entering the business world and to inspire them to aim high so that they can overcome these challenges.

Four UQ MBA students hosted the camp as part of the Business School’s Social Economic Engagement Program, which encourages students to volunteer for community projects.

Seven Australian leaders spoke about their own backgrounds, struggles and achievements on their way to becoming successful in each of their fields.

Students were left inspired and moved by the speakers, particularly by a special performance and talk by 2006 Australian Idol runner-up and chart-topping singer Jessica Mauboy.

Ms Mauboy described her transformation from a shy aspiring singer in Darwin to an award-winning artist who spent the early part of 2010 working with leading producers and singers such as Snoop Dogg and Ludacris on her new album.

Another highlight of the event was a dinner hosted at Southbank Parklands where the students were addressed by Paralympic swimmer and former world record holder Karni Liddell.

Other speakers included Jack Manning Bancroft, the founder and CEO of Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME), Michael Combs, founder and CEO of CareerTrackers Indigenous Internship Program, and Neil Willmett, founder and Managing Director of Willmett Consultants.

“Each of the speakers were very honest and approachable and managed to connect on a deep level with the students,” Head of the Business School Professor Iain Watson said.

“I believe this camp was not only a great success but will have a lasting impact on the students’ lives and future career choices.”

By Danielle Burke

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