UQ camp helps Indigenous students reach career goals

Thirty Indigenous high school students will get a taste of university life and explore their tertiary study options at a three-day camp at The University of Queensland from 17 to 19 July.

Now in its fifth year, the Yalari Horizons Leadership Camp allows Indigenous students to learn from others who have overcome obstacles to become high achievers in their field.

UQ Community Engagement Program coordinator Cass Vickers said the camp helped students focus on their goals after high school.

“The event aims to inspire the students with stories from previous camp participants and showcases the wide variety of options and experiences available to them after high school,” Mrs Vickers said.

“We hope they can learn from the experiences of others who were once in their position, and to show them that they can achieve great things while maintaining their connection to country and their community.”

The annual camp is part of UQ’s Yalari Program, which offers secondary school scholarships to Indigenous students from remote and rural communities.

Indigenous lawyer (pictured) Joshua Creamer will speak at the camp.

Mr Creamer, who grew up in Mount Isa, said it had been important to him to have proper guidance during his high school years.

“Growing up in Mount Isa, education was the most important way to break down barriers and achieve what I wanted,” Mr Creamer said.

“I worked at a butcher’s shop during high school and I was lucky to have a boss who encouraged me and gave me good advice.

“Having a good education and people to look up to was very important for me.”

UQ Bachelor of Arts student Tyson Holloway-Clarke said the Yalari Horizons Leadership Camp had been a life-changing event.

“I initially wanted to do something in the sciences, but the Yalari Horizons Leadership Camp showed me that I should go with something I really had a passion for, which is writing,” he said.

“It was a real eye-opener going from my small pond to UQ. The facilities and the resources at UQ are first-class.

“I loved the experience so much that I’ve even been back to mentor at subsequent camps.” 

Former professional rugby league and rugby union player Andrew Walker will run a football clinic for students at the camp.

All Year 11 students who hold Yalari secondary school scholarships are invited to attend.

The Yalari Horizons Leadership Camp is sponsored by the UQ Faculty of Business, Economics and Law.

Media: Faculty of Business, Economics and Law Communications Manager Danielle Koopman, 07 3346 0700, 0402 968 131, d.koopman@uq.edu.au.