The graduation for the Bowarring Mentor Program, set to be held at the TAFE's Echuca campus on Saturday, will see the group stand in front of the Aunties and wider family members to be recognised as aspiring leaders.
“As a vocational education provider, we are immensely proud to be supporting Candace Williams and her work to deliver this mentor program,” Bendigo TAFE chief executive Sally Curtain said.
“As an Echuca woman, she understands the importance of family and community connection.”
The Bowarring Mentor Program focuses on community, culture, art and self-belief.
“Candace — a Wiradjuri, Yorta Yorta and Gunnai woman — is showing the next generation of community leaders they have every opportunity ahead of them and they are entitled to be able to make their own life choices,” Ms Curtain said.
“Providing dedicated support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students is an important way of encouraging more indigenous Australians into the TAFE system.”
Indigenous Australians currently make up about three per cent of the student population at Bendigo TAFE.
A recent Victorian Government initiative announced $4.2 million in funding to increase the number of Koorie liaison officers and student support officers right across the state’s TAFE sector.
Bendigo TAFE has Koorie support staff at its Echuca campus, playing a critical role in supporting students from enrolment right through to the end of their training.
“Like the work Candace has begun with the Bowarring Mentor Program, we too can connect Echuca students with a mentoring and pastoral care service,” Ms Curtain said.
“We want to see our indigenous students thrive at TAFE and be confident to explore higher education and future employment opportunities.
“Congratulations to the graduates of the Bowarring Mentor Program; we look forward to continuing our partnership with Candace and her team at our Echuca campus.”
Find out more about Bendigo TAFE's course offerings and the support services available online at bendigotafe.edu.au
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