Indigenous leadership camp

A group of 37 metro and 27 regional indigenous Year 12 students from Clontarf Academies in Perth, Esperance, Karlgoolie, Katanning, Albany, Bunbury and Mandurah recently visited Busselton Baptist camping centre to take part in a community leadership camp.

Activities included volunteering at Meelup beach, William Carey Court aged care, Geographe Community Landcare Nursery, Dunsborough Primary, Iluka Resources, Undalup Corporation and fighting dieback in native bushland known as Windlemere Reserve.

The leadership camp was organised by Clontarf Foundation in conjunction with several regional businesses and community groups and has been strongly supported by the City of Busselton.

Forrest MHR Nola Marino spoke with the group about leadership as well as the positive and negative aspects of social media.

Iluka Resources Human Resources Partner Pippa Colreavy also delivered a presentation on what qualities employers look for in prospective employees for the student’s future endeavours.

Clontarf foundation Regional Manager Michael Lay said the camp was intended to reinforce the student’s leadership roles and facilitate team building.

“The idea behind the camp is to galvanise indigenous year 12 students in the region and demonstrate why it’s so important to complete the high school journey,” he said.

“We want to continue building the student’s capacity to make the transition from school to work, setting goals for the year, and reinforcing the value of employment.”

At William and Carey Court student’s re-oiled benches, played bingo and mini golf, and enjoyed morning tea with the community while at Dunsborough Primary they provided a football clinic.

Friends of Windlemere Reserve Founder Danae Plowman said she was pleased the Clontarf students could help with conservation.

“They were a tremendous help during the day and showed keen enthusiasm in working with us to help protect this rare and valuable area of bushland,” she said.