Organisations band together to help students follow dreams

Broome schools have banded together with the Graham (Polly) Farmer Foundation to deliver an innovative program encouraging indigenous youths to follow their dreams.

The Follow the Dream project, in partnership with the Department of Education and the Catholic Education Commission, was officially anointed at a conference last week.

Resources company Woodside has signed a three-year funding agreement to support the project.

Foundation chief executive Neil Jarvis was joined by Woodside vice president Niegel Grazia and guest speakers including manager of Aboriginal Education Edie Wright.

Mr Jarvis said the project was very important for the Aboriginal people of the Kimberley.

Since it was established in 1997, the foundation has established 15 projects around WA, including in Karratha and Port Hedland to support students in years 8 to 12, and in SA and the Northern Territory.

The foundation is actively involved in enhancing the skills and potential of young indigenous people, and helps them relate to the community in general.

Wayne Barker from the Kimberley Land Council, St Mary’s principal Alan Farley and Broome Senior High School principal Gary Downsborough attended the signing.

The program was launched at the start of the term, and has a total of 75 students from Broome Senior High and St Mary’s College.

It is complementary to existing education activities.