Proud young mob celebrated with scholarship presentation
Sixteen proud and also high achieving young mob were recognised for their efforts this evening in our latest round of the Young, Black and Proud Scholarship.
Our YBPS program supports and celebrates our young mob who exhibit outstanding talent in the arts, sport or academic fields.
This year we also partnered with the Queensland Family & Child Commission (QFFC) again. With their funding contribution we accepted applications from all across the South-East Queensland region.
Our selection panel was blown away by another great year of applications for the program. The decision was a tough one, but we are proud to present our winners for 2022.
Arts Category Winners
Jayden Leslie
Proud Yorta Yorta and Wiradjuri man Jayden is an up and coming musician with a passion and talent for composing and recording his own pieces. He’s also keen to share his talents with the community and continue being a positive role model for his younger siblings.
Isabella Eurell
14-year-old proud Yugambeh woman Isabella is a talented digital artist. She has a passion for creating pieces that carry traditional methods into modern times. Isabella is also a talented filmmaker with her documentary film ‘Barcoola’ recently winning the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation Yarning with Elders competition. She performs in the Yugambeh youth choir and has also been lucky enough to have performed at the Commonwealth Games.
Aimy Park
Aimy is a proud Quandamooka artist with a passion for creating artwork that puts a modern twist on traditional Indigenous art. Her business Art by Aimy tells stories about mental health, self-love and healing. She uses her art as an opportunity to explore how culture can assist in mending the relationship between mind and body. She is also currently studying a Bachelor of Professional Communications at CQUniversity majoring in Journalism.
Olli Simmonds
Proud Gayiri and Darumbal man Olli is a lyrical and contemporary dancer and a natural storyteller. At only 12 years old and with a talent for engaging audiences and breaking down barriers. The sky is the limit for Olli. He has a passion for promoting awareness and understanding of culture and enjoys contributing to his community any chance he gets. He currently volunteers his time to teach young dancers at his studio on top of the 4 hours per day he spends training and keeping up to date with his schoolwork.
Sabre Barr
Proud Gubbi Gubbi woman Sabre is no stranger to the spotlight. At only 17 years of age she’s ready to take centre stage with a career in musical theatre. She most recently performed at The J Theatre, Noosa Heads and The Events Centre, Caloundra, in a leading role in their adaptation of the Sound of Music. Sabre has also been successful in gaining a position in the Broadway Artist Alliance program. She’ll be heading to New York City in 2023 to learn the ropes from the best in the business.
Academic Category Winners
Hannah Gilkes
Proud 16-year-old Wodi Wodi woman Hannah has a passion for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. She enjoys coding and also has her sights set on a Bachelor of Computer Science. She has channelled her passion for coding into a school-based business called Drone Flight School and has also been recognised with an Australia Defense Force Future Innovators Award for this program.
Tommas-John Haynes
Proud Wakka Wakka man Tommas-John takes his education seriously and has worked hard on his studies to be part of the ATAR program early at only 15 years of age. He hopes to attend university and expand upon his passion for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Kealey Griffiths
Proud Yuggera woman Kealey has recently completed her Bachelor of Science. She also began her Master of Public Health majoring in Indigenous Health in July of this year. She has her sights set on completing her medical degree at the University of Queensland with the goal of joining the ever-growing group of Indigenous people working towards accessible and equitable health care for mob.
Chelsea Carkeet
24-year-old Wagiman woman Chelsea is currently studying a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the Queensland College of Arts. Blending her passion for arts with her passion for history and uncovering the story of her ancestors, Chelsea is currently working on an art piece that highlights the effects World War 2 had on her ancestors. She uses drawn animation to bring their stories to light and uses visual language to communicate the multifaceted effects of intergenerational trauma.
Jarrason Purcell
Proud Wakka Wakka man, Jarrason is a teacher aid at Indooroopilly State High School. He works primarily with students with disabilities, supporting them both academically and socially. Jarrason hopes to use his scholarship funds to attain his certificate 3 in education support. He hopes to gain more knowledge and skills for his career and better assist the students he works so hard to support.
Sports Category Winners
Landen Smales
Proud Noongar man Landen is a junior competitive surfer. At only 15 years old, Landen recently competed in the Australian Indigenous Surfing titles in Bells Beach and placed 1st in the Under 18 Men’s shortboard category and 1st in the Open Men’s longboard category, taking home the title of Australian Indigenous Champion for 2022.
Louis Jackson
At only 8 years of age, proud Wuthathi boy Louis has discovered talent for an uncommon sport, ice hockey. From the minute he hit the ice Louis was a natural, spending all his free time learning everything he can about ice hockey and practising his puck handling as much as possible. He has also since been invited to join the under 9s team, the Southern Stars and is ecstatic to be a part of the team.
Kameryn Bray
Proud Wiradjuri woman Kameryn is an all-rounder sports star, representing Queensland in touch football and cricket and making Met East school sport in rugby league. She was also chosen to represent Queensland in Indigenous Women’s cricket. A passionate sports star since age 5 she loves being part of a team and making new friends.
Tylah Orcher
Tylah is a proud Gamilaroi woman who dreams big and sets goals to match. She’s an up and coming sports star with a passion for inspiration and mentorship to younger community members. She already has a range of wins under her belt and can’t wait to be a role model for other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids.
Aaliyah Sheppard
Proud Quandamooka woman Aaliyah has been playing netball since 6 years old and shows no signs of slowing down. The youngest player ever to make the Sapphire Series, Aaliyah has her sights set on the Queensland Firebirds and one day the Australian Diamonds. Her goal is to increase the representation of Indigenous women at the top level of the sport and to serve as an inspiration for other Indigenous women.
Clive McCormack
Proud Bundjalung man Clive is kicking goals with an impressive list of soccer achievements under his belt. Playing for regional and state teams and representing Queensland in the National Indigenous Championship, he’s a star in the making. This level of achievement doesn’t come easily, but Clive is dedicated and committed, playing or training regularly to maintain his skills and constantly improve.
We held an official presentation for scholarship recipients at ATSICHS Brisbane. Special guests included ATSICHS Brisbane Board Chair Melody Ingra, QFCC Commissioner Natalie Lewis, QFCC Principal Commissioner Luke Twyford and also Deadly Choices Ambassador Steve Renouf.
Congrats to these deadly young mob for their drive and also determination to follow their dreams for the future.
Check out the photos below!
