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Travelling from the Northern Territory’s remote Cobourg Peninsula, brother and sister Tristan and Shierese Cunningham have been given a unique opportunity to explore tertiary education opportunities and life away from home.

The visit is an extension of ���״���’s established Indigenous programs and has allowed the students to experience university life first-hand.

Sue Karzis, Director, Partnerships & Engagement, expressed her excitement about the opportunity.

“This is the first time we’ve had students from West Arnhem College attend the program. It’s fantastic to include young people from so many parts of Australia and overseas. The cultural mix enriches the program for all.”

The students flew to Melbourne with Michelle Mccolm, a staff member from West Arnhem College, where they study. For Shierese, the venture marks her first time travelling away from home. 

Of their experience at Trinity and Melbourne, both were emphatic that the city’s cold weather took some getting used to. 

According to Tristan, ‘this experience has opened my eyes to the world. Melbourne is a big city.’

For the 56 students in the Young Leaders Program Social Justice Stream, the week’s curriculum includes a trip to Parliament House, workshops, debates on climate change, guest speakers and an excursion to the zoo.

According to Shierese, ‘I’ve met so many different people. We got a chance to talk about why the land is important to Indigenous people. We explained it’s because it’s our ancestors’ land.’

Back in the Northern Territory, Tristan and Shierese are completing school-based apprenticeships with mining company Energy Resources of Australia’s (ERA) Ranger uranium mine, and will be the first members of their family to graduate in Year 12.

The apprenticeships are part of a successful education partnership between West Arnhem College, the Northern Territory Department of Education and ERA.

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