ISSUE 11 inBRONCOS the community

BEYOND THE BRONCOS LEADERSHIP CAMP ACT FOR KIDS INDIGENOUS ROUND BEYOND THE BRONCOS LEADERSHIP CAMP

OVER 50 STUDENTS TOOK PART IN THE BIGGEST BEYOND THE BRONCOS LEADERSHIP CAMP TO DATE.

Participants travelled from all over Queensland and northern New South Wales to join program ambassadors , Justin Hodges and Ali Brigginshaw as they explored the 2020 theme Your Voice, Your Story.

The program included a host of activities, with students visiting the Queensland Art Gallery, a theatre sport component with Grin & Tonic and an Aboriginal Astrology session with Krystal De Napoli a local Cultural Astronomer.

Students were also treated to guest speakers including recently retired Broncos player , as well as a welcome from Ann Keep of the University of Queensland ATSIS Unit, Karla Hume from Kmart and a special video message from elder Aunty Ruth Hegarty.

2 BRONCOS IN THE COMMUNITY it was a life-changing experience for all involved, not just the students SCOTT PRINCE Broncos Ambassador

The experience proved to be extremely emotional and inspiring for the students, with all going home with a renewed sense of pride in their culture and excitement for what their future holds.

“I met so many new friends and have a new found confidence in myself.” said student Shayla McGill.

The Beyond the Broncos program is proudly supported by the Federal Government.

BRONCOS IN THE COMMUNITY 3 PARLIAMENTARY SHOWCASE

Broncos CEO, Paul White, former club greats and current NRWL stars hosted a special meet and greet at Parliament House to showcase the impact of the work the Broncos do off the field.

The work the Broncos do in the Queensland community is part of the fabric of the club, and this opportunity allowed members to see how their communities are benefiting from the work the Broncos do in the education, employment and health areas to name a few.

Darren Lockyer, Justin Hodges, Matt Gillett and Ali Brigginshaw were just some of the Broncos greats on hand with Broncos Board members to discuss the passion and commitment the club has to the Queensland community.

It is important to our club to give back to the communities who have supported our club, as the Broncos only exist due to their support and loyalty. The club has a unique platform to assist those doing it tough and will continue to do so in years to come.

4 BRONCOS IN THE COMMUNITY ARROW ENERGY LAPTOP DONATION Our partnership is delivering on this Arrow Energy is helping school commitment, and I am students in country Queensland with delighted that we have the donation of laptops to assist with been able to boost its study and homework. effectiveness with these laptops. My hope is that The 25 laptops have been delivered to schools in the Western Downs as it could lead to more part of the Beyond The Broncos Girls than one of these girls Academy program which provides participating in the Arrow mentoring and support for Aboriginal Energy Indigenous tertiary and Torres Strait Islander students Scholarships program in from Years 7-12. years to come. The program is being delivered LEISA ELDER in more than 40 schools across Arrow Energy VP External Relations Queensland and northern New South Wales, aiming to increase attendance rates and leadership amongst Indigenous students.

Brisbane Broncos CEO Paul White said: “Arrow Energy have been a fantastic partner of the Broncos for many years now and this latest donation of laptops is yet another example of how in-touch they are with the community.”

Arrow’s VP External Relations and Tenure Management, Leisa Elder said the company was keen to help foster education opportunities for young people in the Surat Basin region.

BRONCOS IN THE COMMUNITY 5 ALI BRIGGINSHAW VERONICA WHITE NOMINATION 2020

Beyond the Broncos ambassador Ali Brigginshaw is at the top of her game on the field, but it is her desire to help off the field which is the most impressive.

Ali has been nominated for the NRL’s Veronica White medal, which recognises the incredible contributions that so many female players are making to their local communities and beyond.

Besides her work as an ambassador and Student Support Officer for Beyond the Broncos, Ali spends a lot of time giving back to those who need it most, especially in her home town of Ipswich.

Ali goes above and beyond to visit fans in hospitals, giving advice to up and coming league stars and making those around her smile. The club is very proud of the work Ali does on and off the field, and are proud to nominate her for this award.

6 BRONCOS IN THE COMMUNITY ACT FOR KIDS

Brisbane Broncos 2020 Charity Sadly, 39% of the children the Department Partner Act for Kids has recently of Child Safety takes into care have one doubled their service footprint in or both parents addicted to Ice; in some Brisbane North to help save more regions it’s over 50%. vulnerable children’s lives. The keys to the new space at Wooloowin’s The number of children in care where mental Warilda Community Centre were health, substance abuse and domestic delivered by the Minister for Child violence are all present in the family situation Safety, Youth and Women Di Farmer. is more than double the rates of 10 years ago. Brisbane Broncos ambassador Scott Prince attended the opening of the The Brisbane Broncos look forward to new centre which he looks forward to continuing our support of Act for Kids in 2021. visiting later in the year.

This is a wonderful space for disadvantaged and at-risk children and families to come and be supported by the fantastic Act for Kids staff. This organisation does some extraordinary work and it is great to be able to support them. SCOTT PRINCE Broncos Ambassador

BRONCOS IN THE COMMUNITY 7 INDIGENOUS ROUND

The NRL Indigenous Round is a great opportunity to showcase some extremely talented students i thought it would in our Beyond the Broncos be an enjoyable programs, who have spent many experience to do hours carefully creating incredible something new, i’ve boots for some of our players. never painted on boots before. Each with their own story, the boots SIENNA COLEMAN were inspired by the students’ culture Bray Park SHS Student and identity and tell a story of people coming together.

This year’s NRL Indigenous Round theme is Pass Back, Move Forward. The focus is to create space for learning and educating Australians on who the traditional custodians of land on which they reside are. This also aligns with this years NAIDOC theme of Always Was, Always Will Be. An acknowledgement that the land has always been Aboriginal land and will continue to be.

8 BRONCOS IN THE COMMUNITY Our talented students have created their own unique story for the players boots, with Bray Park State High School student Sienna explaining the process behind her work on ’s boots.

Sienna researched Brodie and took a look through his social media to help form the story on his boots. A message which Brodie had posted, “Living Out A Dream” really stood out to Sienna and she based her artwork around this.

“It was one of the quotes on Brodie’s Instagram page, so I put that on the boots. So many people look up to you (Brodie), and young people want to be in your shoes so keep living the dream and keep doing what you’re doing”.

Brodie and his teammates Darius Boyd, , , , Jack Bird and were all presented with the hand painted boots after a training session and Brodie got to hear the story and supportive words from Sienna via video.

BRONCOS IN THE COMMUNITY 9 OUR STORY

this program is helping influence the next generation of aboriginal & torres strait islander women like me.

Keiriana is a proud Wiradjuri woman and part of our Girls Academy program. She was selected as Dakabin State High Schools Indigenous Leader for 2020, a honour which she accepted proudly.

Keiriana says the program has helped her to understand more about her culture, respect and responsibility and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for her.

no matter what, i always love my broncos!

Mavis is without a doubt one of our biggest fans and has supported the club through thick and thin.

When we heard about Mavis’ dedication to the club we had to say thank you and sent her some Broncos merchandise to make sure she was able to look the part when she watches her beloved team play.

We can report Mavis shed some happy tears and has been proudly wearing her shirt ever since!

10 BRONCOS IN THE COMMUNITY BEYOND THE BRONCOS WELCOMES NEW SCHOOLS

Term 3 has been very busy for the The team visited a total of 34 schools Beyond the Broncos program, with in Term 3 and spoke to students four new schools joining the Girls about Culture and Identity. They Academy program and taking part will be on the road again in Term in the program launch and their first 4 to celebrate the hard work the workshops. students have put in this year and their resilience for continuing their Our program ambassadors Scott education in a very disrupted year. Prince, Justin Hodges and Ali Brigginshaw visited all schools to The Beyond the Broncos program is welcome them into the program and proudly supported by the Australian kick things off with the Culture and Government. Identity workshop.

Bellbird Park, Springfield Central, Lowood and Forest Lake high schools are the newest schools to join in the program, with students and teachers very excited to be a part of the Beyond the Broncos family.

“Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students make up a significant portion of our students, and as a growing college looking towards the future we want to build a support team here at Bellbird Park that can help out our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students achieve whatever they want to do and part of that was partnering with the Beyond the Broncos program”, said Michael West, Principal.

BRONCOS IN THE COMMUNITY 11