2020 ANNUAL REVIEW Contents
Chairman’s Letter 1
CEO Report 2
Board and Staff Composition 3
Mission 4
Vision 5
Infograph and Timeline 6
WirraHub 10
Programs 12
Supporters 20 Chairman’sCEO Letter
Firstly, let me say how proud I am of the work that the Wirrpanda Foundation does and the staff that deliver outstanding results. We have grown substantially over the last 10 years and continue to focus on education, employment and business opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. We do this by working together to empower and build capacity amongst individuals, their families and their communities.
We have established a number of successful programs in Perth, regional Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, ACT, and Queensland. The Wirrpanda Foundation has now reached over 35,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people nationally. We continue to prioritise employing strong and passionate Indigenous mentors to deliver our programs with 101 staff employed nationally, 74% of whom are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
The Foundation’s suite of culturally appropriate programs is designed and delivered by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Our programs increase the retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in school; assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander jobseekers into sustainable meaningful employment or further vocational training and/or study; work to sustain employment opportunities through cross-cultural training and individualised support for employers; provide support and mentoring to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in touch with the youth justice system; cultivate competitive, sustainable and resilient Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses; provide employment services to assist in the reintegration of individuals back into the community after leaving prison; and improve the overall health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.
Current programs include the Deadly Sista Girlz™ Program, Wirra Schools RSAS, Bunuru Youth Transition Program, Full Circle Partnership in the West Kimberley, the Plan 2day 4 2morrow™ (P242) Employment Program, Community Development Program, Vocational Training and Employment Centre (VTEC), Transition to Work Program, ParentsNext, ReSet Reintegration Services, Wirra Coding Club, Wiluna Sport and Recreation and the Wirra Hub.
With the support of the Australian Government, under the Indigenous Business Sector Strategy, 2020 saw the opening of the WA Indigenous Business and Employment Hub, also known as the Wirra Hub. The Wirra Hub assists the Indigenous business sector to thrive in WA. Through the Hub we provide support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people wanting to start, grow or sustain their businesses. With in-house business coaching plus direct access to independent, professional support we inspire and empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to build their business capability. We are proud of the development of the Hub throughout this year and as of January 2021 the Wirra Hub is supporting over 140 businesses throughout Western Australia.
Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions and the uncertainty of in-person events, we made the difficult decision to cancel our 2020 Annual Gala Dinner. Since 2007, the Dinner has been held to help raise vital funds to assist in the operations and delivery of our programs. Whilst our fundraising efforts were impacted, the health and safety of our staff and community remains our priority and we are hopeful that we will be able to once again hold our special event in due course.
In closing, I would like to extend my sincerest thanks to our program partners who, during a tough year for many Australians, continued to support us in providing increased opportunities for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians; particularly to the National Indigenous Australians Agency, Shell Australia, BHP, Lotterywest, Clayton Utz, Deloitte, West Coast Eagles Football Club, Town of Victoria Park and the Western Australian State Government. They are wonderful partners and the contributions received are instrumental to the success of the Foundation.
We are excited about the future and look forward to continuing to make a difference.
Alan Cransberg Chairman
1 CEO Report
I am pleased to be presenting the 2019-2020 Annual Review after what was an unexpected and unprecedented year for all Australians. The pandemic brought many challenges faced all across the globe and we know we have been very lucky throughout Australia and Western Australia particularly.
There is no doubt these circumstances still forced us to adapt quickly, and I am incredibly proud of our team for adjusting to new norms so rapidly. In early 2020 our programs temporarily moved from face-to-face support to online. This meant our mentors could continue to engage with and assist our participants, place them into the workforce and offer support where needed. Our Deadly Sista Girlz mentors delivered food hampers to those families who needed a little extra support at this time, as well as creating hygiene packs for participants and delivering sessions virtually. We were however very lucky that as an essential service we were able to get back to face to face delivery for many of our programs rather promptly.
A highlight of 2020 was the opening of the WA Indigenous Business and Employment Hub or Wirra Hub for short. With the support of the Australian Government, under the Indigenous Business Sector Strategy, The Wirra Hub supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people wanting to start or grow their business. The Wirra Hub has been able to support over 140 businesses already with our physical premises in Burswood as well as through a number of pop-up events supporting those in regional Western Australia. We expect these numbers to continue to grow as our longer-term vision is that we see the entire Indigenous Business sector thriving and to increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses in the WA supply chain. This would have the flow-on effect to the wider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community through increased capacity, employment and wealth.
Through what was a difficult year for many businesses our suite of employment programs continued to support our jobseekers and employers in whatever capacity they could and I am very proud that we were able to assist 323 jobseekers into employment. Coming from an employment services background, I know the profound impact long-term, meaningful employment can have not only on the individual but their family and community as well.
2020 saw a move to consolidating what has previously been period of rapid growth for the Foundation. Delivery continued across our existing programs throughout the 2019/20 period including Plan 2day 4 2morrow ™ (P242) Employment program, Vocational Training and Employment Centre (VTEC), Transition to Work, Community Development Program (CDP), ParentsNext, ReSet Onslow Family Support and Wirra Schools RSAS.
After a year like no other, I would like to thank all our funders, donors, and partners, and make special mention of the National Indigenous Australians Agency, Shell Australia and BHP. Your continued support throughout these tough times has allowed us to continue our unwavering commitment to enabling our First Australians and for that we extend our sincerest thanks.
Lisa Cunningham CEO, Wirrpanda Foundation
2 TheCEO Board
Alan Cransberg Trevor Nisbett Richard Godfrey David Wirrpanda CHAIRMAN DEPUTY CHAIRMAN TREASURER DIRECTOR
Michael McNulty Amanda Healy Troy Cook Brad Collard DIRECTOR DIRECTOR DIRECTOR DIRECTOR
2020
3 Mission
Our Mission “To lead the provision of education, employment
and business opportunities. We influence and
inspire the empowerment of our people through
our diverse work force, which is led by our First
Australian role models.”
Our People
Strong, successful and passionate Indigenous
mentors are employed to deliver our programs,
with 74% of our current employees being
Indigenous. We currently employ 101 staff
members nationally, all of whom have completed
culturally appropriate facilitator and mentor
training. The Foundation is committed to
fostering community partnerships
and engaging and empowering
families and community groups to break
the cycle of disadvantage.
4 Vision
Our Vision “The Wirrpanda The Wirrpanda Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation with DGR item 1 status, Incorporated
Foundation is on 11 January 2002 and endorsed as an income
tax exempt charity on 12 February 2002. The recognised as a Foundation is a wholly owned separate legal leader enabling entity of Indian Pacific Limited, trading As West Coast Eagles Football Club. The West Coast
First Australians to Eagles provide financial, IT and media services
under a shared service agreement that ensure the thrive.” Foundation’s administration and staffing costs are
kept to a minimum. The Foundation is governed by
a separate Board of Directors. The eight Directors
possess extensive commercial and strategic
acumen and meet four times a year. The focus of
the Board continues to be strong governance and
financial management.
5 Our current funding breakdown is approximately: o COVID-19 restrictions the Wirrpanda Foundation *
A Due t nnual Gala Dinnerwas cancelled for 2020 Corporate 5% Fundraising/Donations 3%* State Government 17% Federal Government 75% Subiaco FC the Wirrpanda 35,000 Foundation hasreached appr. 35,000 Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander doors in2005at the Since openingour People nationally staff are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander of Deadly Sista Girlz 100% Women Programs across education, employment &business 13 Deadly Sista Girlzin2020 Girls reached through 1465 Non Indigenous Indigenous
101 Staff 74% of which are Indigenous
285 140 4,000 1,320
Adult justice participants Indigenous Businesses Since 2007 Deadly Since 2008 the Wirrpanda mentored through Reset serviced through the Sista Girlz has reached Foundation has assisted in 2020 Wirra Hub in 2020 over 4,000 Indigenous over 1,320 jobseekers into girls and is currently employment and provided delivered to 11 sites ongoing mentoring nationally CHAIRMAN’STimeline LETTER
2001 2002 2005
l West Coast Eagles registered David l David Wirrpunda Foundation Inc l David Wirrpunda Foundation Inc Launch Wirrpunda Foundation Inc register for Income Tax Exemption at the old Subiaco Football Club l Endorsed as Deductible Gift l Wirra Club Program commences Recipient (DGR)
2013 2012 2014 l Opened Kwinana Office to support l Opened Victorian Office to the delivery of the P242 Happy support the delivery of DSG l Change of Name from David Wirrpanda Families Employment Program, programs Foundation Inc to The Wirrpanda Parenting Program, Driver Training Foundation Ltd l National NAIDOC Person of the Program, Deadly Brotha Boyz Year Award – David Wirrpanda l Opened Great Southern Office in Albany Program and DSG Program to support the Wirra Sports Program and l The DSG program named a l National DEADLY AWARD for the role of the Great Southern Aboriginal best practice program by the Excellence in Education for DSG Sports Development Manager position Commissioner of Children and Program Young People in WA. l National NAIDOC Youth of the Year l DSG was named a best practice Award – Kate Malpass program in the AMP Foundations l Opened ACT Office in Canberra to Best of Every Woman: An support the Wirra Club Program overview of approaches for philanthropic investment in 2015 Aboriginal women and girls.
l Launched the Moorditj Ngoorndiak Program in Perth Metro l Launched the Deadly Sistas Program in 2016 Brisbane in Partnership with Institute 2017 of Urban Indigenous Health and Office for Women l Decision to move to Cannington to be closer to many of our participants l Launch of the youth justice contracts: and readiness for our transition to Bunuru in partnership with Outcare the new Lathlain Facility and Full Circle partnership with Life l Foundation attended the SOD without Barriers in the West Kimberley ceremony at Lathlain facility site l Relocation of our Victorian office l Commencement of the Remote to Korin Gamadji Institute (KGI) at School Attendance (RSAS) program Richmond Football Club for Wiluna l Commencement of program delivery in l Establishment of the Western Onslow, WA Australian Training Academy (WATA) l Launch of the Empowering Youth Initiatives employment program: Bidi Waalitj, in collaboration with the West Coast Eagles and the Department of Jobs and Small Business l Expansion of the Deadly Sista Girlz program to include 11 delivery sites across Australia and inclusion of the DSG Football Program l Acquisition of training facility in East Victoria Park
8 2006 2007 2008
l Pilbara Office Opened in Wickham with l Dare to Dream for girls commences and l P242 Employment Program with the support of Rio Tinto develops into the Deadly Sista Girlz (DSG) Bunnings Programs l Change of Name from David Wirrpunda l On My Way Leadership Program in Pilbara Foundation Inc to David Wirrpanda l Troy Cook Health and Fitness Program in Foundation Inc Pilbara 2011 l Dare to Dream at Balga SHS 2009 l Moved head office from Subiaco Oval to Central Institute of Technology in Leederville 2010 l Commenced P242 Employment l Commenced DSG in Doonside and Program in Partnership with Central Queanbeyan in NSW Institute of Technology based in l Commenced the Indigenous Employment l Commenced DSG in Healesville in VIC Leederville Program (IEP) with Central Institute of l Commenced DSG Program in Broome Technology with the support of Shell Australia
2020
2019 l Opened the Wirra Hub: WA Indigenous Business and Employment Hub in 2018 Burswood, WA, supporting over 140 l Relocated operations to our new home Indigenous Businesses. at Mineral Resources Park, alongside l Our partnership with the Town of l ReSet program launched the West Coast Eagles in Lathlain Victoria Park, West Coast Eagles and l Commencement of the ParentsNext l Commenced delivery of the Community Perth Football Club won the national Program, in collaboration with Stirling Development Program in the Yaaliku award for the Community Based Skills Training Region of WA Initiative of the Year at the 2020 l Midland/Perth North office opened l Design and Delivery commenced Parks and Leisure National Awards of l Expansion of our VTECs to include the for the WA Indigenous Business Excellence. and Employment Hub (Wirra Hub) in Goldfields, Wheatbelt and South West l Onslow Family support won the Onslow Regions Burswood. Chamber of Commerce and Industry l VTEC program alongside Skill Hire l Expansion of the Deadly Sista Girlz People’s Choice Award Program to include 14 full-time delivery named as a finalist for the Innovation l Commenced Stronger Communities in Indigenous Employment award at the sites Program, providing intensive mentoring NESA Excellence Awards l Extension of Bunuru and Full Circle support to Indigenous Jobseekers Youth Justice Programs of a further 2 years
9 CHAIRMAN’SWirra LETTERHub
Wirra Hub increasing Indigenous Business Capacity
With the support of the Australian Government, under An important part of the services the Hub offers to its clients the Indigenous Business Sector Strategy, the Wirrpanda is access to networking and workshop events. Over the year, Foundation opened the Wirra Hub in February 2020. four networking events were held at the Hub, which saw over 120 participants attend. For those wanting to upskill, 12 free With a new space and five dedicated business coaches, workshops were hosted, covering everything from how to the Hub hit the ground running and began connecting with understand business financials and marketing a business to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses from across how to prepare a tender, employment contract basics and tax the state. clinics.
Although hindered by having to shut our doors to the public The Hub also commenced a series of Pop Up Regional Hubs during COVID-19 restrictions, our coaches ensured they were as part of its commitment to providing support to Aboriginal still connecting with business owners virtually or by phone. businesses located in Regional Western Australia. Over Once reopened and welcoming back clients into the space, the year, seven Regional Pop Up Hubs were hosted across the Hub once again become a space for Indigenous business Bunbury, Carnarvon, Mandurah, Kalgoorlie, Karratha and owners, service providers and corporates to connect, seeing Port Hedland. These Pop Ups saw a total 116 attendees, over 1500 visitors through its doors this year. who all heard from organisations presenting future work opportunities in their regions.
After a busy year, the Hub now has 140 clients, all from a range of difference industries including mining, music, trades, art and hospitality. With each client having access to the Hubs meeting rooms, short-term office space, laptops, WiFi and expert advice from coaches, the Hub has created a space where Aboriginal and Torres Strait businesses in Western Australia can thrive.
10 11 Programs
Deadly Sista Girlz Wirra Schools (Remote School Attendance Strategy) Delivered by strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander role Our “Wirra Schools” Remote School Attendance Strategy is a models, Deadly Sista Girlz is a culturally appropriate healthy community-focused program run in partnership with Wiluna lifestyle program which aims to improve engagement and Remote Community School in the Goldfields town of Wiluna. education amongst school-aged Aboriginal and Torres Strait RSAS aims to improve school attendance for Aboriginal and Torres Islander girls. Participants are enabled to make informed decisions Strait Islander children by working together with families and the about their personal health and well-being to lead a positive and wider community to ensure attendance, retention and attainment healthy lifestyle. at school. Wiluna based mentors engage other community members and services to work together to overcome any potential The Program focuses on building self-esteem and confidence, pride barriers that may prevent children from regularly attending school in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identity, having practical through organising rewards, mentor visits, sport and recreation cultural contribution in the community, positive social interactions, activities, community events and supporting families with daily building relationships based on mutual respect, encouraging active responsibilities. self-development and yarning about sexual and women’s health, drug and alcohol abuse, road safety, healthy nutrition, financial Funder: literacy and healthy relationships.
Funder:
12 Education
Onslow Family Support Wirra Club (Lathlain) The Onslow Family Support Program works with Aboriginal As part of the Town of Victoria Park’s Community Benefits families in Onslow and the Bindi Bindi community with the Strategy, The Wirrpanda Foundation delivers Wirra Club Lathlain, primary aim of improving school attendance, and capacity in parents and caregivers. Local mentors work with the community a weekly engagement program for local youth. Wirra Club utilises and local services to provide support and overcome any barriers our strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander role models to that may prevent children from regular school attendance. deliver activities focusing on a mix of health, wellbeing, physical Intensive mentoring is provided to families and covers support for activity and digital literacy skills such as coding, photography and establishing routines, school pick-ups, dealing with departmental robotics. As part of Wirra Club and in partnership with Firetech agencies, paperwork and medical appointments. and Curtin University, Wirra Coding Club is also delivered. Coding Funder: Club is a tailored digital literacy program which commenced initially as a school holiday intensive and has since progressed to weekly sessions. The program aims to improve the digital and technology literacy of Indigenous children by providing increased access to technology and digital skills education.
13 Education
National Win for Wirra Club Partnership
The partnership between the Wirrpanda Foundation, Town General Manager of Community Development, Troy Cook said of Victoria Park, West Coast Eagles and Perth Football Club the Foundation was very proud of the partnership between won the national award for the Community Based Initiative the Wirrpanda Foundation, West Coast Eagles, Town of of the Year at the 2020 Parks and Leisure National Awards of Victoria Park and Perth Football Club. Excellence. “The benefits that are being delivered to the community are After winning the regional award earlier this year, the amazing. We are especially proud of what we are doing here initiative progressed through to the national awards to with the Town of Victoria Park Community Benefits Strategy. compete with other strong projects from around Australia, I’d also like to congratulate the other nominees for all the including Blacktown City Council (NSW/ACT), Fraser Coast great work they are doing,” Cook said. Regional Council (QLD), National Parks and Wildlife Service SA (SA/NT) and Belgravia Leisure (VIC/TAS). Wirra Club is hosted every Wednesday from 3pm, and is open to all local and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth. Launched in December 2019, the strategy enables the project partners to use their strengths to deliver a wide range of programs focusing on outcomes in employment, health, education, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wellbeing, youth engagement and social inclusion.
As part of the strategy, the Foundation engages local youth in the weekly after school program, Wirra Club. Utilising our strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander role models, Wirra Club delivers activities focusing on a mix of health, wellbeing, physical activity and digital literacy skills such as coding, photography and robotics.
14 Employment
Funder: Funder: Plan 2day 4 2morrow (P242) P242 focuses on improving employability of Indigenous job seekers through the development of foundation skills and work readiness. Program delivery combines weekly pre-employment group sessions (Fit 4 Work and Stronger Communities) delivered from our Lathlain Community Facility with individual mentoring Transition to Work support. The Wirrpanda Foundation in partnership with Communicare delivers the Australian Government’s Transition to Work (TTW) Fit 4 Work sessions incorporate presentations from potential initiative in Perth’s South East region, aimed at helping young employers, complimentary service providers (including health/ people and early school leavers to transition to the work force. mental health) with physical activity, mock interviews, budgeting Transition to Work supports young Aboriginal and Torres Strait sessions, Assessment Centres for multiple roles and promotion Islander people aged 15-24 into education, training or employment of healthy lifestyle choices. The Foundation’s mentors deliver the by focusing on practical skills and mentoring support. weekly program and provide mentoring support for participants whilst also improving the health and wellbeing of attendees. Partnership:
Stronger Communities builds capacity within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community by working with participants to develop strategies that overcome vocational and non-vocational Funder: barriers. The program connects participants with appropriate services to ensure they have the best opportunity in achieving their goals. Stronger Communities provides wrap around support by collaborating with government and non-government organisations such as Curtin Tax Clinic, Aboriginal Legal Service, Services Australia, Moorditj Koort, North Metropolitan TAFE and ParentsNext Department of Justice to achieve positive, long-term outcomes ParentsNext supports parents with young children to identify their for participants. education and employment goals and develop a pathway towards future study or work. ParentsNext assists participants to build Funder: confidence, develop skills and access local support services to plan for their future. Our ParentsNext Program is run in partnership with Stirling Skills Training and is the provider for Perth North.
Partnership:
Vocational Training Employment Centre (VTEC) The Vocational Training Employment Centre (VTEC) operates in conjunction with all Foundation programs, with the support and involvement of local Aboriginal communities and their leaders. VTEC connects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander job seekers to guaranteed job opportunities, while providing support to maintain Funder: continuous, meaningful employment with 26 weeks of post- placement mentoring. In 2018 the Wirrpanda Foundation was awarded additional VTEC geographical delivery areas and now covers the Perth Metro, Goldfields, South West and Great Southern Regions.
15 Employment
Community Development Program ReSet The Community Development Program (CDP) is a remote Using an integrated suite of tailored, culturally competent and employment and community development service. CDP supports evidence-based reintegration services, ReSet provides support job seekers in remote Australia to build skills, address barriers to men and women while in prison and after leaving prison. and contribute to their communities through a range of flexible The Foundation’s ReSet team specialise in the employment activities. It is designed around the unique social and labour and education space of the program, and work closely with market conditions in remote Australia. Community Development other providers using a throughcare model aimed at addressing Program participants with activity requirements complete up individual barriers to employment that a person exiting the justice to 20 hours per week of work-like activities that benefit their system may be facing. Our ReSet Reintegration Program forms community. CDP offers a broad range of flexible activities to part of a consortium of partners including Wungening Aboriginal increase our participants’ skills and contribute to their community. Corporation, Centrecare and St Bartholomews House. The program The Wirrpanda Foundation is the CDP provider for the Yaaliku covers connecting with family, community, positive parenting Region, covering Leonora, Laverton, Wiluna, Menzies, Mt Margaret relationships, adjusting to life after prison, finding a place to live and Mulga Queen. and preparing for work.
Consortium:
Funder:
16 Employment
Full Circle Partnership Bunuru Full Circle Partnership provides intensive individual mentoring Bunuru provides intensive mentoring support and development for support to Aboriginal youth involved in the Youth Justice system participants involved in youth justice across the key development in the Kimberley region. Delivered in partnership with Hope areas of education and training with the ultimate aim of reducing Community Services, the program mentors operate in Broome recidivism and providing employment pathways for young males. with participants exiting Banksia Hill Detention Centre, as Delivered in partnership with Nulsen Group, Bunuru has both the well as servicing surrounding communities. The program uses practical and class based elements to develop work readiness. reengagement in school, and other healing programs such as Registered Training Organisation Site Skills provides training Equine Therapy and ‘Reconnection On Country’ weekly excursions and an opportunity for participants to complete a Certificate 1 in to ensure our young participants are supported to acknowledge Resources and Infrastructure Operations. and address offending behaviours and encouraged and guided to make better choices which lead to law abiding and healthy Funder: lifestyles.
Partnership:
Partner:
Funder:
Business Wirra Hub - WA Indigenous Business and Employment Hub The Wirra Hub, also known as the WA Indigenous Business and Employment Hub, assists the Indigenous business sector to thrive in WA. The Hub provide support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people wanting to start, grow or sustain their businesses. With our in-house business coaching - plus direct access to independent, professional support - we inspire and empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to build their business capability. The Wirra Hub also proudly supports the wider business community (across WA’s public, private and not-for-profit sectors) to achieve their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander procurement and employment targets.
Funder:
17 Employment
Corey’s Story
Noongar man Corey Northover was unemployed when he heard about the Wirrpanda Foundation’s Plan 2day 4 2morrow (P242) program, and how it could assist. Connecting with the Foundation, he was put in touch with mentor Melissa to assist him with his job search. Through our P242 program our mentors connect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander job seekers like Corey, to meaningful job opportunities, while providing support to maintain continuous and meaningful employment with post-placement mentoring. Having the preference of working local instead of FIFO to stay close to his family, Melissa put Corey forward for a traineeship opportunity at Roelands Village, Bunbury. Once a mission for children of the Stolen Generation, Roelands Village is now home to a bush food farm where it employs local Indigenous people, 17 of which are participants of the Foundation’s employment programs. Corey gained fulltime employment at Roelands where he is also working towards a formal qualification and will soon have a Certificate III in Civil Construction. Roelands staff have been impressed with Corey’s attitude towards his work, something that mentor Melissa noticed in him instantly. “Corey is a vibrant strong Noongar man and he has been great to mentor.” “He has the natural ability of adapting to different areas of his employment and he isn’t afraid of getting in and being involved with everything,” Melissa said. After now being in fulltime employment at Roelands for over 9 months, Corey is thankful not only for the work and training opportunities but also for the connection to culture it provides him. “The thing I love about it here is having that connection to culture. I’m also gaining so much experience which will help give me access to jobs,” Corey said. He recommends any Indigenous jobseekers to connect with the Foundation to see how they can help. “They have a lot of great opportunities for young people,” Corey said.
18 19 OUR SUPPORTERS The Wirrpanda Foundation would not be able to achieve the level of success it has without the oustanding generosity of our funders including:
20 www.wf.org.au