Central Graduation 2013

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from around 50 communities from the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia will gather to receive their formal qualifications at the Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education graduation ceremony to be held at the Desert Peoples Centre, Alice Springs, Northern Territory on Friday 6 September.

Graduates will be awarded qualifications in a wide range of industry areas that will assist students to achieve employment outcomes or contribute to more sustainable community life. Students will graduate in the fields of:

It will be a joyful day for graduating students, their families, friends and communities and for Batchelor Institute it represents another key milestone of high achievement in its continuous commitment to building a skilled Indigenous workforce in industry.

April Campbell, a graduand in the Diploma of Education Support will deliver the response on behalf of all graduands. April is a highly dedicated assistant teacher employed at Ti Tree School. She is extremely committed to education and is passionate about embedding a strong language and culture program into the school curriculum.

‘I want to be a role model for the youth in my community and for the next generation. I would like to encourage students to complete their studies and not give up. There are many opportunities for employment in the industry and students can become role models for their community’April Campbell

The ceremony will begin at 2pm with an Academic procession of lecturers and graduating students led by the popular Drum Atweme group of the Yipirinya School who will provide entertainment for the audience.

An inspiring Indigenous lecturer in Family Wellbeing, Dawn Ross who is a local Alice Springs resident, will be the Master of Ceremonies and will give a ‘Welcome to the Precinct’ address. Ms Ross has a high level of enthusiasm and respect for Indigenous knowledges and cultures. Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation traditional owner, Rosalie Kumalie Riley will lead the ‘Welcome to Country’.

Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women’s Council Coordinator Andrea Mason is to be the keynote speaker. Ms Mason is committed to delivering long term positive change to the communities across the NPY lands. Her relationship to the NPY lands is strong both professionally and personally. Her mother’s people are Karonie people in Western Australia and her father was born in the Ngaanyatjarra lands between Jameson and Warburton. Ms Mason believes her role as Coordinator is one of being a custodian for the hopes and dreams of the women of the NPY lands and so she is committed to doing all she can to see those dreams realised.

Batchelor Institute Director Adrian Mitchell looks forward to participating in the ceremony as it is an opportunity to honour the achievements of Batchelor Institute students.

‘Our Vocational Education and Training, Higher Degree by Research programs and Higher Education courses (delivered through the ACIKE partnership with Charles Darwin University) are closely aligned to key employment opportunities, particularly in regional and remote Australia. Batchelor Institute remains committed to being a significant contributor to the empowerment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people both in the Northern Territory and nationally.

Our dedicated staff in Central Australia have substantially improved the outcomes for Indigenous students from the education and training they deliver; and the support and collaborative relationships they have established with industry, the community and other organisations are second to none.

The culturally appropriate environment that Batchelor Institute prides itself on, complemented by the outstanding facilities at the Desert Peoples Centre that we share with our partner the Centre for Appropriate Technology, also provides students with a supportive professional learning environment that enables them to pursue their aspirations and become role models and leaders within their community.’ Batchelor Institute Director Adrian Mitchell

The graduation will be witnessed by students, local residents, organisations and people from many communities. Everybody is welcome to join in this very special occasion and to take the opportunity to explore the Alice Springs campus.

The ceremony will be broadcast live by CAAMA radio.

All graduates and guests are welcome to enjoy the afternoon tea