Rising Indigenous workforce in Australia’s heartland ‘Alice Springs’

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The graduation ceremony is a testimony to the rising Indigenous workforce in Australia’s heartland ‘Alice Springs’ as 176 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from many communities from the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia were honoured with qualifications for their hard work at the Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education graduation ceremony held at the Desert Peoples Centre, Alice Springs on Friday 6 September.

Batchelor Institute is dedicated to striving to boost Australia’s Indigenous workforce in the remote communities of Australia by delivering ‘quality training programs’ embedded with foundation skills and work readiness for Indigenous Australians which lead to employment outcomes in a range of industries.

At the graduation ceremony, Indigenous students received qualifications that will help them to achieve their personal aspirations and to position them to make a substantial contribution to their communities as professionals, role models and leaders for future generations.
Commendable student achievements:

Batchelor Institute Chair of Council Professor Markham Rose addressed the graduating students, their families and friends and representatives of community organisations.

Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women’s Council Coordinator Andrea Mason was the keynote speaker. Ms Mason is committed to delivering long term positive change to the communities across the NPY lands. Ms Mason said the qualifications Indigenous students received will help them to achieve their hopes and dreams and inspire other men and women in the remote communities of Australia to succeed.

April Campbell, a graduate in the Diploma of Education Support delivered the response on behalf of all graduands. April is a highly dedicated assistant teacher employed at Ti Tree School. Ms Campbell said 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 because education is the key to our community development. There are many opportunities for employment in the industry and students can become role models for their community” April Campbell

An inspiring Indigenous lecturer in Family Wellbeing, Dawn Ross who is a local Alice Springs resident, was the Master of Ceremonies and gave 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 gave the ‘Welcome to Country’.

Batchelor Institute Director Adrian Mitchell honoured the students for their success in completing their chosen course. ‘I know that many of you have had to overcome numerous obstacles during your learning journey and receiving your formal qualification is the testimony to your skills, ability, dedication and persistence and you should be very proud. I know we are and I am sure your family, friends and community are as well.

I would like to acknowledge the efforts of our lecturing and support staff. You should take great pride in your contribution. In recent years we have gone from strength to strength on the back of your efforts, including accessing a number of relevant external funding opportunities that have been the cornerstone to rebuilding our business and getting superior results.

Desert Peoples Centre campus is truly a remarkable facility that Batchelor Institute is proud to be based from, working closely in partnership with the Centre for Appropriate Technology (CAT). It is also a privilege to be a part of the wider Desert Knowledge Precinct co-located with other organisations dedicated to improving their service delivery and the outcomes they achieve for Aboriginal people.’ Mr Mitchell said.

The popular Drum Atweme group of the Yipirinya School provided entertainment for the audience. The ceremony was broadcast live by CAAMA radio.