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Jobs 4 U 2 - Changing the course of history
Monday, 7 February 2005

Ganbina EO Adrian Appo with McDonald franchisee Andrew Simson

A new education and employment strategy frontlined by Shepparton and Mooroopna’s Indigenous community and major industry leaders has attracted the support of the Telstra Foundation changing the course of history for Indigenous people by not allowing the past to dictate the future.

The history of Indigenous education and employment in the region would indicate a bleak future for the youth of today who are striving to get a fair go at a great Australian life. Ganbina Koori Economic Employment Training Agency, the local Indigenous community and national industry leaders are turning the tide with the "Jobs 4 U 2" Indigenous School-to-Work Project. It’s mission — the project “ will result in the seamless and successful integration of Indigenous youth into the workplace ”.

“ It’s part of Ganbina’s strategic planning process to see Indigenous students achieve the highest possible academic standing by supporting the student, their family and their school,” Ganbina Chief Executive Officer Adrian Appo said.

The Telstra Foundation has recognised the potential of the project, its progressive and innovative negotiations with major industry leaders such as Coles Myer, Vichealth, Woolworths, Harris Scarfe, McDonald’s Family Restaurants and ANZ Bank and has announced $110,000 for the next two years to see Ganbina implement the project’s strategies.

Telstra Foundation Manager Fiona Moore saidshe is particularly impressed by the work of Ganbina and other Indigenous groups working with young people in the Goulburn Valley Indigenous community.

“ I’ve been a regular visitor in the Koori community in the Shepparton area now for quite a few years. While there is still immense ground to make up to enable Koori kids to fully participate and achieve in education, employment, sports and the rest of community life, some strong progress has been made,” Ms Moore said.

“ Through the strength of local leadership and groups like Ganbina and the Rumbalara Football Netball Club, the foundation has been laid for real and lasting achievements by local Koori kids. What’s needed now is for the whole community to get behind them to ensure the results are sustainable .”

While the region has a vibrant economy based on primary and secondary industries associated with the horticulture and dairy industries and is known as the Food Bowl of Australia, the Indigenous community, representing 10 per cent of the population, only shares in 0.18 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (Linqage International 2003) and has an unemployment rate of 77.6%. (Dr. Katrina Alford — SRICEDS November 2002)

The project partners have identified to directly impact these issues and will address:

  • Low retention rates of Indigenous students
  • Low participation rates of Indigenous students in school-industry based programs
  • Lack of access to localised employment by Indigenous youth.

Ganbina Chief Executive Officer Adrian Appo said all project partners acknowledged that keeping children in school was a valuable pathway to a career and that one-on-one school-to-work pathways tailored to individuals was the best option to see young Indigenous people achieving career goals. Schools and families would be involved in the development of the student’s pathway to create a supportive environment for the student.

Part of the Jobs 4 U 2 project plan would see students exposed to jobs and employers during their first year at high school, begin investigating industry sectors in Year 8, exploring career paths in Year 9 and then furthering those choices in Year 10 by gaining work experience placements and after-school work.

Indigenous community leader and Telstra Foundation Board Member Jackie Huggins said the project would provide practical support to break the cycle of unemployment in young Indigenous people and, in doing this, help them reach their full potential.

" This project is a great example of one of the interesting and innovative projects from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities that the Telstra Foundation has funded over the past two years,” Ms Huggins said.

According to Telstra Foundation Chairman Herb Elliott AC, MBE, the foundation was committed to providing opportunities for young people to reach their full potential in all areas of their lives.

“ In rural and metropolitan communities, Indigenous children and young people are seriously over-represented in all common measures of disadvantage including physical and emotional/mental health, juvenile justice, education and employment,” Mr. Elliott said.


“ Since we were established in 2002, the Telstra Foundation has supported a number of Indigenous communities to identify their own priorities and develop culturally appropriate and effective solutions to the many serious issues affecting their children and young people. The Telstra Foundation is very pleased to support this project and we look forward to seeing the results for Indigenous young people in the Goulburn Valley region,” said Mr. Elliott.