Partnership supports Indigenous alumni thriving beyond the classroom

Callan Morse
Callan Morse Published September 1, 2026 at 2.30pm (AWST)

A partnership between Queensland non-for-profit Yalari and RACV is set to enable Indigenous graduates to stay connected and supported long after they finish school.

RACV's commitment of $2.5 million over five years will support Yalari's new Alumni Connection and Development Program.

The education charity offers full secondary education scholarships to Indigenous children from regional, rural and remote communities at leading Australian boarding schools.

Its new program will focus on what comes next after graduating and provides responsive support when it is needed most.

The investment will enable a dedicated Alumni Support Team to be embedded in the community, reinforcing graduates' connection to Yalari and guiding them through the milestones of early adulthood.

The three new community-based roles will sit within Yalari's Alumni & Pathways team, and will delivery a range of initiatives to support young mob.

They include a mob meet up series, leadership and skills programs, a storytelling program, a life skills camp and direct support for alumni through a dedicated wellbeing fund.

Martin Gowdie was appointed to head the Alumni Support Team as Alumni Support Manager in August.

Mr Gowdie, who relocated his young family to Queensland to take up the opportunity, said he's excited to follow his passion and is looking forward to making a positive impact.

"After moving to Arnhem Land (Gunbalanya) with my young family to work for a foundation that mentored young aboriginal boys - helping them finish school and find employment - I now have landed at Yalari and I am so grateful for the opportunity to continue this important work in supporting the alumni of Yalari," he said.

"All these young people I met in my previous role, from remote regions of Australia, had one thing in common - they didn't lack aspiration, they lacked opportunity.

"So, with the belief that children shouldn't have less opportunities because of the post-code that they are born in, I followed this career curiosity, and it soon became a passion."

The new role is based on the Gold Coast and will involve extensive travel to remote communities around Australia, allowing Mr Gowdie to connect with people on their homelands.

"I'm looking forward to listening. I am fortunate to be in a role that exists to support others," he said.

"But, as the saying goes, 'people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care'.

"My role is to meet people where they are at and help them on their journey. So, I am looking forward to listening to their stories. Everybody has a story.

"We might all be at different stages of life, but we all share so much in common and have so much to learn from each other."

The new investment deepens the partnership between RACV and Yalari, which was established in 2023.

Across the past four years, RACV said it has helped Indigenous students access quality education and created education and leadership opportunities.

RACV also hosts wellbeing events for Yalari at its resorts in Queensland and Victoria, while helping build Yalari's camp site, which has already hosted several outback camps.

RACV General Manager of Corporate Affairs, Liz Carey, said she was proud to expand RACV's existing relationship with Yalari.

"We've proudly partnered with Yalari for many years to help create opportunities for First Nations young people through education, skills development and connection," Ms Carey said.

"This new investment in the Alumni Connection and Development Program builds on that shared

commitment, ensuring Yalari graduates remain supported as they transition into adulthood and grow as leaders within their communities."

   Related   

   Callan Morse   

Download our App

@natindigtimes
Article Audio

Disclaimer: This function is AI-generated and therefore may mispronounce.

National Indigenous Times

Disclaimer: This function is AI-generated and therefore may mispronounce.