More than 100 students from the Follow the Dream program have travelled to Perth for the Polly Farmer Foundation careers expo to discover career, education, and training prospects.
The Polly Farmer Foundation, established in the late 1990s by the great Geelong ruckman, was created to support Aboriginal education.
Upon retiring from football, Mr Farmer noticed a lack of Aboriginal representation in key positions and believed empowering Aboriginal individuals through education was crucial for them to take on leadership roles.
The career expo brought together students from as far as Geelong, Alice Springs, Kununurra, Carnarvon and Esperance and regional students from Cannington, Northam, Morley and Belmont to name a few.
Program Manager at the Polly Farmer foundation, Simon Thomson highlighted what makes the Career expo unique to others.
"I think the Career Expo we're holding today gives a really good insight for students to actually meet sponsors and to meet potential employers and education," he said.
"So what are the opportunities for students to get the opportunity to work with Aboriginal institutions? It puts a face to the name and it allows them to say if they see a job coming up with a particular employer or an opportunity with an educational place, they'll know.
"They'll have a face to the name and that's a lot for Aboriginal students."
The career expo motivates students to aspire with a clear purpose and in an environment that fosters a sense of belonging.
After finishing school, Follow The Dream participants are equipped to pursue successful career paths and to serve as leaders and role models within their peer groups, families, and communities.
Follow the Dream coordinator at Albany Senior High School and Alumni, Candice Matthews said the program helped shape her into becoming an educator herself.
"The way that Polly Farmer has shaped my journey to Follow the Dream coordinator is that I went into education purely because I got so much from my Follow the Dream Program that I decided that that's something that I want to participate in, I want to contribute to," Ms Matthews said.
"Since it gave me so many opportunities, me and my siblings wouldn't have been able to achieve what we were able to without Follow the Dream.
"So I just want to support the program, I want everyone to succeed and I want the kids in Albany to succeed.
"And I'm putting all my efforts into trying to make that happen."
Many former Follow the dream students have gone on to great achievements, said Program Manger Ray Garrett.
"I've seen quite a few students become engineers or doctors and other professional professions that have started their career. And, you know, it's really rewarding," Mr Garrett said.
"And I feel quite proud of what the Foundation has done. What the Foundation has achieved for students being in Follow the Dream."
