Inspiring Koori Youth Dinner
20 boys from the Bairnsdale Academy attended the Inspiring Koori Youth dinner held at the Bairnsdale RSL club on Wednesday evening, August 11. The dinner was held by the RSL in partnership with the Smith Family in which several of our boys participate in their kickass program. The focus of the dinner was to give young indigenous boys the opportunity to meet and talk with local community leaders and also chat with successful people from a diverse range of backgrounds.
Speakers included local GECAG CEO Jason King, local identity Paul Rowe, and Max Lenoy, University lecturer at James Cook University. Max was the first Indigenous person to complete a Masters Degree in Education at Harvard University in the USA. Other guests included Grattan Mullet, Local Elder Billie King, Police Indigenous Liaison Rod Lay, and CEO of Melbourne Victory Geoff Miles.
Max Lenoy's speech about his upbringing in North Queensland living in a small house with a dirt floor in the 70’s, and working from 6am so he could afford shoes and school materials, was particularly inspiring. His message to the boys was very simple: Understand your culture and most importantly live in the moment. You can't change the past be present in everything you do and believe in yourself never what other people tell you.
Paul Rowe's story was equally inspiring from a very troubled past to becoming an Australian champion showed how diversity can actually help inspire you. Clontarf boy Alex Saunders said" The night was great and really inspiring. I got a lot out of the speakers. Especially seeing the sacrifices they made to achieve their goals."
Clontarf boy Richard Harrison was also very impressed saying " Last night was amazing. It showed me the importance of understanding my culture and believing in myself. As Max said " Live in the moment". Paul Rowe's story showed me no matter how hard life hurts you, you can still pick yourself up and achieve your dreams".
In the end a fantastic night was enjoyed by all who attended and showed that with hard work and perseverance anything is possible.
