Approximately 15 per cent of the students at Mooroopna Secondary College are Indigenous. The College has partnered with Ganbina for over 10 years.

Principal Stephen Bolton says: “All our students who work with Ganbina benefit from the program through education motivation, career guidance, personal development mentoring, and sometimes just a shoulder to cry on.

Education is, without doubt, one of the most effective ways that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities can overcome some of the many social and economic disadvantages they currently experience.

For this reason, we think very highly of Ganbina’s mission and methods of helping children complete the highest level of education they can and create great futures for themselves.”

Ganbina works with two-thirds of the Indigenous children at this school from when they start in Year 7 to finish in Year 12.

Principal Ken Murray says, “In the early years, Ganbina provides in-school support for the students. As the students progress through the year levels, the staff from Ganbina encourage them to consider long-term aspirations and goal setting and to investigate the range of post-school options available to them.

It is very much a hands-on approach, helping students with any issues that might be troubling or preventing them from attending school or achieving their goals.

The Ganbina staff also support students by providing information about work experience, traineeships, and part-time employment.”