Back row: Dr Paul Kilvert CE SACE Board, Prof Lester-Irabinna Rigney, Dean Aboriginal Education: Wilto Yerlo, The University of Adelaide.
Front row: Emily Pettersson, Westminster School, The Hon Grace Portolesi MP, Minister for Education and Child Development, Sherbourne Strongways, Port Augusta High School, Casey McNamara, Port Augusta High School.

 

2012 Aboriginal Student Pathways Conference

The 2012 SACE Aboriginal Student Pathways Conference was held on 13 June at the University of Adelaide.

The aim of the conference was to provide opportunities for Aboriginal students from the three school sectors to further explore their study, training and employment pathways. The conference was also designed to inspire students to continue successfully in the SACE, with exposure to a range of Aboriginal role models and leaders from diverse industry pathways.

The Hon Grace Portolesi MP, Minister for Education and Child Development officially opened the conference, telling students about some of her own educational experiences and encouraging them to continue with their SACE studies.

The keynote speech (Take the lead and you will succeed) was presented by Ms Abbey Ramirez-Shillingford. Abbey is a Ngarluma/Yinjibardi woman from the Pilbara Western Australia. She grew up in South Australia where she went to Findon High School. She went on to Flinders University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Law and Legal Practice. Abbey is active in human rights. Having recently returned home to her country, she is now a practicing native title lawyer in the Pilbara Western Australia.

100 students and 27 teachers from 19 schools across the state attended the conference.

 
Students from Scotch College: Brandon Bonney, Shannon Ponter, Peter Ah Sam, Richelle Partiff, Brandon Skeen.   Prof Lester-Irabinna Rigney, Dean Aboriginal Education: Wilto Yerlo, The University of Adelaide