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Annual Review 2025 20 Years of Walking Together

Acknowledgement ofcountry Yalari acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of this land. We recognise their culture, history, diversity, and deep connection to land, waters, and territorial seas of Australia. We pay our respects to the Elders, past and present, and acknowledge the Yalari office is on Kombumerri country within the lands of the Yugambeh language group of the wider area. We also acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands in which we work Australia-wide, and recognise their culture, heritage, and beliefs.

Cover: Featuring Arnido from The Southport School and Agnes from St Hilda’s School, Gold Coast. Artwork: By Yalari alumna Noami Buchanan of the Wadja Wadja people.

This Annual Review was prepared ahead of the Yalari board meeting on 28 April 2026. Financials and governance information reflect accounts approved at that meeting.

Indigenous place names used throughout follow the ABC Indigenous portal dataset, with precedence given to established Yalari usage and the direct knowledge of those living and working on Country.

Contents Our Story and Impact Message from Our Founder

Message from Our Chair

CORRIE Values

Our Vision and Our Purpose

The Yalari Story

7-9

2025 Impact

10-11

Community and Country Alumni Leading the Way: Strong Communities, Strong Futures

12-13

and Back in Community Student Journey Yalari Ready

School Voices

Helping Every Student Succeed, Belong and Thrive

16-17

Connection Through Shared Experiences

Student Reflections

Class of 2025 and Alumni Class of 2025

A Pathway to Purpose: Courtney Drotini

From Scholar to Student Support: Jazleen David De Busch

22-23

Reflections on Opportunity - A Yalari Alumni’s Journey: Peter Lacey

24-25

Pathways in Practice - Aviation in the Torres Strait: Jemmah Ronsen

26-27

Leadership and Governance Board of Directors

Financial Report

Supporters and Partners A Milestone in Indigenous-led Philanthropy: Jenni Walke

How a Yalari Endowed Scholarship Works

Ways to Walk With Us

32-33

Our Valued Supporters

34-35

Our Partner Schools

36-37

Yalari’s Social Impact in Action

20th Anniversary Honour Awards

AMessagefrom ourFounder The celebrations throughout 2025, and the friends and family we caught up with along country roads and highways, at fundraising dinners, at our schools, in communities, around boardroom tables and at our Outback camps, had me reflecting on 20 years of Yalari with gratitude and humbleness. In truth, the idea of educating an Indigenous child from regional Australia in a high achieving boarding school, was made a reality in 1980 when Mrs Rosemary Bishop, my teacher at Murgon State School, liaised with the Headmaster of Toowoomba Grammar School, Mr William Dent, to offer me a scholarship for my secondary education. Fast forward to 2005 and I was explaining to grandfather ‘Blokey’ Wilson on Palm Island, off the coast of Far North Queensland, what I had in mind; we were going to offer scholarships for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from regional and remote Australia, the opportunity to attend leading boarding schools for their secondary education. ‘What should we call our program?’ I asked him.

“He thought for a moment and replied, ‘Yalari’, before he went on to explain that it meant ‘child’ in the Birri Gubba language of my mother’s people.” And here we are today, supporting 251 students throughout our country, thriving through a quality secondary education, and close to 600 alumni living, working, still learning, and moving about their lives as young contributing and influential adults. There is hope, opportunity, kindness and responsibility. Thanks for joining us in 2025, by both celebrating our 20th year, and for keeping on the journey together as we support our students, alumni and the ongoing purpose of Yalari … educating Indigenous children and empowering the future generation of Indigenous leaders.

WAVERLEY STANLEY AM Founding Director 4

Yugambeh Gold Coast 33.8623° S, 151.2077° E On Kombumerri country

AMessagefrom ourChair Twenty years feels both like the blink of an eye and a lifetime (well almost). From the start, Yalari unapologetically championed Indigenous excellence. What began as a vision for 250 scholarships will see us surpass 900 scholarships in 2026. We focus on where the need and opportunity for impact are greatest - in regional and remote locations. It’s clear that Yalari works. Our impact stretches beyond each scholarship - touching families, communities, and Australia itself. Through Yalari, Indigenous narratives are being rewritten. As Yalari has evolved, we’ve shifted focus from the here and now to setting Yalari up to be a lasting promise - fostering Indigenous excellence for generations to come. We are now taking on the task and challenge of determining Yalari operates for 100 years and beyond. To do so, we must ensure our capital and structures support this ambition, whilst never taking our eye off the things that are both Yalari’s heart, and its secret to success.

“Across twenty years, what has grown most is the depth of connection students, families, communities, and schools walking together.” Accordingly, we’ve reset our strategic priorities (pictured, right). Student outcomes are our focus on continually evolving and providing the best possible support to Indigenous students and families. Alumni connection means deeper engagement, growing the next cohort of Indigenous leaders. Our community of support uplifts us, and ensures Yalari has the capital and backing to fulfil its mission.

Strategic Priority1

Strategic Priority2

Connect our Alumni with Intent

Strengthen our Student Outcomes

The support you give to Yalari is never taken for granted. Thank you to everyone who has walked with us over these first 20 years. With your continued partnership, we’re energised and ready to face the next 20. We invite you to keep walking with us as we build this lasting legacy.

BRUCE DAVIDSON Chair

Strategic Priority3

Expand our Community of Support

Meanjin Brisbane 27.4701 S, 153.0210 E On Yuggera and Turrbal land

Ngarramilmila

Arratye

“My chest is warm when I have compassion. When I have compassion for you, my heart feels good.” Yanyuwa language, Borroloola, NT

“Something really happens after you have been trying to do it for a long time. Right, correct, real.” Eastern Arrernte language, Central Australia, NT

Worpulaendi

Kunakan

“To care and work for others.” Kaurna language, Adelaide Plains, SA

“Strong, resilient.” Kalaw Lagaw Ya language, Torres Strait Islands, QLD

• The ability to focus on the needs of others. • To have empathy for another’s situation or experience. • To encourage, motivate and help where needed. • An attitude of thoughtfulness, kindness and respect. • To listen, care, be genuine and communicate authentically.

• An attitude of accepting the challenge of how to learn and develop through pressure and challenges. • To never give up. • The ability to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and try again.

Wuden fala

“Show yourself.” Ngan’gi language, Daly River region, NT

Minidja

“True.” Bunuba language, Fitzroy Crossing, WA

“Coming together.” Yugambeh language, Gold Coast, QLD

Kemerkemerkemer

“All.” Meriam Mir language, Torres Strait Islands, QLD

• To try new things or ways of doing things.

• The ability to value and embrace the diversity of experience, backgrounds, views and thoughts of others. • Treating all people like your own mob, your family, because everyone is important.

Gilbruk

Dalungal

• The capacity to be open-minded, approachable and willing to listen to the views and opinions of others.

“Respect.” Taungurung language, Central VIC

Yindyamngidyal

“Respect.” Wiradjuri language, Central NSW • The way of treating or thinking about someone that demonstrates valuing that person and showing esteem and honour for another (including their views and beliefs). • Treating people how you want to be treated. • Continually striving for improvements.

Wumginy Garalbu

“Excellent, excellent person.” Taungurung language, Central VIC

Marrung

“Excellent.” Wonnarua language, Coastal NSW • An attitude of “doing the right thing” to your highest possible ability. • Taking pride in what you do. • Continually striving for improvements.

VisionandPurpose Our Vision

Yalari’s vision is to be one of Australia’s great enduring educational and leadership foundations empowering Indigenous people from regional and remote Australia.

To create equitable opportunities and outcomes for successive generations of Indigenous children.

Our Purpose

To develop leading programs educating and supporting Yalari’s students and alumni, individually and collectively, as qualified, contributing, culturally connected, and influential Australians. To honour all Australians by sharing Indigenous cultures through stories, healing, laughter, and truth.

TheStartoftheYalariStory Yalari’s story begins in 1979, when Waverley Stanley was awarded a scholarship to attend Toowoomba Grammar School. That opportunity, and the belief shown in him by his Year 7 teacher, Mrs Rosemary Bishop, became the seed of a lifelong commitment to ensuring Indigenous students from regional and remote areas can pursue their own educational pathways. In 2005, Waverley and his wife Llew Mullins, and other like minded generous people founded Yalari with the first cohort of scholarship students and a simple but powerful idea: when a child is given the chance to learn, their future - and the future of their community - can change. What began around a kitchen table has grown into a thriving community of students, families, alumni, schools, supporters and staff walking alongside young people from regional and remote communities through six years of boarding and beyond. Pictured in 2017: Rosemary Bishop and Waverley Stanley AM

celebrating20 yearsofYalari Yalari celebrates its 5th birthday! The Federal Government awards the administration of part of its Indigenous Youth Leadership Program to Yalari, adding 66 transitioning students and a further nine schools to our program. The first three boarding students start at Toowoomba Grammar School and The Glennie School. Yalari’s inaugural fundraising dinner in Sydney raises in excess of $300,000.

2006 2005 Yalari was established on 13 April 2005 by Waverley Stanley, his wife Llew Mullins and a group of like-minded and generous supporters. Yalari was assisted with startup funding and support from AVCAL (Australian Venture Capital Association Limited) and DEEWR (Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations).

25 new students receive Yalari scholarships. Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation becomes Yalari’s first major partner.

13 new scholarship recipients start at six different boarding schools around Australia. The inaugural Yalari Orientation Camp was held at Tallebudgera on the Gold Coast. PBI (Public Benevolent Institution) endorsement by the Australian Tax Office. Yalari raises in excess of $1M through private and corporate donations.

17 Yalari students graduate Year 12.

2008

2007

Powderfinger, one of Australia’s most successful rock bands, supports Yalari throughout their ‘Sunsets’ farewell tour of Australia in late 2010.

Yalari’s head office is devastated by fire. The Gold Coast Titans NRL Club generously donate office space and the Yalari community rallies to get us back on our feet.

2010 2009 Yalari offers a further 34 students scholarships through its partner schools. Waverley Stanley is named Ernst & Young’s Social Entrepreneur of the Year (Nth Region). The first Year 9 Central Australia Camps were held. Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, accepts the patronage of Yalari and attends the annual Brisbane Fundraising Dinner.

2011 Inaugural Commemorative Walk to Cherbourg.

2012 2013 25 students graduate Year 12.

The Yalari office is relocated to Siganto Drive, Helensvale. Waverley travels to South Africa for his Churchill Fellowship.

2014 2015 Yalari celebrates its 10th birthday! Yalari has 173 scholars and 137 graduates. 28 partner schools across Australia and 28 students graduate Year 12.

Warrior Spirit Camp held in conjunction with 9RQR for our alumni at Ennogera, Queensland.

Inaugural Yalari Captaincies. Inaugural Yalari National Volunteer Awards.

2016

2017 Yalari is featured on ABC’s Australian Story. 46 new scholars start their Yalari journey.

Yalari has 184 scholars and over 300 alumni. 33 students graduate Year 12.

2018

Yalari has 229 scholars and over 445 alumni. Yalari celebrates its 15th birthday with over 200 scholars and nearly 400 alumni.

2020

2019 Waverley Stanley is recognised in the Australia Day Honours List and was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for “significant service to the Indigenous community thorough support of education.”

26 students graduate Year 12. 674 scholarships awarded to date.

Yalari purchased its head office in Helensvale, Gold Coast.

Alumni gathering at Government House in Canberra with the Governor General of Australia.

2024

2022

2021

First two alumni appointed to the Yalari board, Kyol Blakeney and Ebonie SadlerSmall.

2023

2025

Yalari holds its first Sponsors and Alumni Camp to Central Australia.

Celebrating 20 years with over 250 scholars and close to 600 alumni in partnership with 20 schools.

2025Impact

New Scholarships Awarded

251

Yalari Scholars

93%

Annual Retention Rate* *2020-2025

588 Yalari Alumni

30+

Alumni & Pathways Initiatives Delivered

20 Partner Schools

AlumniLeadingTheWay STRONG COMMUNITIES, STRONG FUTURES AND BACK IN COMMUNITY

Shanice Flemming Current location: Broome, Western Australia School: Geelong Grammar School Current role: Teacher (Primary)

What is an achievement you are most proud of? “Completing my Bachelor of Education is something I am deeply proud of, especially sharing this journey with my sister. I stayed committed because there are students out there who need representation by someone who believes in them. I am doing this for our kids.” What has been a deeply meaningful experience in your life? “Becoming a mother has been a journey of constant learning and growth. My daughter is a firm reminder why it is so important to create strong, supportive pathways for the next generation.” If you could talk to your Year 7 self on their first day of school, what would you say? “Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself. Be proud of who you are. There will be challenges, but do not let them define you. Believe in your strength and keep going because you can achieve great things.” Rubibi Broome 17.9618° S, 122.2370° E On Jukun land

OnTheRoad

Yarns from Rottnest to the Kimberley From tourism on Rottnest Island to land management in Kununurra, Yalari alumni are leading in their chosen fields.

Broome Derby Fitzroy Crossing

Darwin

By yarning with graduates on home soil, Alumni Lead Lesa captures the ‘whole-of-life’ reality of our graduates -

Kununurra

honouring the juggle of FIFO work, raising young families, and balancing community responsibilities.

Halls Creek

This connection ensures alumni support remains relevant; showing up where our graduates live and work means they have exactly what they need to thrive.

Isaac Burgoyne Current location: Kununurra, Western Australia School: Toowoomba Grammar School Current role: Youth Program Manager When you think about your time as a Yalari student, what’s one moment that really sticks with you? “The first few years are hard but as you adapt to boarding life, you see the rewards of being independent and the opportunities from those sacrifices. Waverley always said the choices you make will benefit you in the long run, and that’s something I always remember.” How are you showing up for younger mob coming through behind you? “I run programs for at-risk or disengaged young people to help re-engage them into something proactive while helping them get things they need for the future, like an ID, a driver’s licence, or work.” Goonoonoorrang Kununurra 15.7781° S, 128.7441° E On Doolboong/Miriwoong land

Emma Rogers Current location: Derby, Western Australia School: Geelong Grammar School Current role: Deputy Manager at Kabayji Booroo Youth Hostel What does being back home and close to family and community mean to you right now? It means everything to me being back home with family but also working with the youth from home. Building strong relationships with them, encouraging them to get through school and to be the best version of themselves is everything to me right now. For a young person from WA who’s thinking about applying for a Yalari scholarship - what would you want them to know about the experience and what it can lead to? It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. It sounds scary, but take it because it will open so many doors for you and you’ll meet so many great people, and it will shape you as a person.

Derby / West Kimberley 17.3093° S, 123.6402° E On Nyikina and Warwa land

Alumni-Defined Priorities Through deep listening in the Kimberley, graduates identified three keys to thriving:

• Practical

“Our commitment doesn’t end at graduation. By walking alongside alumni, we ensure they grow strong, self-determined futures.”

Financial literacy and home-ownership workshops.

• Flexible Wellbeing support tailored to FIFO and shift-work life.

• Connected

Pictured: Lesa, Alumni Lead with alumna Cassidy Dempsey

Local, family-friendly, and community-centred gatherings.

YalariReady

Yalari Ready is an intensive transition program designed to support students who demonstrate strong commitment, leadership potential, and a desire to learn, but require additional literacy and numeracy support before commencing boarding school on a Yalari scholarship.

2025: A TRANSITION YEAR AT SCOTS PGC COLLEGE Following a successful pilot in 2024, Yalari Ready was delivered at Scots PGC College in Warwick in 2025. Ten Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from regional and remote communities across North Queensland, the Northern Territory and New South Wales joined the Scots PGC Yalari Ready class. Each brought different strengths, language backgrounds, and starting points in their learning. What they shared was effort, attendance, and a determination to make the most of the opportunity. At Scots PGC, students: • Learnt in a small, dedicated Yalari Ready classroom with a specialist teacher

How Yalari Ready feels day to day MORNING CHECK‑INS Quiet conversations about how everyone slept, who is missing home, and what is happening back in community set the tone before lessons begin.

IN THE CLASSROOM Explicit teaching in reading, writing, and maths is combined with group reading, storytelling, and hands‑on activities that connect to students’ lives and interests.

• Focused on intensive literacy, numeracy and language learning aligned with Year 6 ACARA standards • Lived in boarding, practising new routines with support from Yalari staff and school teams • Joined wider school life through sport, chapel, and co‑curricular activities

LIFE IN BOARDING Evenings bring homework, yarning in the common room, calls home, and learning new routines – from doing laundry to getting to breakfast on time – with boarding staff and Yalari Support Officers close by.

2025 OUTCOMES • Ten students completed the Yalari Ready year at Scots PGC • 100% were offered places at Yalari partner schools to commence Year 7 in 2026 • Students transitioned into three leading boarding schools across Australia These early cohorts confirm that with focused preparation, students can start secondary school confident, connected and ready to succeed. 14

STAYING CONNECTED TO HOME Photos, artworks, and language words from community are visible in the classroom. Students share stories of Country and family so that school becomes another “home”, not a replacement for where they come from. Waringh Waringh Warwick 28.2152° S, 152.0352° E On Bundjalung land

SchoolVoices Great Southern Grammar, Albany Built on shared values, our long-standing partnership with Yalari continues to grow from strength to strength. It is not a transactional relationship, but one grounded in deep connection and a shared, aspirational vision, to support the transformation of Indigenous young people so they may return to their communities and create positive, lasting impact for the common good. Great Southern Grammar is humbled by the support and encouragement we receive from Yalari, which enables us to uphold our strong social and moral commitment to the education of Indigenous young people across Western Australia. Together with our approach to student engagement and personal success, this partnership empowers our school to continue to grow, celebrate diversity, foster inclusion, and nurture a genuine sense of belonging for all those we serve. Kinjarling Albany 35.0268° S, 117.8837° E On Noongar and Minang land

Mathew Irving Principal

St Ignatius’ College Riverview, Sydney When First Nations young men come away to board, we understand that it is a significant commitment from both the student and community. For this reason, we emphasise the holistic growth of each individual. They are not just coming to study - they are coming here to be, to give, and to grow. Within our circle, we look after one another and challenge each other until each student can walk out the gates knowing that anything in life is achievable. It is an unspoken rule in our community to protect and to honour Gammeraygal Country and its sacred sites while we are away from our own, doing this makes us feel closer to home. The story of Country (countries) is embedded in our very architecture. Our new learning space, Wingaru ‘to think’, was inspired by, country, in particular, the shell midden site beneath a beautiful rock shelter along the foreshore. This new space supports individual growth within a strong cultural foundation – a space that has embraced the gift of our past students and we commit to learning more as we have left blank spaces for those coming in future to add to our story. Kaleb Taylor First Nations Coordinator

Sydney Harbour 33.8623° S, 151.2077° E on Cameraygal country

Helpingeverystudentsucceed, belongandthrive Behind every Yalari student is a strong network of care, led by Student Support Officers. By supporting each student as an individual, connected to community and Country, Student Support Officers enable greater engagement and confidence. Working with students, families, and schools, they provide consistent, culturally informed support that strengthens wellbeing, builds belonging, and underpins each student’s success.

Nelson Foster (Alumnus) HornIsland,TorresStraitIslander Student Support Officer ST AUGUSTINE’S COLLEGE, CAIRNS (in 2026) From seeing both sides as an alumni and SSO, what matters most in the support a student receives? Gimuy Cairns 16.9230° S, 145.7662° E On Yidinjdji land

“The biggest thing I have learned is how much being present and just showing up means to a kid. It’s about being on their side with consistency and patience. My main takeaway is that the support we give is not really holding their hands but rather walking beside.”

Peyton Fafai Student Support Officer ST HILDA’S, GOLD COAST What’s something a student’s family has done that reminded you why this partnership matters? “A Torres Strait Islander family gifted me a Kulup (a traditional instrument for storytelling). To me, it was the highest compliment for supporting their children within the ‘Yalari family.’ It truly means a lot to me.” Yugambeh Gold Coast 33.8623° S, 151.2077° E On Kombumerri land

What does a typical day look like for you as an SSO? “I arrive at 3:30pm in the quad to say hello, yarn, play games, and hangout. After tutoring and dinner, I might take the girls for dessert or a drive. It’s a chance for them to let their hair out and yarn over some food outside the boarding environment.”

Mike Kennedy Student Support Officer SYDNEY CHURCH OF ENGLAND GRAMMAR SCHOOL (SHORE) & ST IGNATIUS’ COLLEGE RIVERVIEW, SYDNEY How do you see students change over the years – not just academically, but as people?

Sydney Harbour 33.8623° S, 151.2077° E on Cameraygal country

“The biggest change is in how they see themselves. They build confidence that they can do hard things and learn along the way. Many become great role models and mentors, acknowledging their own past challenges to support the younger students.”

Penny Lilford Student Support Officer THE GLENNIE, TOOWOOMBA What’s something about the SSO role that you didn’t fully understand until you were doing it?

Giabal Toowoomba 27.5598° S, 151.9507° E On Barunggam land

“I hadn’t fully understood the humour which underpins relationships and connections. We have moments where we literally belly-ache from laughing. That sense of belonging through laughter and having fun has been a wonderful, unexpected experience.”

Holly Coffison (Alumna) UnbekereBina/Kalkadoon Volunteer Tutor & Student Support Officer SOMERVILLE HOUSE, BRISBANE (in 2026) What is it about this partnership that keeps you coming back? Meanjin Brisbane 27.4701 S, 153.0210 E On Yuggera and Turrbal land

“I know firsthand how life-changing Yalari is. The dedication and care of the people behind the scenes make it so much more than just a scholarship. It’s why I keep coming back - seeing that level of commitment to every student.”

ConnectionThrough SharedExperiences Throughout the year, students participated in shared experiences that fostered growth and a deep sense of belonging within the Yalari mob. These touchpoints - from orientation to graduation - shaped identities, strengthened cultural understanding, and prepared students to lead their own futures.

Year 10 Pay It Forward Year 11 My Future Camp

Year 9 Outback Camp

Alumni & Pathways

Year 7 & 8 Orientation Camp

Year 12 Career Readiness

Year 12 Graduation

Year 7 & 8 | Orientation Camp Orientation Camp bridged the gap for new and returning students, fostering the resilience and confidence required for boarding school life. By connecting with alumni and Student Support Officers, students built a strong foundation of support and a lasting sense of belonging from the very start of their secondary education.

Year 9 | Outback Camp The Outback Camp took students into the heart of Central Australia, where they travelled from Alice Springs to Uluru. Immersed in the landscapes of Traditional Lands, they learned directly from local Elders near Ormiston Gorge, participated in cultural activities that encouraged storytelling, personal growth, and reflection on their boarding journeys.

Year 10 | Pay It Forward Camp

The Year 10 cohort reunited to collectively fund a Rosemary Bishop Scholarship for a future Yalari student, they strengthened their own bonds, focused on wellbeing, and reaffirmed their commitment to community contribution.

Year 11 | My Future Camp Hosted at Bond University, the My Future Camp focused on university immersion and career planning. Students engaged with industry partners and participated in practical workshops - including a driving skills session with RACV - to explore post-school options.

Year 12 | Career Readiness Supported by Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, this final camp focused on wellbeing and employment readiness as students navigated their transition beyond the school gates. The program built early career awareness and personal resilience needed for life after graduation.

Year 12 | Graduation The journey culminated at Parliament House in Canberra, where 36 graduates were celebrated for their achievements. These young leaders moved forward with the knowledge, confidence, and community support to navigate their chosen pathways and step into new opportunities.

Outback Camp

Eli Year 9 Student “During camp, I learned a lot about myself and the way I see my culture through time spent around the campfire. Listening to others’ stories helped me feel more connected to my identity and proud of where I came from.”

Pay It Forward Camp

My Future Camp

Kashada “I found Year 10 camp a great

Demi

time to connect with the peers

Year 11 Student

Year 10 Student

in my year to discuss our plans for the ‘Pay It Forward’ project. It really helped in gathering ideas to help us in the upcoming days. One of the pay it forward ideas we have is an ‘Out of School Uniform Day’ and everyone in the school

“The My Future Camp was a great opportunity to learn more about careers, how Yalari will support us after school, and how they can help us with planning our future.”

can participate if they donate a gold coin.”

Classof2025 ERIKA FREEBAIRN Kirirri Island The Glennie School

KYMARNI ASTILL Yuwaalaraay and Gamilaraay / Wailwan Kinross Wolaroi School

TAYLOR HAMMOND Wayilwan Kambala School

KALEIGHA BAIN Jawoya / Ngalakan Clayfield College KYARA BASHFORTH-HARMSTON Bundjalung St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School

KELLIE BRAIN Kooma / Guwamu / Cunnamulla Clayfield College

OLIVIA HOLZ Tharawal Abbotsleigh

TONY PROBERTS-PITTMAN Yuin / Wiradjuri Scots PGC Warwick

LUKE HORWOOD Kamilaroi / Gamilaroi / Anawain SHORE CARA JONES Gungri / Wakka Wakka The Glennie School

PIPER CAMPBELL Yuin Tribe St Hilda’s Gold Coast MILLI CARTER Gunnai & Kurnai / Brabrauloong & Tatanugaloong Geelong Grammar School ROHAN COOPER Gunai Kurnai / Yorta Yorta Geelong Grammar School

WILLY KRIS Kala Kawa Ya St Ignatius’ College, Riverview JAYELAN LANG Kamilaroi The Glennie School RIF MCNEIL-HANNA Yamaji / Wadjarri / Murchison River Great Southern Grammar School

COOPER CORY Kamilaroi Churchie

RUSANTI MISICK Kulkagau ya / Kala lagaw ya Clayfield College

BRIDIE COVER Bidjara The Glennie School TRISTAN DONNELLY Yaegl, Bunjalung, Gumbangyirr, Dunghatti St Ignatius’ College, Riverview

TARNIESHA OSCAR Bunuba, Gooniyandi, Gija & Waanyi Methodist Ladies’ College

MONTANA HOOKEY Garawa / Waanyi St Hilda’s Gold Coast

KAINEN BEEZLEY Wakka Wakka / Kabi Kabi Toowoomba Grammar School

COURTNEY DROTINI Kaurareg The Glennie School

KIYOSHI NAKATA-BINJUDA Wagadagam clan / Karage tribe / Paim pain Kap clan John Paul College

DOMINIC (DJ) NAGLE Wagodagam / Panai / Kala Lagaw Ya SHORE MIA NAKATA Wagadagam clan / Karage tribe / Paim pain Kap clan John Paul College

MEYAH PROBERTS-PITTMAN Yuin / Wiradjuri Scots PGC Warwick ELI PYZIAKOS Tagalaka The Southport School TALLEN ROBINSON Wiradjuri Toowoomba Grammar School XAVIER STANLEY Birragubba / Burungam / Gunglu The Southport School CHELSEY TENNANT Wayilwan St Hilda’s Gold Coast ELOISE VAN VUGT Badimaya Yamatji Methodist Ladies’ College MYFFY WILSON Nari Nari Abbotsleigh RILEY WONDERGEM Gumbaynggirr Churchie CHEYANNE YAMASHITA Torres Strait Islander St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School

Eli

Dominic

Meyah

Mia

Commenced a mining apprenticeship with BHP Mitsubishi Alliance

Recipient of a Pathways Scholarship and studying medicine at University of Sydney

Studying Diploma of Library Services in Brisbane

Moving to the USA to pursue a career in professional basketball

APathwaytoPurpose: Courtney Drotini Kaurareg 2020

2023

2026

Courtney was twelve when she left home. Her Student Support Officer remembers her as the one helping others settle in, organising what work needed doing, and keeping her peers on track during prep.

Led the Year 10 Pay It Forward initiative. Described by staff as “excellent at getting on and making the most of everything around her.”

Studying a Bachelor of Business at QUT in Brisbane on a Yalari Pathways Scholarship.

She arrived at The Glennie School, 2,143km from Thursday Island, during COVID-19. Grades lifted from C– to As and Bs by the end of the year. She didn’t yet know what life after Year 12 would look like. She just knew she wanted to make the most of the opportunity in front of her.

2022 Bronze Academic Achievement Award. Selected for the CSIRO Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy. Placed second nationally with a bush foods video. By Year 9, Courtney was balancing sport, academics, and a quiet responsibility that kept showing up in every staff report: looking after the people around her. When her younger sister started in Year 7, Courtney became her anchor. She described the shift herself: “Something I have learnt about myself this year is to never give up when times get tough. I’m proud of my studies and the improvements in my grades, especially in Maths.” Then, almost as an afterthought: “I am also proud of my increased confidence, as I have started asking more questions in the classroom.”

Meanjin Brisbane 27.4701 S, 153.0210 E On Yuggera and Turrbal land

The Pay It Forward role suited her. Courtney had been doing it informally since Year 7 – checking in on her Yalari cohort, making sure everyone knew what needed doing and when. Now it was official. Outside school, she picked up shifts at Coles and volunteered for stocktaking to add more hours. The young woman from Thursday Island was building a life in Toowoomba on her own terms.

2025 Appointed School Captain – the first Indigenous student and first Yalari scholar to hold the position in The Glennie School’s 117-year history. “My story began in 2020, a year filled with challenges,” Courtney wrote in her final letter to supporters. “The effort I put in during 2020 paid off, as I began to achieve academic awards while also immersing myself in sport. By 2023 it became clear that leadership was my next priority.”

Her alumni profile says it plainly: “My future aspirations on completion of my degree are to return home to the Torres Strait Islands and invest my skills and knowledge back into community.” When asked about her role model, she named her mum “because of how much of a strong independent woman she is.” Six years ago, Courtney didn’t know what she wanted to do. Now she does.

“Yalari gave me the opportunity to leave home, experience new things that wouldn’t be possible at home. It opened doors that I did not know existed.”

The School Captain appointment was the culmination, but it wasn’t the point. The point was everything that led to it: the quiet reliability, the academic persistence, the care for younger students, the willingness to put her hand up.

FromScholartoStudentSupport Jazleen David De Busch Gomeroi In 2011, twin sisters Jazleen and Jadalyn David De Busch travelled from their bush community in the far north of Queensland to Brisbane to start at St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School on Yalari scholarships. Today, Jaz is an actor, writer, and works at Yalari as SEQ Student Support Coordinator. Her partner Nathan, also a Yalari alumnus at St Augustine’s College, Cairns, is an Exercise Physiologist. Together they are raising their daughter strong in culture, within a network of family, community, and opportunity. Through their story, you can see how one opportunity, held within family and culture, can support change across generations.

s Strait nal and Torre gi ri bo A d ou h, and I am a pr ia and the entral Austral David De Busc C n , ee rk zl Yo Ja e is ap e C My nam ns across with connectio Islander woman ntry and Torres Strait. by family, Cou ed ap sh e er chasing days w the generator, ity where our un of m d om un c so sh e bu and I left that g asleep to th I grew up in a the fire, fallin my twin sister 11, er ov 20 In ng . ki er oo nn c di culture – ngaroo for scholarships. g bullock or ka tin ea d an ane on Yalari tle sb at ri c B in t’s re nd St Marga ily. It was world to atte ty net. A fam fe sa A e. in el lif r me. It was a trips to Uluru ng staff, the scholarship fo di a ar st bo ju t e n’ th , as pported the team Yalari w av, the Yalari r vision and su W ou le d c ke Un c d ba an at th Aunty Llew – a community school. to Cherbourg k al y at boarding w ne e ur th jo d r an ou n gi be for us to ture. courage it took orming and cul rf pe g, lin el yt or writer, and passion for st an actor and e, I found my m as ho d d ke an or ri w la , people ting) Through Ya Fine Arts (Ac elling to young yt of or r lo st l he ra ac tu B ul c I completed a ctive, bringing es. rytellers Colle to S st ote communiti ir m F re d ed an l ra creat ru in lly sland, especia alked his across Queen thi man, also w ha ut W d an d in ai ustine’s College e and kind Wak athan, a humbl tended St Aug N at r t at he is ne , og rt nd ol pa la si Is y M e Phy rsday as an Exercis Raised on Thu ks . th or w pa our ri he of la Ya ay ng . Tod own ellbei e health and w School Captain th e g am tin c or be F d pp d an su alth, trait an ar Cairns n Indigenous He the Torres S ba to Ur e r m fo ho te ills e sk , healthy, the Institu to live strong is to take thos le m op ea pe dr t ed or ar pp mob. Our sh ograms that su d to deliver pr an sl en ue Q th Nor . made us see connected lives g her parents in om ec B a. en unity; it r Ir not just opport a daughter – ou as ve w ha us w no ve e ga ulture, with Yalari Together w grounded in c w light. What ne er a ht in ug da ys r ne r ou our Yalari jour many places. e a future fo confidently in k y to help shap al ilit w ab to e r th he us gave at support relationships th t: to build education and ed commitmen ar sh a to n ve individual ambitio d to always gi s grown from ommunities, an ha c e e ot os Yalari m rp es re lu pu d va Our CORRIE in rural an e th ob m d r ar ou rw r fo fo us. We carry opportunities lusiveness and ity who lifted Resilience, Inc un t, m c om pe c es e R th s, pennes g after us. back to Compassion, O r those comin – fo us en in op ith w or embedded to keep the do d we promise an – e nc le el c Ex 22

Jazleen

“Grounded in culture and empowered through education, we’re committed to creating opportunities for the next generation.”

JAZLEEN’S JOURNEY

Meanjin Brisbane 27.4701 S, 153.0210 E On Yuggera and Turrbal land

2011

Starting school - From the bush to Brisbane. Jazleen and Jadalyn begin their Yalari journey at St Margaret’s.

2015

Graduation - Year 12 complete. St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School, Brisbane.

2020

Developing her craft - Completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting) at QUT.

2023

Leading change - Founding the First Storytellers Collective for communities.

2025

A new legacy - Creating a future of choice and connection for her family and becoming Yalari’s SEQ Student Support Coordinator. 23

ReflectionsonOpportunity: AYalariAlumni'sJourney Peter Lacey Garawa&mitakoodi Peter Lacey is a proud Aborignal and Torres Strait Islander man from Darwin whose journey spans scholarship, storytelling, and service. A Yalari alumnus and former ABC journalist, Peter has returned to Scotch College Adelaide as First Nations Officer – giving back to the same school where his journey began – while continuing to support young people and communities with a deep commitment to culture, connection, and future generations. I remember the power bill arriving. Nothing dramatic or traumatic, just present. I remember the expression on my mum’ s face. That quiet calculation of what could wait, what couldn’t, and how we would stretch what we had. I grew up the youngest of four in a single-parent household. We didn’t talk about “disadvantage”, we just lived it. But in moments like that, my mum showed me something steady: work ethic, persistence, faith, and the understanding that you keep going regardless. One afternoon, while I was outside playing basketball with my siblings, my mum received a phone call. I had been offered a scholarship through Yalari. We celebrated in that moment - but soon after, fear crept in quietly. Because that call didn’t just mean a new school. It meant leaving home, leaving my siblings, and stepping away from the only version of myself I knew. At twelve years old, I didn’t understand the scale of that change. I understand it now. I was the only Aboriginal male student in my co-ed school. I remember moments where conversations shifted when I walked into a room. Moments where Aboriginal people were spoken about until people realized I was standing there. That has an impact on a young person. You don’t just learn maths, English, and science, you learn to rebuild your identity. Layer by layer. Looking back, that was the start of understanding how what’s going on inside me affects what I experience outside. Yalari doesn’t lower the bar. It provides the support needed to rise to it. At Scotch College, I became House Captain, and in Year 12 I stepped into the Prefect role as Community Action Leader. Those roles weren’t about titles ... they were about belonging. A reminder that I had earned my place. I began my career in journalism, driven by a desire to tell meaningful stories. Over time, I realised the real skill wasn’t just in telling them - it was in creating a space where people felt safe enough to share with me. 24

That led me to psychology, where I became interested in belief, identity, and behaviour. Why we think the way we do, and why we sometimes hold ourselves back. I later spent time studying medicine to better understand the body alongside the mind. That experience clarified something important: I didn’t want to save lives in the traditional sense, I wanted to help remove the internal barriers that prevent people from living fully. People say Indigenous students are “given opportunities.” What often isn’t seen is the cost. This scholarship didn’t come without challenge. It involved separation - chosen, but still significant - adaptation, pressure, questions of belonging, and the ongoing work of identity. Access opens the door. But walking through it - and staying in the room - requires a shift in how you see yourself. Think of it like tuning a radio. When the frequency aligns, the signal becomes clear. That’s the real return on investment ... not just access, but alignment. Yalari didn’t just change my life, it changed my family. My nephew is now in boarding school down south. A close family friend’s daughter now attends Scotch College where I work as First Nations Coordinator. That’s the ripple effect. It doesn’t stop with one person.

“If I could share one message with supporters: yes, money makes a difference - but think bigger. You’re investing in young people who are shifting narratives and stepping into spaces their ancestors dreamed of. When belief shifts early, the impact carries across generations.”

PETER’S JOURNEY 2008

Starting strong - Awarded a Yalari Scholarship to attend Scotch College Adelaide.

2012

Graduation day - Year 12 complete

2016

Finding a voice - Completed a Bachelor of Arts (Journalism) at Swinburne University of Technology.

2020

Telling stories - Commenced work as a Journalist with the ABC.

2023

Giving back - Returned to Scotch College Adelaide as First Nations Officer.

2024

Supporting others - Appointed Intake and Assessment Practitioner at Canteen.

2025

Next chapter - Commenced a Psychology degree at Flinders University.

Tarntanya Adelaide 34.9285° S, 138.6007° E On Kaurna Pangkarra land

PathwaysinPractice: AviationintheTorresStrait Jemmah Ronsen Arganclan Jemmah Ronsen grew up on Thursday Island watching helicopters fly. She knew what they carried - neighbours from the outer islands, families in emergencies, and people needing to reach the mainland. On a remote island, these aircraft are a lifeline.

Jemmah left the Torres Strait Islands in 2016 as a Yalari scholar, attending St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School in Brisbane before graduating from The Glennie School in Toowoomba. After a period as a Parks and Wildlife Officer in Cairns, a chance conversation with a Babcock pilot staying at her Nan’s Airbnb redirected her path back to aviation.

Waiben Thursday Island 10.1592° S, 142.1632° E On Kaurareg land

After interviewing with the team, she knew her direction. “I can see myself here,” she says. “This is where I want to be.” Jemmah is now completing her Diploma in Aeroskills (Mechanical) as an apprentice with Babcock, supporting the Lagaw Kuyup Rescue Service - the same helicopters she watched as a child. “It’s a privilege,” she says. “Especially being from the community and then giving back. I know how much these resources are needed.” By year five, she aims to be a licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, working in and for her own community.

JEMMAH’S JOURNEY 2016

Stepping out - Thursday Island to Brisbane. Jemmah begins her Yalari journey at St Margaret’s.

2017

Finding rhythm - Pulls the stroke oar in the Year 8 Quad Scull.

2021

Graduation - Year 12 complete. The Glennie School, Toowoomba.

2023

New ground - Parks and Wildlife Officer, Cairns.

2025

Back on the Torres Strait Islands - Aeroskills apprenticeship with Babcock. The goal: Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, Torres Strait.

“We are incredibly proud of Jemmah. Her story is a powerful example of hard work, determination and the real impact our work has in the communities we serve. Babcock is proud to partner with Yalari to support young people like Jemmah, as we work together toward our shared goal of creating lasting, positive change in the communities in which we live and work.” Babcock Australasia Acting CEO Leah Grantham

10 year partnership Our long-standing partnership with Babcock shows how a shared commitment to education can create lasting change. Now in its tenth year, the partnership reflects a whole‑community approach, supporting young Indigenous students to pursue their academic goals, grow into future leaders, and access opportunities that strengthen outcomes for their families and communities.

BoardofDirectors WAVERLEY STANLEY AM Founding Director

BRUCE DAVIDSON Chair Bruce is Executive Director of Davidson, a national workplace performance firm providing advisory, technology, and recruitment services. His experience includes roles as a commercial law Partner, CEO, Director, and Chair for a range of Australian organisations. At Yalari, Bruce mentors alumni, supports student camps, and values his time with the Yalari mob.

BirriGubba/Barunggam Waverley founded Yalari driven by his own experience as a scholar at Toowoomba Grammar School. He leads student selection, leadership development, and external relations with a passion for Indigenous empowerment through education. A graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program and a 2013 Churchill Fellow, Waverley was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his service to Indigenous education.

LLEW MULLINS Managing Director Llew has co-led Yalari since its inception, overseeing all student and alumni programs. Drawing on her background in counselling, she curates the wrap-around support essential for students throughout their secondary years. Llew manages operations with a focus on cultural sensitivity and trust, ensuring Indigenous children thrive at Australia’s leading schools. She remains deeply involved in community life, from on country support and engagement to mentoring alumni.

EBONIE SADLER-SMALL Director Gomeroi A 2011 Yalari graduate from Calrossy Anglican School, Ebonie is a creative professional and founder of Eight Pointer Creative Agency, specialising in the agricultural sector. She holds a Bachelor of Visual Communications from UTS and has extensive experience in the livestock industry. Ebonie serves as a mentor and role model, dedicated to shaping the next generation of Indigenous leaders.

KYOL BLAKENEY Director

BELINDA GIBSON Director Belinda is a professional non-executive director with expertise in financial services and infrastructure. Formerly a corporate law Partner at Mallesons Stephen Jaques and Deputy Chair of ASIC, she is a Menzies scholar (Cambridge). Belinda is committed to Yalari’s mission of advancing education for Indigenous children from remote areas, viewing her role as a way to pay forward the opportunities she received.

Gomeroi Kyol Blakeney is a Gomeroi man living in Sydney. A 2011 Yalari Scholar from The Scots College, Kyol holds a Bachelor of Primary Education from the University of Sydney. He is an award winning, passionate and dedicated educator. Kyol previously served as President of the Student Representative Council at the University of Sydney. He operates his own consulting business in curriculum development and cultural competency. Kyol chairs Yalari’s Alumni Council.

ROBIN LOW Director

Robin is a professional non-executive director who has served on six ASX-listed boards, several Federal Government boards, and various not-for-profit organisations. A former audit and risk partner at PwC for 28 years, she brings expertise in finance, technology, and retail. A dedicated mentor, Robin has served on the boards of the Public Education Foundation and Primary Ethics, advocating for education as a catalyst for opportunity.

FinancialReport

Revenue

$ 15,433,312

23%

Sponsorships

Donations

Event Income

Other Income

Investment Income

Government Grants

Program Expenditure

$ 12,649,847

13%

Business Services

Fundraising Operations

Fundraising Events

46%

Scholarships

Yalari Enterprise

Pathways Events

Pathways

Student Events

14%

Student Support

Disclaimer: This information has been extracted from our annual audited financial statements which were given as an unqualified opinion by our auditors. These are available at the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission (ACNC) website.

AmilestoneinIndigenous-led Philanthropy Jenni Walke is a proud Bundjalung woman, and Founder and Managing Director of Elephant in the Room Consulting. She’s been part of the Yalari family for years through cultural guidance and alumni leadership, development, volunteering and as a sponsor. Jenni is now establishing the Jenni Walke Endowed Scholarship. This is a landmark moment for mob supporting mob philanthropy in Australia - a commitment to self-determined, long-term change. “This is the definition of legacy,” Jenni says. “Our success as a business means nothing unless it creates real, lasting pathways for our people. To establish a scholarship that will continue supporting young people long after we’re gone is the truest measure of impact.” For Jenni, success is measured by the work done alongside Yalari. When a young person enters boarding school with the support they deserve and a future they can see, real change starts. This endowment is a cornerstone of Yalari’s vision for a $200 million foundation, ensuring that students from regional and remote communities have a steady, permanent support system for generations to come.

Meanjin Brisbane 27.4701 S, 153.0210 E On Yuggera and Turrbal land

How a Yalari endowed scholarship works

Gift from Jenni Walke and future donors

Capital professionally invested, presently with JBWere wealth management

Annual earnings help fund scholarships and support

Students families and communities benefit - year after year

Alumni leadership scales Yalari’s impact, creating a generational cycle of opportunity and shared success

Why this matters for Yalari Yalari’s long‑term goal is a $200 million foundation to provide a strong, sustainable base for scholarships and wraparound support. Student outcomes are already visible: more than 800 students have received scholarships since 2005, and close to 600 alumni are now contributing in their families, communities, workplaces, and sectors across Australia. Endowments like The Jenni Walke Endowed Scholarship help lock in that impact for future generations - creating a pool of funding that can keep supporting students long after the original donation is made.

The Yalari Foundation The Yalari Foundation, home of the Mary Boydell Fund, enables Yalari to underpin its ability to support generations of Indigenous children by creating a source of dependable and enduring funding. By reinvesting the annual earnings, we aim to grow the capital base, allowing us to distribute a portion of the earnings to support operations and scholarships into the future. The Foundation strengthens Yalari’s financial stability and independence alongside fundraising and social enterprise, helping ensure Indigenous students from regional and remote communities can continue accessing scholarships and support beyond a year‑to‑year funding cycles.

Waystowalkwithus Empowering the next generation of Indigenous leaders is a journey we take together. We invite you to walk alongside our students as they lead their own futures. From experiencing Country first-hand to investing in a lifetime of opportunity, here are eight ways you can join the Yalari community:

01. Attend a

supporter’s camp The Yalari Way Outback Camp invites workplace groups, senior leaders and individuals to connect with Country and spend time learning from Traditional Owners.

02. Attend Yalari events Come together with fellow supporters to hear directly from students and alumni as they step into leadership in their own way.

03. Volunteer Bring your skills to walk alongside our students as a tutor, mentor or event supporter.

04. Give monthly Regular giving provides the stability for students and alumni to thrive through every year of school.

05. Workplace giving Give through your employer, automatically, from each pay cycle and turn a single decision into a lasting habit of investment.

06. Gift a scholarship Back a student’s full six-year journey through secondary school from Year 7 through to Year 12.

07. Endow a scholarship Invest through the Yalari Foundation and sustain a named scholarship – every year, forever.

08. Leave a gift in your Will A bequest to Yalari is a way to extend your values beyond your lifetime. A bequest can endow a scholarship, strengthen the Foundation, or remove the barriers for students from remote communities as they create lives they choose for themselves.

For more information, contact info@yalari.org

OurValuedSupporters The generosity of our philanthropic and corporate partners empowers Yalari to go beyond access to education. Your support sustains the cultural connection and wraparound care that allows our students to thrive. From Year 7 through to alumni leadership roles, we are building a network of reciprocity that changes hearts and minds across Australia. Thank you to all members of the Yalari community for investing in the self-determination of the next generation. Our community of supporters is deep and wide and extends far beyond the below acknowledgements. We are grateful to all our supporters for walking alongside us and the futures you help build through Yalari.

Endowed Scholarships Auto & General

Estate of John Graeme Lenehan

Jenni Walke

Stan and Maureen Duke Foundation

Alan and Doris (d) Sinclair-Jackson

John Reid AO and Lynn Rainbow-Reid AM

Andrew and Cynthia Carter

Johnson Group WA

Sue Chase Foundation

Archie and Mary Lou Douglas

Judith Musgrave Family Foundation

Susan Hocking & Ian Mackie

Bagot Gjergja Foundation

Luke Sullivan in gratitude to Patrick and Mary Sullivan

The Corella Fund

Philanthropic 85 & 86 Riverview old boys & friends

Belinda Gibson Bo & Lindsey Wharton Carolyn Vincent’s Ubuntu Foundation Claire Nontapan Clifford Family Daniel Pittorino Fenwick Family Foundation Fred P Archer Charitable Trust Gailey Lazarus Foundation Geoffrey Davies AO and Thea Davies Grant and Linden Oliver Hamish and Mary McIntyre Hilary Dixon and John Dempster H&J Davies Foundation Jane Gamble Janette Laver John & Edwina Campbell

Macquarie Group Foundation Margaret Wright Education Foundation Mathew’s Syndicate Mckeage Cole Foundation Melissa Sampson-Curry Mia Foundation Nick and Georgia Martin

Steve and Di McCready

The Croxley Foundation The Leroy & Joy Brauer Perpetual Charitable Trust The Hon Dr Diana Laidlaw AM Thyne Reid Foundation Tim Fairfax AC and Gina Fairfax AC Tony & Siobhan Hey Toowoomba Grammar Class of ‘84

Opportunity 12 Syndicate

Toowoomba Grammar Sunshine Coast Group

Patricia Matthews and Neville Sandford

Turner Family Foundation

Paul and Judy Williams through Woomera Education Scholarship Trust

Uncle Rob Bryant’s First Nations Education Scholarship - In memory of his mother the late Granny Rita Bryant/Whaddy

Richard Oliver AM

Vanraay Family Fund

Richard Wilenski

Vicki Hanman

Roden Family Foundation

Wally Boydell

Saywell Foundation

Waterwheel Foundation

Sinclair Charitable Trust

Williams Family

Corporate

Proudly supported by the Australian Government 35

OurPartnerSchools Yalari continues to strengthen its partnerships with 20 of Australia’s leading boarding schools, each providing our students with not only an exceptional education but also access to a broad range of extracurricular opportunities and life‑changing experiences. These schools are carefully selected for their alignment with Yalari’s vision, values and philosophy, and for their demonstrated commitment to creating caring, supportive, and culturally safe environments where our students can learn, grow and thrive. Additional support comes from the wider school community and YalarI’s Student Support Officers, who are located across the nation and work with students, families, and schools to ensure our scholars are enjoying - and thriving in - their boarding school experience.

Key: School Location Current student hometown 36

This map is for illustrative purposes only and may not be geographically accurate or to scale.

QLD

NSW

VIC

TAS 37

Yalari'sSocialImpactinaction Yalari partnered with the Centre for Social Impact at the University of Western Australia to assess the impact and effectiveness of nearly two decades of our work. The study sought to identify how Yalari’s unique vision, purpose, and values underpin a working model that seeks tangible progress towards generational change for Indigenous children from regional and remote communities. The study utilised a mixed method approach where students and alumni participated in yarning circles and surveys; sponsor, donors, supporters, Yalari and partner school staff were interviewed; and program data was used to track progress and personal achievements throughout and beyond the scholarship program. In 2025, we shared the findings widely with partners, supporters and communities, reinforcing that Yalari’s wraparound support is why students stay in school.

HOW WE SELECT SCHOLARS Each year, up to 60 Rosemary Bishop Indigenous Education

For Year 7 students, this means being supported through the critical transition into boarding school – building confidence, belonging, and cultural connection from the outset. For Year 12 students, it means sustained guidance through the senior years, enabling them to complete school, step into leadership, and move confidently into further education, training, or employment. In addition to gaining a quality boarding school academic education, these insights demonstrate Yalari students are developing leadership and life skills, maintaining and fostering a strong cultural identity, and engaging meaningfully with one another.

Scholarships are awarded for students starting Year 7. We work closely with: • Families and community leaders • Primary schools and partner boarding schools • Our Student Support and Pathways teams to understand each child’s strengths, needs, and readiness for boarding.

WHAT SELECTION IS BASED ON • Student and family interviews • School reports and attendance

Read the full Impact Report at yalari.org

• Referee statements • Evidence of cultural, community, or family involvement. We also consider the right match between a student, their home community, and the partner school they may attend.

84%

Year 10–12 retention rate - above the national average for Indigenous students

81%

of students feel more connected to culture through the program

95%

feel inspired to be role models for family and community

“These names represent individual stories of courage, resilience, and success. They are the proof that when we walk together, we change the landscape of leadership in Australia.” Waverley Stanley AM, Founder

ANDREW FREEMAN

EARLE FOUNDATION

JOHN & SUSIE FRANCE

JOHN WHITE

MARY & WALLY BOYDELL

MICHAEL HATTON

DANIEL PITTORINO

COLIN & LEREE RODEN

BOB BREEN OAM

GILLIAN JOHNSON

GRAEME CHIPP

JENNI WALKE

JOHN BOLTON

MAC DRYSDALE

MARGY CHATBURN PAUL & JUDY WILLIAMS

RICHARD OLIVER & FAMILY

PAUL CHAPPELL SINCLAIR CHARITABLE TRUST

STAN & MAUREEN DUKE FOUNDATION

STEVE & DI MCCREADY

STEVE WILSON AM & DR JANE WILSON AO

TIM WILSON

TOOWOOMBA GR AMMAR CLASS OF ‘84

TRISH MATTHEWS

UNCLE ROB BRYANT

ROSEMARY BISHOP

SAYWELL FOUNDATION

Thank you for your visionary and generous support Jimbelungare means friendship in the Yugambeh language

B E COM E PA RT O F YAL ARI ’ S STO RY We are seeking supporters that share our vision to deliver authentic, practical, outcomes-driven solutions that will allow Indigenous young people to write their own future in a nation where we all stand together as equals. For more information, contact info@yalari.org

Yalari

Yalarimob

Yalari

yalari.org

Yalari 2025 Annual Review — Indigenous Education Impact, Scholar Stories & Financial Summary