Indigenous secondary students from around the Bendigo region gathered at BSSC on Wednesday for a series of interactive workshops with educators and students from Bendigo TAFE and La Trobe University Bendigo.

The day kicked off with a Welcome to Country by Dja Dja Wurrung elder Kerri Douglas, and a traditional smoking ceremony to ensure a successful day for everyone involved.

BSSC Indigenous Program Coordinator, Sally Fleming, said the day was a great opportunity for Indigenous students to learn about a broad range of pathways beyond VCE and VCAL.

“The students came away with a real sense of what a day in the life of TAFE and university is like,” she said. “There was also great information about the courses and scholarships available to them.”

Indigenous Engagement Officer for Bendigo TAFE, Tashara Roberts, shared her own journey of identity and connection, before speaking about the many pathways offered by TAFE.

“One of those pathways is the Arts,” she said, “so today we put a contemporary spin on a traditional artform by painting designs onto boomerangs using reeds instead of brushes. For some of the students Art might be a pathway, but for others it may just be a great way to chill out and connect with themselves.”

The day also included a Workforce Expo with valuable information about industries that are looking for an Indigenous workforce.