BRONCOS in the community - BEYOND THE BRONCOS GRADUATION ARROW ENERGY AWARDS SHARE THE DIGNITY
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BRONCOS
ISSUE 12
in the community
BEYOND THE
BRONCOS
GRADUATION
ARROW ENERGY
AWARDS
SHARE THE
DIGNITY
BEYOND THE BRONCOS
GRADUATION 2020
NOT EVEN THE HARDSHIPS
CREATED BY A GLOBAL
PANDEMIC COULD BREAK THE
SPIRIT OF THE BEYOND THE
BRONCOS GRADUATING CLASS
OF 2020.
More than 180 Indigenous girls in 44
schools in Queensland and northern
NSW have shown great resilience and
determination to complete their Year 12
studies under the guidance of the Girls
Academy.
They join almost 4,000 female
students who have been helped to
create exciting new career paths for
themselves since the Girls Academy
was started by the Broncos in 2016.
Each student who graduated this year
has a remarkable story to tell. Tahlia
Roberts is one of them.
“She was a shy girl with no confidence
who wanted to pull out of school at
Year 10,” says her mother Stacey.
I used to be a real
“Now she has completed her HSC and shy person and this
has already landed a full-time nursing
job and will also study next year to program has really
become a registered nurse. helped with building
my confidence
“The Broncos program has given TAHLIA ROBERTS
Tahlia the confidence to do this.” Beyond the Broncos Graduate
Tahlia completed her studies at
Banora Point High School and credits
the Girls Academy with keeping her on Students, parents, mentors and
track. Beyond the Broncos ambassadors
gathered in Brisbane recently to
“I used to be a real shy person and recognise and reflect on the 2020
this program has really helped with graduating class’s achievements.
building my confidence,” she says. “My
Student Support Officer would always It marked the end of one journey but
pull me to the side to make sure I signalled the start of another as the
was doing alright and keeping my
attendance up.” students prepare for exciting futures
beyond school life.
2 BRONCOS IN THE COMMUNITY
The Brisbane Broncos started the
Girls Academy program because it
recognised the vital role that young
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
women play in influencing the next
generation.
Backed by strong support from
the Federal Government, State
Government and major community
partner NRMA Insurance, the
academy mentors and supports
girls in Years 7–12 and into young
adulthood to help these young
leaders succeed.
The Beyond the Broncos Girls
Academy’s aims are to improve
attendance, confidence, leadership
aspirations and career paths for
Indigenous girls.
The Beyond the Broncos program is
proudly supported by the Australian
Government.
BRONCOS IN THE COMMUNITY 3
KEYSTONE FOOTY SHOW WITH GUEST HOST SCOTT PRINCE It’s been a while between Footy Show panels for Broncos legend Scott Prince, but he was recently back behind the mic for a special cause. Prince joined members of The Keystone Centre Footy Show group, a disability support service operated by Lutheran Services in Logan. When the 2020 NRL season was put on ice earlier in the year, the diehard footy fans at Keystone decided to fill the void by creating their own Footy Show. When the season finally kicked off, the Keystone crew regularly came together to share their insights and tips, posting each episode of their homegrown Footy Show on YouTube. Prince was the first guest on the show, and was very excited to be part of the project. 4 BRONCOS IN THE COMMUNITY
Josephine, a year 8 student in her
second year of the program, has shown
exceptional attendance and behavioural
records and is very well liked by her fellow
peers and teachers alike.
ARROW ENERGY She was nominated for the Arrow Energy
AWARDS 2020 scholarship by her Student Support Officer
for her eagerness to participate in all
Indigenous activities at her school.
The Arrow Energy Student Awards Josephine is always in attendance at
and Scholarships celebrate the rising workshops and sets a wonderful example
stars in the Beyond the Broncos Girls for fellow program participants.
Academy Program in the Surat Basin.
A big thank you Arrow Energy for the
The scholarship is awarded to incredible support they show our students
students who excel in the program and community in the Surat Basin.
and provides them with financial
assistance to enable them to
participate fully in their education.
Students from Miles, Chinchilla, Tara
and Dalby State High Schools recently
came together to celebrate the end of
a tough school year with a day of fun
and games with ambassadors Justin
Hodges, Scott Prince and Broncos
player Jamayne Isaako.
There were nine scholarship winners
in total, with Josephine Cooper
from Dalby State High School being
presented her award by Isaako at the
Term 4 Rewards Day in Chinchilla.
BRONCOS IN THE COMMUNITY 5
WESLEY MISSION QLD GIVING DAY Broncos ambassadors Scott Prince, Justin Hodges and Ali Brigginshaw were on hand to support Wesley Mission Queensland’s Christmas Appeal and help those who are doing it tough this festive season. Wesley Mission Queensland are a Brisbane Broncos Charity Partner and the Broncos legends jumped at the chance to lend a hand after what has been a very tough year. The appeal aimed to raise as $180,000 in 24 hours. All funds raised will go directly to food relief, Christmas hampers and case management for Queenslanders in need. Prince, Hodges and Brigginshaw all manned the phones, securing much needed donations for the worthy cause. Wesley Mission Queensland provide an invaluable service for our community, and are in demand now more than ever with those who were once financially secure now struggling due to Covid-19. 6 BRONCOS IN THE COMMUNITY
GIRLS ACADEMY
WIDE BAY LAUNCH
The Beyond the Broncos Girls
Academy continues to expand this
year with four new schools recently
welcomed to the Broncos family.
Our program ambassadors Justin
Hodges and Scott Prince were
joined by Darius Boyd, as they
welcomed Nambour State College,
Maroochydore State High School,
Gympie State High School and James
Nash State High School.
The schools took part in the program
launch, where ambassadors
explained what they expect of the
students and what they can look
forward to if they achieve their
attendance and behaviour goals.
Our new students are looking forward
to learning more about their culture
and history, whilst hearing personal
experiences from Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander legends of the
game.
“It’s nice knowing that my classmates
will get the support to be able to
graduate High School and be the best
they can be at school because of the
program,” said Nambour State College
Captain Taryn.
BRONCOS IN THE COMMUNITY 7
SHARNI MELLARE
SCHOOL CAPTAIN
I have learnt to embrace who
I am and where I come from.
I am now a proud Indigenous
girl and I want to inspire
others to be as well, so they
can achieve anything they
want to.”
SHARNI MELLARE
Beyond the Broncos Participant
Christine Halliwell, General Manager of
Community & Government Programs
at the Brisbane Broncos, said Sharni
was a fantastic ambassador for the
program, which aimed to improve school
attendance and foster leadership.
“Sharni is an excellent example of the
Broncos community program at work
and an amazing role model for the other
young Indigenous girls we are mentoring,”
Sharni Mellare has been part of the Ms Halliwell said.
Broncos Girls Academy for the past five
years and is a shining example of what One of the aims of the Beyond the
the program can help Indigenous girls Broncos Girls Academy is to support
achieve. students in creating a career pathway for
themselves after school.
Sharni was recently elected to lead For Sharni, this means going to university
Alexandra Hills State High School in 2021 to study medicine with the aim of
and has promised to be an inspiration to becoming a neurosurgeon in memory of
more than 150 other Indigenous students her father. “After my father passed away
at the school. from a brain aneurysm, I have been really
interested in working in the medical field,”
“When I first joined the program in Year 7
she said.
I was really insecure, and I lacked a lot of
self-confidence,” Sharni said. “I may not be able to change the world,
but I can change someone’s world.”
“With the support of many of the people
at the Beyond the Broncos Academy, I Sharni is one of 1,700 female students
have learnt to embrace who I am and from Year 7 to 12 who are currently
where I come from. I am now a proud enrolled in the Beyond the Broncos
Indigenous girl and I want to inspire Girls Academy in 44 schools across
others to be as well, so they can achieve Queensland and northern NSW. The
anything they want to, regardless of their program has supported more than 4,000
cultural background.” students since it was established in 2016.
8 BRONCOS IN THE COMMUNITY
SHARE THE DIGNITY
The Broncos have teamed up with
Share the Dignity, an organisation
committed to eradicating period
poverty and removing the stigma
around female hygiene.
For many of our Girls Academy
students, having access to hygiene
products is a luxury so Share the
Dignity kindly donated products for
2,000 of our female students which
will ensure they do not need to miss
school during their period.
Share the Dignity called upon their
loyal supporters to provide the
Beyond the Broncos students with
pads, tampons, hygiene wash,
deodorant shampoo, conditioner,
moisturiser and more. The bags were
then packed by a team of Broncos
staff and delivered straight to the
students who needed them most.
One student was incredibly excited
to receive her pack as she no
longer had to share everything with
her sister. We are grateful for this
generous donation that will make a
real difference for so many girls.
BRONCOS IN THE COMMUNITY 9
NRMA INSURANCE STUDENT AWARDS In what has been an incredibly tough year for students, we have seen an amazing show of resilience by all participants in the Beyond the Broncos program. But there are a few students who have achieved above and beyond and the Broncos community partner NRMA Insurance has ensured they were recognised for their inspired efforts. The NRMA Insurance Student Award was introduced this year to celebrate program participants who have excelled not only in attendance and behaviour but have been a leader in the school and cultural community. The winners were carefully chosen by Student Support Officers and school Principals, and congratulated at Beyond the Broncos reward days or at their school Awards Nights. Jasmine, a year 9 student at Charleville State High School, was a very deserving winner who was commended for her reliability, enthusiastic work ethic and her strong cultural values. Jasmine was extremely proud to receive her award, and her Student Support Officer Lisa was excited to nominate such a dedicated student. “Jasmine is a motivated young lady, dedicated to her education and works extremely hard to achieve her goals. Jasmine has all the attributes of a leader and will succeed in whatever she chooses to do in life,” said Lisa Creevey, Girls Academy Student Support Officer. The 2020 award winners are incredibly deserving and have set a high standard. We look forward to continuing to celebrating more amazing students with NRMA Insurance in the future. 10 BRONCOS IN THE COMMUNITY
AUSTRALIA READS Ali, who was still at home in quarantine post
leading the Broncos NRLW team to their
third premiership title, read A Crocodile in the
Family to her young family who loved every
Broncos stars Jordan Riki, Ali minute!
Brigginshaw and Scott Prince put down
the football and picked up a book to take
part in the annual Australia Reads week.
Australian Reading Hour took place
on Thursday, 12 November and invites
everyone to stop what you’re doing and
pick up a book to read to yourself or the
children in your life.
It’s a chance for Australians of all ages
and from all walks of life to share and
celebrate the joys of reading and Jordan,
Ali and Scott took the time to read some
special books for Broncos Bedtime
Stories.
Scott chose the book Sneaky Shadows
written by S.C Manchild and Steven
Yatomi-Clarke.
Jordan opted for Goodnight, Little Tough
Guy by Michael Wagner which is a crowd
favourite for many little toughies before
they are tucked into bed.
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