Leaving home is never easy, especially when it means stepping into the unknown to chase growth and opportunity. For Clifford Ambrym, a young Guugu Yimithirr man from Hope Vale and Cape York Leaders Program (CYLP) student, the journey was a bold step towards building a strong future.
Clifford began his journey in Year 7 and has attended St Brendan’s College in Yeppoon on a Cape York Leaders Program scholarship right through high school. He admits the transition from his community to Yepoon was tough. “The decision to move away from home was hard especially being so young,” he said.
Adjusting to a new environment took time for Clifford but, to help with the homesickness, he kept himself busy and focused on his purpose. “I got over missing home by realigning myself with why I was down here in the first place and by picking up subjects I had a genuine interest in,” he said.
One of the subjects Clifford connected with most was engineering not just for the skills it offered, but for the focus and purpose it gave him during tough times. “Engineering was a subject that helped me take my mind off Hope Vale and my family,” he shared.
Coming from a community with limited high school opportunities, Clifford is grateful for the hands-on learning available at St Brendan’s College.
“I really appreciate that the college offers subjects that can create a pathway into employment, like automotive, engineering and construction,” he said.
Coming from Cape York where Year 12 completion can be as low as 5%, Clifford stands as an empowered example of what’s possible, with a 94% completion rate among students in Cape York Leaders Program. His journey to high school completion will close the education and employment gap for himself and future generations.
The support Clifford received from CYLP and his Student Support Officers has played a huge role in his journey at St Brendan’s College. “The program has helped with my sporting and school expenses over the years,” he said. “The support was amazing. Without them, my family and I wouldn’t have been able to do it,” Clifford said.
This ongoing support helped Clifford stay grounded and focused during his time at school. “I came here to get a good education and to leave feeling accomplished,” he said. “I never thought I’d make it this far – especially to Year 12.”
With just a few months left of Year 12, Clifford is looking forward to finishing school and continuing his learning journey in the engineering field. He then plans to return home equipped with the skills and knowledge to build a bright future, not only for himself, but for his community of Hope Vale.