Cape York Leaders Program marked the end of 2023 with their annual Next Steps Conference in Cairns. The week-long event brought Year 12 graduates together to help prepare them for life after high school. Throughout the week each student was asked to reflect on two questions: What is next for you? What do you need to get there?Â
The conference kicked off with a trip to Green Island, where students and staff had the opportunity to snorkel the reef, play football on the beach, ride the glass-bottom boat and learn about the Indigenous culture of the island.
The next day, students were treated to motivational talks from CYLP alumni who offered real-world insights into what the next stage may hold through stories of both success and challenges. Students also attended practical workshops where they gained valuable life skills that will serve them well as they transitioned into life after high school, including money management and editing their online presence.
The formalities for the conference concluded with the 2023 Graduation Dinner, where the achievements of nine Year 12 graduates and five university graduates were celebrated. Each graduate in attendance gave a speech reflecting on their time with Cape York Leaders Program and their hopes for the future. Parents and grandparents also took to the stage to acknowledge their dedication and wish them all the best for the years ahead.Â
Cape York Leaders Program Manager, Rhys Hollo-Russell, spoke about how the program was created to empowers students to go further.
"CYLP asks Leaders to demonstrate a commitment to education, and their futures," he said. "We want students to make a choice, to board the plane to school every term, to return to a school far away from family, and to embrace a life that can offer more.
Amidst the shared stories, laughter and tears, the graduates looked forward to the future with a sense of purpose and confidence. Every camp, every weekly catch-up, and every workshop has equipped them for the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.
Their adventure is just beginning, with each graduate setting their eyes on tertiary education or employment.
View the full Graduation Dinner photo albumÂ
