For 15-year-old Sylis Ahmat, the future is something you can build with your own two hands.
A proud young man from Weipa, Sylis is in Year 10 and part of the Cape York Leaders Program (CYLP), living and studying in Brisbane at Marist College Ashgrove. Soft-spoken and steady, he keeps his focus clear.
“I like working with my hands. Making stuff,” he said. “Construction’s probably the best. Woodwork and all that.”
During school holidays, Sylis returns to Weipa to gain hands-on experience with Junction Engineering, applying his classroom knowledge in practical ways.
For Sylis, moving away from home wasn’t easy. Like many from Cape York, high school meant leaving behind family, community and familiar faces. It was awkward at first, not knowing anyone. But, as he says, “you get used to it and make new friends’”.
His resilience and family ties helped with homesickness, while regular calls home and boarding with other CYLP students gave him comfort and a sense of belonging.
“Being here with the boys made it easier. It’s like having a new home,” he said.
Support from CYLP helped Sylis stay focused. "They keep you on track with schoolwork," he said. While adjusting to a new academic environment was challenging, that encouragement made a difference.
Away from the classroom, Sylis lights up when talking about life back home: camping, fishing, seeing old mates and spending time with his family. These moments clearly shape his purpose and fuel his motivation to keep going.
When asked what he’d say to younger students thinking about joining CYLP, his advice is simple: “Just give it a go. Even if you’re scared. See what it feels like to be somewhere else.”
Looking ahead, Sylis sees a practical path. With this vision, he’s eyeing a future as a diesel fitter or boilermaker. Roles where he can keep building, fixing and creating, all while staying close to the community he calls home.
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