In line with its Reconciliation Action pledge, Ricoh Australia has partnered with not-for-profit organisation, Yalari, to fully fund a six-year scholarship for one indigenous student’s secondary education from Year 7-12. Waverley Stanley AM, Founding Director of Yalari says: “This scholarship is creating pathways that will ripple through families and communities for generations to come.”
In 1979, Waverley Stanley was awarded a scholarship to attend Toowoomba Grammar School and went on to become the first Indigenous student to complete Year 12 and to be appointed school Prefect. 20 years later, Waverley and his wife Llew Mullins (pictured here) established Yalari to give young Indigenous students that same opportunity.
Established in 2005, Yalari supports Indigenous children from regional and remote communities across Australia, with the opportunity to receive a full boarding school scholarship for their entire secondary education. Since its inception, the organisation has awarded more than 800 scholarships to students from 187 communities across regional and remote Australia.
Through partnerships with 20 of the country’s top schools, Yalari helps create pathways for young Indigenous Australians. This year, there are 251 students on Yalari scholarships nationally and almost 600 alumni are studying at universities, working or undertaking further training.
Simone Wilson, People and Purpose Manager, Ricoh Australia, says, “Ricoh Australia’s Reconciliation Action Plan working group reviews opportunities annually where we can support our pledge to reconciliation as well as foster greater understanding and respect.”
“This year, we are honoured to partner with Yalari to support their work in providing access for indigenous students to high-quality education. Our student sponsorship reflects our long-standing commitment to inclusivity as well as fostering respectful relationships and a culturally aware workforce.”
Waverley Stanley adds: “Partnerships like this are about walking together with a shared vision. In this instance, the vision is a more unified Australia through the power of education.”
