Celebrating First Nations Students' Achievements
On Friday 2 December the Academy of Sport, Health and Education (ASHE) held a graduation event to celebrate the students' success for 2022.
ASHE is a partnership between the University of Melbourne and Rumbalara Football and Netball Club (RFNC). Established in 2004, ASHE provides pathways to further education and employment for young and mature-aged Aboriginal students through the provision of VCAL and vocational learning in a culturally safe and supported environment.
From left to right: Dr Raylene Nixon (University of Melbourne), Professor Lisa Bourke (University of Melbourne), Jessie Barnes-Hill (Specialist Certificate graduate), Alice Pettit (University of Melbourne), Andreia Marques (University of Melbourne)
At the graduation ceremony over twenty First Nation students graduated from an ASHE program including VCAL, TAFE Certificates and Diplomas as well as five students from the Department of Rural Health at the University of Melbourne.
ASHE Graduates
- VCAL; 17 Year 11 graduates and 4 Year 12 Graduates
- 1 Bachelor
- 1 Certificate IV in Fitness
- 6 Certificate IV in Community Services
- 1 Diploma of Community Services
- 2 Diploma of Nursing
Specialist Certificate in Empowering Health in Aboriginal Communities Graduates
The Department of Rural Health at the University of Melbourne joined the celebrations in support of the event and to also celebrate the Specialist Certificate in Empowering Health in Aboriginal Communities graduates, with Jessie Barnes-Hill in attendance from this year's cohort. We congratulate all graduates of the Specialist Certificate:
Toni Rowe
Felicity Chapman
Jessie Barnes-Hill
Sophie Witherspoon
Adeline Gabriel
ASHE Alumni Award for 2022
During the awards ceremony, Jamie Atkinson won the ASHE Alumni Award for 2022, recognising a sustained high-level commitment to employment and further study following his study with ASHE. While employed at ASHE as the Culture and Family Liaison Officer, Jamie completed the Specialist Certificate (2019 graduate) and then moved into a role with Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet to advocate for his community. Jamie has been an actively involved member of the Shepparton community and contributed significantly to the Rumbalara Football Netball Club.
Jamie Atkinson and partner Jessie Barnes-Hill both completed the Specialist Certificate in different years.
Students graduating from ASHE spoke highly of the support provided by Helen Everist and Kira Winmar-Briggs. Together they have supported students to complete a Diploma and/or Bachelor of Nursing, including Kira who was also a graduate celebrated on this occasion.
Helen Everist, Academic Tutor (Nursing Education Support Program) and Kira Winmar-Briggs, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Nursing Project Officer at ASHE (Department of Rural Health, University of Melbourne)
Academy of Sport, Health and Education (ASHE)
ASHE is a partnership between the University of Melbourne and Rumbalara Football and Netball Club (RFNC). Established in 2004, ASHE provides pathways to further education and employment for young and mature-aged Aboriginal students through the provision of VCAL and vocational learning in a culturally safe and supported environment.
The program was developed to improve Aboriginal equality and overall life outcomes. Using a distinctly unique community development and whole-of-life support model, ASHE provides accessible, culturally-relevant education, training, health and employment opportunities and outcomes to primarily – but not exclusively – Aboriginal people.
The ASHE nursing education support program is an initiative that has been developed through a collaboration between ASHE and the UDRH. The nursing program began in January 2016 providing academic and cultural support through a team approach developed by Helen Everist and Kira Winmar-Briggs.
The aim is to make careers in health and in particular nursing, achievable with the development of pathways to further education via traineeships, certificate courses and ultimately progressing to Diploma and Bachelor levels of Nursing education.
