NEWS AND MEDIA

AIEF is honoured to announce the appointment of the Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), as its new Patron-in-Chief.

On the eve of graduation, Year 12 AIEF Scholarship Students James and Zieha speak to The Australian about their boarding school journeys and their dreams for the future.

Wallaby legend and NITV Sport Executive Producer Mark Ella AM says a proper education gave him the confidence to push himself in the sporting arena because he knew he had other options in life. In The Weekend Australian, Mark Ella says “AIEF recognises Indigenous students for their commitment to improving their own lives and providing leadership within their communities”.

The Australian reports the announcement of a new partnership between AIEF and the Yothu Yindi Foundation (YYF) at the Garma Festival in Gulkula, north-east Arnhem Land. Under the partnership AIEF will support YYF to develop programs which will lead to better educational outcomes for Yolngu children.

Yolngu leader and National Living Treasure Galarrwuy Yunupingu AM says a proper education enabled him to live in two worlds and lead in two worlds, and that today’s children must have the same opportunities to never forget who they are while taking their minds and talents to the highest level.

To commemorate its first 50 years in print, The Australian published a collector’s edition magazine showcasing the best stories and photos in the newspaper’s history and the 50 most influential Australians of that period.

The magazine gives the “last word” to AIEF Scholar, Lowanna Moran, who shares her vision for a future where all Indigenous children have access to a quality education in a “just and harmonious society, built on acceptance and appreciation of our first people and culture.”

Noel Pearson says by the time he finished his secondary education at boarding school, there was no question about attending university, because he was “swept up with the tide of high expectations”. In The Weekend Australian the Chairman of the Cape York Group says he wants generations of kids from the bush to have the same chances and that programs like AIEF are a crucial part of the education solution for his people.

2014 Australian of the Year Adam Goodes says getting an education set him up for successful career both on and off the sporting field, and that he is passionate about making sure Aboriginal boys and girls around the country have the same experience. In The Weekend Australian, Adam Goodes says he supports AIEF because by opening doors to leading schools and universities, they’re empowering thousands of Aboriginal children to pursue their dreams

In The Weekend Australian, NT Government Minister Bess Nungarrayi Price says her parents were Warlpiri first, but knew the importance of an education. Like her parents, Minister Price says we must ensure our children grasp their right to be educated.

In The Weekend Australian, Yolngu leader and Prime Minister’s Indigenous Advisory Council Member Djambawa Marawili AM says to keep Yolngu culture strong, Yolngu children need to be educated in the ‘Balanda’ (whitefella) world as well; and that AIEF is creating opportunities for Yolngu kids have access to the best education possible.

In 2014, Indigenous children around Australia are missing out on a quality education – despite decades passing since education transformed the life of Professor Marcia Langton AM. In The Weekend Australian, Professor Langton says she supports AIEF because “they ensure educational equity and achieve astonishingly good outcomes for thousands of young Indigenous people who want a better life”.

The Weekend Australian reports a $1 million investment in AIEF by leading philanthropists Dick and Pip Smith.