Beyond our core purpose of educating Indigenous children from remote communities, we are also dedicated to supporting our Yalari alumni, creating opportunities for them to thrive. Yet, like many of us, our alumni often lead busy lives, with their own wellness sometimes falling to the wayside. Recognising this, our Yalari Pathways team developed the ‘Alumni Mob Retreat’—a weekend devoted to connection, reflection, and personal growth.
Set at RACV’s Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast, 15 alumni from the Class of 2011 through to the Class of 2021 traveled from across Australia to join in this enriching wellness weekend. For some participants, it had been a while since their last connection with Yalari.
Yalari Alumni Mob Retreat at RACV Royal Pines Resort.
Yet, as they gathered around the campfire on Friday evening with Founders Waverley Stanley AM and Llew Mullins, it felt as though no time had passed. Reminiscing on old times and sharing stories was the perfect start to the weekend—a chance to reconnect, as well as meet alumni from other cohort years.
Held in October, just before the festive season’s busy pace, the retreat was designed to give alumni a chance to reconnect not only with each other but also with themselves, prioritising their own health and wellness. To set this tone, Saturday morning began with a rejuvenating yoga session, followed by insightful talks from our workshop facilitators.
We were joined by Yalari sponsor Findex, a leading provider of integrated financial advisory and accounting services in Australasia. Since its inception in 2018, the Findex Community Fund has been dedicated to supporting regional communities in three key areas: health and wellbeing, education and learning, and community resilience. We were thrilled to have them share their expertise with our alumni, helping them navigate their own financial journeys.
Presenters Matt Singh-Atwal and Matthew Bowyer, both Associates at Findex, covered a range of topics essential for financial literacy. They provided insights into job transitions, savings strategies, budgeting, income tax, tax returns, superannuation, and much more.
Yalari alumni Jondayah Martin expressed her gratitude for the session, “It was great to refresh my knowledge and gain valuable tips on investment opportunities and savings hacks” said Jondayah. “The most helpful part was being able to ask clarifying questions about homeowners grants, general savings, and HECS.”
With 75% of Findex offices located in regional and rural areas, their mission aligns seamlessly with Yalari’s commitment to providing scholarships for Indigenous children from these communities across Australia. “The Findex ‘Young Money’ financial inclusion campaign is dedicated to helping the next generation make money, spend money and plan for their future” said Nick Mylonas, Chief Stakeholder Officer & Findex Community Fund Board Member.
Following the Findex workshop, we wanted to hold space for our alumni to connect to culture. We divided into groups, with the women participating in a weaving workshop focused on women’s business, while the men engaged in a session led by Daniel Evans from Walkabout Warriors, dedicated to men’s business.
Rising at dawn on Sunday, our alumni greeted the sunrise at Broadbeach, enjoying a beach walk and refreshing morning swim, ready to dive into the final day of the retreat before returning home. Yalari’s very own Chief of Staff Stacey Lacy lead the final workshop, emphasising the importance of integrating the weekend’s learnings back into everyday life, as well as embracing each individual’s unique gifts.
We are deeply grateful for the chance to spend this time with our alumni and for the support of our partners RACV and Findex who made such a meaningful experience possible.
