Goldfields Intake I - Graduation
Golden Pearl Modeling Agency
In April 2006, four indigenous youth aged 15-16 years who were disengaged from school, enrolled at Chutzpah Goldfields. There they founded Golden Pearl Modelling Agency which provides a six-week modelling course to indigenous and non-indigenous youth in Kalgoorlie. Their young modelling students graduate with a Fashion Parade at the end of their course. Through developing and running this venture, the Chutzpaniks created broad business networks and came to recognise that they had sourced within themselves a range of strengths such as strong leadership, technical, administration and management skills.
Chutzpah created a Transition Plan to link the Chutzpaniks back into their local Enterprising-networks that provide these vocational training, personal and education needs. Students were directed toward teaching careers, a trade Certificate in spray-painting and a Business Administration course. All have expressed interest in continuing to run the venture. As of November 2006, the Kalgoorlie ICC office of DEST reports that all students have re-engaged in full time school to completing year 11, in order to be able to pursue their chosen careers. Eastern Goldfields High School Retention and Transition Officer informed that the students have all stated "they would not be at school if it were not for Chutzpah!"
Golden Pearl Modelling Agency achieved the following outcomes:
- Golden Pearl Modelling Agency graduated its own 20 "modelling students" (aged 3-16 years) at a community fashion parade. These outcomes are providing potent peer leadership and support opportunities.
- Key funding and community stakeholders attended the Golden Pearl Fashion Parade event. Of significant interest is the overwhelming attendance and contribution of parents, relatives and other community members, who assisted to support Golden Pearl in organising, decorating, purchasing foodstuffs for sale at the event and staffing the venue, and then cleaning up and removing clothing and furniture from the venue at the close of the evening. Parents' evaluations revealed they were astonished by the changes in their children, frequently citing how they had become family and community role-models. Parents noted that their children now have a clear focus for the future, with potential employment, education and training pathways.
- The parents' involvement in the project met core outcomes of the DEST's funding agreement, where DEST is seeking to increase parental engagement in their children's education and career transitioning.
- The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) has commended the efforts of Chutzpah Inc. for its community development outcomes. There have been longstanding hostilities between local retailers and indigenous youth and the CCI has been repeatedly approached to develop intervention strategies. On behalf of their modelling-students, Golden Pearl Modelling sought and received clothing and accessories sponsorship for their students to model in the Fashion Parade. More than 20 local stores and businesses (eg. Target, K-Mart, Skunkwear and RugRatz) contributed items. Golden Pearl profiled the retailers during the show, who were also invited to the Fashion Parade. Golden Pearl officially thanked the sponsors by letter with the return of the borrowed clothing.
- The Director of the Kalgoorlie Indigenous Co-ordination Centre (ICC) identified the potential showcasing of Golden Pearl's leadership skills to outlying Indigenous communities.
- The Golden Pearl team were consequently invited to accompany ICC representatives to Karalundi, an indigenous community approx. 800km north of Kalgoorlie, to conduct a workshop for young people in the community. Due to school and sporting commitments however, the students could not accept this offer.
- Further, in July 2006 Chutzpah Inc. assisted Golden Pearl to raise sponsorship to attend Indigenous Business Australia's First Nations Economic Opportunities Conference at the Hilton Hotel in Sydney. There, the Chutzpaniks met the Australian Governor General who officially commended Chutzpah Inc. for our work in Indigenous Australia, during his conference opening speech.
Graduation Photos
