Page 7 - View-Matters-April-2023

Bairnsdale VIEW and Girls at the Centre

n Bairnsdale, in Victoria’s East Gippsland “This ratio allows for a mix of inclusiveness We also make sandwiches for the girls and
area, where the Gunai Kurnia people and learning about culture,” explains Simone any other students in need of lunch,” she
I are the traditional owners, VIEW Club Forster, Program Manager. says.
members are proud to support The Smith “The girls have access to a Girls Room “Being in regular contact with Simone,
Family’s Girls at the Centre program. before school and during break time so they the Program Manager, has increased my

First trialled in Alice Springs, Northern can chat and enjoy social interaction. There understanding of all that is involved in
Territory, Girls at the Centre now runs in tends to be great camaraderie, especially motivating and supporting these young girls.
Bairnsdale and Wagga Wagga in NSW to between the senior girls and the younger I am in full admiration of Simone, and her
support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ones,” Simone says. Girl Coaches. They provide a stimulating
girls to stay engaged with their education, Girls participating in the program also and enriching program to enable these
improve their attendance rate and have the chance to explore career young students to reach their full potential,”
complete Year 12. pathways through regular guest speakers she says.
The program is run by a Smith Family and excursions, such as visiting RMIT to “It is especially rewarding for VIEW members
Program Manager and Girl Coaches who experience university life. to know we are supporting students in our
support the students to build positive Staff at Bairnsdale Secondary School very own locality.”
relationships with each other, their school, report that girls on the program have shown
families and community members. Regular improvements in their school attendance
school attendance by participants, as rates, greater engagement in learning as well
well as engagement with the program, is as improved attitudes and behaviours.
rewarded with opportunities to participate
in excursions aimed at giving the girls new Dianne Thomas, from Bairnsdale VIEW Club,
experiences and building their aspirations. says her fellow members are proud to play a
supportive role for girls on the program.
The program at Bairnsdale Secondary
School currently has 35 participants from “Our members support the girls by providing
Years 7 to 12, 80% of whom identify as some educational and personal items Watch this video for more
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. necessary for full participation at school. on Girls at the Centre

Of the 59,84559,845 Learning for Life students
Simone Forster, Girls at the Centre supported during 2021–22, 13,304 (22.2%) 13,304 (22.2%)
Program Manager, Diane Thomas
from Bairnsdale VIEW Club and identified as having Aboriginal or Torres
Maddy, Girl Coach. Strait Islander backgrounds.

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