Make your Mark...The Graham (Polly) Farmer Foundation

By Lisa Holland-McNair

new ground

Make your Mark is the story of the Graham (Polly) Farmer Foundation which was established in 1995 by a group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians to help Indigenous youth achieve their potential; enhance skills and generate positive aspirations for young Indigenous people; and help Indigenous youth relate to the community and other young Australians. It is a not-for-profit organisation which now supports 15 education programs throughout Western Australia, South Australia, Northern Territory and New South Wales. In 2010 there were 486 students participating in the project around Australia and since its inception, 259 students had graduated from Year 12.

The book features a series of interviews with key people involved in the organisation’s success as well as many first-person accounts from Indigenous students and their families about the success of the program, their dreams and their views on being a young Indigenous Australian.

To view a read only copy of the book click here, or to obtain a copy contact the Graham (Polly) Farmer Foundation on 08 9443 7260 or visit their website at www.pff.com.au
Published September 2010

A memorable moment...

Flying into Alice Springs for the first time of my life to interview a young man for the book, I was immediately taken by the beauty and majesty of central Australia.

I met Josef Egger at the homework centre at his school in Alice Springs and spent the next couple of hours being amazed by this 18-year old who had already achieved so much in his young life. His obvious achievements as first Aboriginal Head Boy of the school and an accomplished footballer were impressive but what struck me was his maturity, calmness and quiet determination to find a way of celebrating and embracing his culture while at the same time succeed in the world outside of his Community.

He truly is a remarkable young man and I left our time together feeling like the future for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians living together in harmony was altogether possible. - Lisa Holland-McNair

People featured in the book

  • Graham (Polly) Farmer MBE
  • Dr Sue Gordon AM
  • Hon John Toohey AC
  • Hon Fred Chaney AO
  • Dr Ron Edwards
  • John Cunningham
  • Josef Egger (Alice Springs)
  • Shenara Smith (Roebourne)
  • Lesley Jones (Midland)
  • Donna Davis (Kununurra)
  • Denise Martin (Port Augusta)
  • Cathie McGrath (Port Hedland)
  • Neil Jarvis

Warning: This website may contain the names and images of Aboriginal people now deceased. It also contains links to sites that may use images of Aboriginal people now deceased.

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