RACV commits $2.5 million to help Yalari graduates thrive beyond the classroom

RACV has committed $2.5 million over five years to help fund Yalari’s new Alumni Connection and Development Program, enabling graduates to stay connected and supported long after they finish school.

As an education not-for-profit, Yalari offers full secondary education scholarships to Indigenous children from regional, rural and remote communities at leading Australian boarding schools.

From successful transitions into adulthood and building capability, to strengthening confidence and community leadership, the new program focuses on what comes next after graduating and provides responsive support when it is needed most.

With more than 630 alumni now forming their own path across the country, the investment will enable a dedicated Alumni Support Team to be embedded in the community, reinforcing graduates' connection to Yalari and guiding them through the milestones of early adulthood.

The three new community-based roles will sit within Yalari's Alumni & Pathways team and will deliver initiatives such as:

• Mob Meet Up Series – Comprising of regional gatherings focused on connection and skill building.
• Leadership and skills for Independence programs.
• A Storytelling – Speaking with Purpose program, a culturally grounded initiative that supports young Indigenous leaders to develop their voice, shape their story, and speak with confidence.
• “What Now?!” – A three-day life skills camp aimed at building confidence and practical skills in cooking, budgeting, healthy relationships, car basics and goal setting.
• Direct support for alumni through development grants and a dedicated wellbeing fund.

From 2027, the program will expand and scale nationally, with up to 15 Mob Meet Ups, two life skills camps and two storytelling programs planned, alongside ongoing grants and wellbeing support.

One of the new roles leading the Alumni Support Team has now been appointed, with Martin Gowdie starting his new position as Alumni Support Manager in August. Gowdie, who relocated his young family to Queensland to take up the opportunity, said he's excited to follow his passion and is looking forward to making a positive impact.

"After moving to Arnhem Land (Gunbalanya) with my young family to work for a foundation that mentored young Aboriginal boys – helping them finish school and find employment – I now have landed at Yalari and I am so grateful for the opportunity to continue this important work in supporting the alumni of Yalari," he said.

"All these young people I met in my previous role, from remote regions of Australia, had one thing in common – they didn’t lack aspiration, they lacked opportunity. So, with the belief that children shouldn’t have less opportunities because of the post-code that they are born in, I followed this career curiosity, and it soon became a passion."

The new role is based on the Gold Coast and will involve extensive travel to remote communities around Australia, allowing Gowdie to connect with people on their homelands.

"I'm looking forward to listening. I am fortunate to be in a role that exists to support others. But, as the saying goes, “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care”.

"My role is to meet people where they are at and help them on their journey. So, I am looking forward to listening to their stories. Everybody has a story. We might all be at different stages of life, but we all share so much in common and have so much to learn from each other."

The new investment deepens the partnership between RACV and Yalari, which was established in 2023. Across the past four years RACV has helped Indigenous students access quality education and created education and leadership opportunities.

RACV also hosts wellbeing events for Yalari at its resorts in Queensland and Victoria, while helping build Yalari’s camp site, which has already hosted several outback camps.

RACV General Manager of Corporate Affairs Liz Carey said she was proud to expand RACV's existing relationship with Yalari.

"We've proudly partnered with Yalari for many years to help create opportunities for First Nations young people through education, skills development and connection," Carey said.

"This new investment in the Alumni Connection and Development Program builds on that shared commitment, ensuring Yalari graduates remain supported as they transition into adulthood and grow as leaders within their communities."

RACV has a long-standing commitment to Queensland, employing more than 1000 people, and investing in local communities, tourism and sustainability initiatives. This includes partnerships with Queenslandbased organisations Yalari and GIVIT, supporting programs that strengthen communities and create meaningful social impact across Australia.

RACV continues to invest in its Queensland operations through upgrades at RACV Noosa Resort, future development opportunities at RACV Royal Pines and sustainability initiatives such as commercial solar infrastructure. These investments reflect RACV's confidence in Queensland's future and a commitment to delivering long-term benefits for local communities, visitors and the state's economy.