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Lane Brookes benefits from mentoring by NRL 17 August 2013
L
ane Brookes, of Roma, stands as a prime example of how beneficial mentoring and encouragement from the right people can be for Indigenous youth throughout Australia. Brookes, 18, is one of many young people who have new confidence and hope in their post-school careers thanks to involvement with the Titans 4 Tomorrow ‘I Can’ Program which focuses on improving attendance and performance of Indigenous youth at high school and seeing the students progress to study or work when they go into the ‘real world’. Lane had more awareness than many who attended less than half of their school days and were little motivated to be successful at school, however he will admit he needed the drive, confidence and belief that he could not only be successful when he left school but also be a leader of others. So encouraged was he by mentoring sessions with former Titans NRL stars Preston Campbell and Clinton Toopi and other Titans staff, Lane has become an outstanding role model for his community – to the extent where Titans 4 Tomorrow have used him as a guest mentor in programs they conduct in the Surat basin. He also achieved a job at a teacher’s aide at Roma State High where he had attended as a student and is completing a diploma of
Lane Brookes takes a break from a Roma Aboriginal Dance Troupe performance to display his Ethel Munns award. Photo courtesy WESTERN STAR NEWS.
education at TAFE. He was also named winner of the Ethel Munns service to the community award for his efforts in raising funds as part of the Bring Garry Alexander Home campaign in his home town. Alexander suffers from motor neurone disease and was told he would never return to Roma and his life instead would be confined to Toowoomba Base Hospital or he may even be moved to a hospital in
Brisbane. Due to the determination of Garry and his family and friends, he is back in his Roma home which has been made wheelchair friendly and has two ventilators fitted in a specially fitted treatment room. Brookes took it upon himself to organise a fund-raising rugby league match at a local league clash which provided more than $1500 towards the cause. He was presented with the Ethel Munns award by singer Troy Cassar-Daly
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while Lane took time out from yet another of his passions, leading the Roma Aboriginal Dance Troupe. “Without the mentoring I received and guidance with goalsetting and managing my time, I wouldn’t have improved with my studies and got done what I needed to, and been able to follow other interests,” said Brookes. “Having footballers that I identify with involved made it so much easier and more satisfying; they gave me motivation, and others too. Most of us have gone onto get jobs and been quite successful. “It has also helped me gain confidence to be a leader in community initiatives too; I’m inspired to be a positive influence on others.” Toopi, the New Zealand rugby league international who is now a full-time mentor with T4T, was greatly impressed with Lane’s input into two I Can mentoring sessions in the town of Mitchell in western Queensland. “It’s great to see someone who
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was in the program now able to pass on his experience and new direction to others,” said Toopi. “We were keen to provide a good role model to other students and Lane has been outstanding. He is very passionate and confident.” The I Can Program, launched in 2012, is funded by the Federal Government and the T4T involvement in the Surat has been enhanced by support from the corporate sector including Origin Energy on behalf of Australia Pacific LNG and Santos GLNG. Students, teachers, parents and principals at the participating schools in Chinchilla, Dalby, Miles, Roma and Tara Shire have responded enthusiastically to the program. Teachers in the region report that there has been a general improvement in attendance, behaviour and aspirations since introduction of the program – and significantly in many cases. Teachers have noted in particular the benefits of the cultural aspects of the program and the emphasis on behaviour and responsibility.
The program is enhancing the selfesteem, motivation and confidence of students, many of whom are becoming better team members and leaders. The additional Sporting Chance Girls Academy program, launched in 2013, provides further resources and regular monitoring of students between I Can visits and the residential camps. Jessica Mauboy, well known singer and actor and inspirational Indigenous role model, has taken on the role of ambassador for the academies and shown a keen personal interest in its development. She is supported by world surfing champion Joel Parkinson. Alison Young, deputy principal of Chinchilla State High School, said of the T4T I Can program: “We feel this program, particularly that it is run over three years, is the most successful and dynamic intervention this school and area has ever had. It is just great to have these fine young men and women from I CAN in our school.”