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Neil Jarvis CEO
The Future Beckons
Neil Jarvis, CEO
The Foundation has come a long way since its beginnings with Graham (Polly) Farmer's vision, Sir Ronald Wilson's inaugural Presidency and John Cunningham's 14 years as Chief Executive Officer, most from the front room of his home.

In all that time the overall objective of helping young Indigenous people has not changed and remains as relevant today as when the Foundation was originally established. The strategy of focusing upon aspirant secondary school Indigenous students and their families has been very successful and remains our key strategic focus into the future.

The implementation of the Follow the Dream/Partnerships for Success program has proven to be successful and enduring. Indeed it has become increasingly clear, from various independent studies, that only partnerships that involve a combination of Indigenous community, government and private enterprises have lasting outcomes. The Foundation’s role of facilitating and managing these Partnerships as a not-for-profit, non-government organisation has also been found by independent studies to be vital to its success and sustainability.

The Follow the Dream/Partnerships for Success program now encompass some 19 projects throughout Australia. These projects governed by 15 local partnerships will, I believe, continue to increase in number as success breeds success. Many of our partners, both government and private, have encouraged the Foundation to take the operating principles of the Partnerships for Success strategy to the primary school aged population which we have started to do. We intend to further modify the operating principals and activities to specifically cater for this age group’s needs. Projects are already operating in this area in Kununurra, Roebourne, and in the near future in Port Hedland, Newman and Tom Price.

We are also being asked to support our graduates in their immediate post school life. The establishment of the Follow the Dream/Partnerships for Success Alumni, being excellently led by one of our first graduates and now Board member, Jolleen Hicks, will provide support to graduates through mentoring, networks and developmental activities. Whenever possible the Foundation will also endeavour to facilitate and support our graduates, directly, through partnerships with organisations that specialise in supporting trainees, apprentices and TAFE and university students.

But our real future challenge is to do more in our existing projects and possibly through new specifically focused programs to assist Indigenous youth to relate to the community in general, particularly to other young Australians.