NASCA Young Women’s Academy Officially Launches at Kanahooka High School

We recently celebrated a major milestone with the official launch of our NASCA Young Women’s Academy at Kanahooka High School, and our hearts are full of gratitude.

We want to extend a massive thank you to everyone who helped make this launch such a resounding success.

A Celebration Rooted in Culture

The official launch was grounded in traditional customs, bringing together local Elders, community leaders, school staff and students.

We would like to extend our deepest thanks and special mentions to:

• Aunty Joyce Donovan for opening the proceedings with a warm and grounding Welcome to Country
  
• Kugang Djarmbi for leading a powerful smoking ceremony to welcome our program with positive energy
  
• Koorin from the Gawura Aboriginal Corporation Illawarra Koori Men’s Support Group (IKMSG) for playing the Yidaki alongside Kanahooka High School’s Clontarf Academy students.

(Photos courtesy of Kanahooka High School)

Growing the NASCA Family

An initiative like the Young Women’s Academy relies heavily on a supportive network. We are incredibly grateful to Kanahooka High School Principal Anthony Kalsow and all of the school staff for their unwavering support, hospitality, and for embracing our program so enthusiastically.

We also want to give a huge shoutout to our amazing new staff members, Katie-Lea Wheeler and Jaydean Lonsdale Patten. We are thrilled to have them on board to guide, mentor, and inspire our young women throughout their journey.

Katie-Lea would have liked to have been able to access such a program when she was a Kanahooka High School student.

“I think it really would have opened up my cultural awareness,” she said. “It wasn’t until I left school that I started to embed into my culture and really reach out to my community.

Bianca, a Kanahooka High School student commented “When I heard that NASCA was coming to our school I was very excited and curious about the support they can bring”. Diane, another student who used to go a different school where they already had the support of NASCA, said “I feel that thanks to NASCA my connection to culture is a lot stronger”.

With the program now officially launched, we look forward to watching these young women thrive at school, lead, and connect deeply with their culture and communities.

What’s Next?

The next NASCA Young Women’s Academy is set to officially launch in Casino on the 24th of July. Stay tuned for more details as we prepare to welcome another incredible community into the NASCA family.