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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2025-11-26 Daily Xml
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Wiltja Boarding

The Hon. T.T. NGO (15:22): My question is to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. Can the minister tell the council about the recent 2025 Wiltja Boarding end-of-year celebration?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Deputy Premier, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State) (15:23): I thank the honourable member for his question. It is indeed a very good question. In parliament yesterday, I was very pleased to be able to talk very briefly about the Wiltja Boarding school end-of-year function that I attended this week. Yesterday, we were privileged to be able to give a tour to a couple of members of the Wiltja Boarding school who were in parliament during the course of yesterday. They had a lot of questions after seeing question time here yesterday and what goes on in the chamber.

For those who might not be familiar with Wiltja, it is a Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara word that translates roughly to 'shelter' or 'shade'. It has provided a home away from home for many Anangu students from the APY lands and Maralinga Tjarutja lands. Over many years, students undertake their secondary education at the boarding school on the basis that their families actively wish for them to participate in the program. Wiltja allows young people to walk in two worlds. It provides access to mainstream secondary education here in Adelaide while respecting and maintaining their connection to language, culture and country.

A highlight of the evening was to be able to hear from Tahwanee Coombes and Aaron McCormack, both of whom completed year 12 this year. Aaron and another Wiltja student, Kyrissa, as I said, were actually in Parliament House yesterday. Later in the evening, the closing speech was delivered by Leon Kenny, a former Wiltja student himself who has gone on to a successful career with the education department. Watching him speak earlier in the week to current students, we were seeing the cycle of success in action—living proof that those who graduate succeed in the education system and can turn around to support and lead other people.

I congratulate all students from this year's Wiltja graduating class for their achievements and success, who are seeing recognition, including awards, in everything from surf lifesaving to the Duke of Edinburgh Awards; it is incredible. These students leave their families and travel hundreds or sometimes in excess of 1,000 kilometres to be here in Adelaide, and their commitment to their education and their achievements are a testament to their courage. I left the event feeling incredibly optimistic about the future of these young people through the Wiltja program, which is doing essential work. It is an honour to be able to celebrate another successful year.

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