Mentoring

BWC ROLE MODEL AND MENTORING PROGRAM

Black White Cockatoo (BWC) has a strong commitment to supporting the next generation of Aboriginal young people to realise their goals and aspirations.

There are many different and varied definitions for the role of mentor; however a mentor can be defined simply as:

A person/s that provides life skills, shares their own experiences and knowledge, support and guidance to young people to reach their full potential and aspire to achieve their goals.

BWC regards the following as important factors when developing mentoring programs for communities;

  1. Mentoring programs are developed in partnership with community members and linked to similar existing community programs to ensure integration and sustainability.
  2. All staff are appropriately trained and supported.
  3. Individual assessment on Mentee (youth being mentored) and where agreed families are involved in the assessment process.
  4. Programs are flexible and include group mentoring and cultural events.
  5. Focus is given to local community mentors, as a preference, however where this is not possible external mentorship will be provided.
  6. Compliance with industry required screening processes is undertaken without prejudicing life experiences of community members through learned mistakes to add value in the contribution of mentoring.
  7. Mentors are matched to student and youth need.
  8. Programs are planned in consultation with the community to ensure community ownership and participation.

Taking these factors into consideration BWC through its community connections and networks is very well placed to design and deliver mentoring programs to youth in South Australia.

From the perspective of the Directors, the critical success of the mentoring programs is best served by utilising local expertise in the development and delivery, together with utilising established rapport.

A role modelling exercise in itself would be for young mentees to see Aboriginal people managing and delivering these services. BWC would like to discuss what avenues are available through and corporate agencies to progress the development and likelihood of BWC delivering mentoring and role modelling programs within SA.


MENTORS

SHAUN AND PETER BURGOYNE

Two brothers from the West Coast of SA, that became sensational AFL footballers, with extreme football abilities and skill. Peter will go down as one of the all-time champions of the Port Adelaide football club, while brother Shauny has been considered and has the potential to be one of the greats in the AFL.

Both have represented Australia in the International Rules series and both played in Port Powers inaugural AFL Grand Final win in 2004.

Peter also made the Indigenous Team of the Century.

DANIEL MOTLOP

Daniel one the best marks in the AFL considering his size and has an uncanny ability to score from the most impossible of angles, further highlighting his skills and natural ability. Daniel was selected onto the Dream Team and the International Rules series in 2008.

Daniel was 3rd in the Port Powers Club Best & Fairest and Leading Goal kicker 2008.

MO'ONIA GERRARD

Mo'onia Gerrard is a Tongan-Australian netball player. Gerrard is a current member of the Australian national team, and plays for the Adelaide Thunderbirds in the ANZ Championship.

She was first selected in the Australian netball team to take on the Silver Ferns on Australian soil in November 2004.

In November 2007 Gerrard played a key role for Australia when it won the Netball World Championships beating New Zealand in Auckland. In total, Gerrard has 28 test caps for the Australian national team.

GEVA MENTOR

Geva Mentor is an English international netball player. Geva was selected for the England national team in 2000, debuting the following year against New Zealand.

To date she has received a silver medal at the 2005 World Youth Netball Championships and a bronze medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. Geva currently plays with the Adelaide Thunderbirds in the Australasian ANZ Championship.

ROBERT CHAMPION

An extremely gifted musician with exceptional guitar skills, who has played at numerous Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal community events around Australia including:

  • Spirit Festival (Adelaide SA)
  • Dreaming Festival (Qld)
  • Yarnballa Festival
  • Survival Adelaide and Sydney
  • One Movement music Festival in Perth

Robert is a mentor for youth and young people at the Kurruru Arts Centre and works with numerous other Departments and organisations working with young people in the music industry.

Robert is a graduate of the Country Music College of Australia in Tamworth.

Robert works as a composer, lyricist and plays lead, rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar, lead vocals, and backing vocals.

Anthony Mundine

The Man, as he's affectionately known, will go down as one of the greatest athletes in Australian history. Has competed and dominated in two sporting codes (Rugby League and Boxing) and continues to defy his critics with his skills in the boxing ring.

Has a very strong commitment to his people and often contributes to various charities, organisations and community events to the advancement of Aboriginal people.

Kevin Brooks

KB is one of the all-time greats of the NBL, who was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in 1991 NBA Draft. KB played in the NBA with the Denver Nuggets before moving to Australia to play in the NBL with the Adelaide 36ers, Sydney Kings and the Hunter Valley Pirates.

With Brett Maher, he now also co-hosts a weekly internet television show about basketball, Inside the Game, for AustraliaLiveTV.com

Jo Hill

Simply awesome, played basketball all over the world, including;

  • WNBL - Adelaide Lightning, Canberra Capitals
  • WNBA
  • Sydney Olympic Games in 2000 (Silver)
  • Women's Youth World Championships (Gold)
  • FIBA World Championship (Bronze)

Vanessa Wilson

Champion Netball player

  • State League Netball
  • Compete in the Subway Cup, Netball SA at ETSA Park
  • Played State League for 7 years
  • Oakdale Netball Club
  • Oakdale State League team Leadership group 07, 08 & 09

ACHIEVEMENTS:

  • 2009 Subway Cup State League Premiers
  • 2009 Team of the Year at WA
  • 120 State League Games
  • 2002 Represented SA 21 & Under National Championship - Winners
  • 2001 State League Reserves Premiers - Captain with Garville Netball Club
  • 60 State League Reserve Games

Erin Phillips

One of the greatest point guards to come out of South Australia and Australia. Has played basketball all over the world including:

  • WNBL - Adelaide Lightning
  • WNBA - Connecticut Sun
  • European league - Israel and Polish League

Rohanee Cox

Rowy is the first Indigenous woman to represent Australia in Olympic basketball.

  • 2009 FIBA Oceania Championship (Gold); Opals v China Series; Opals China-Europe tour
  • 2008 Beijing Olympic Games (Silver)
  • 2008/09 Named WNBL Most Valuable Player
  • 2007/08 WNBL All-Star Five
  • 2007 Opals squad member
  • 1999-2000 Opals squad member
  • 1998 Opals debut at Brazil Olympic Committee Invitational
  • Leading Scorer; WNBL All Star Five;
  • League Ambassador
  • Signed with Townsville Fire in 2005/06 season
  • Returned to the WNBL in 2002/03 to play with Perth Lynx
  • Played 41 games for the AIS between 1996 and 1998
  • Won silver with the Australian U19 team in 1997 at World Championship for Junior Women