Albany’s first Aboriginal leadership conference pushing for region’s youth to have a brighter future

The Great Southern Noongar Emerging Leadership Group hosted its inaugural Aboriginal Leadership Conference on Wednesday to push for a brighter future for the region’s youth.

Held in the Kalenyup Studio at the Albany Entertainment Centre, the conference was a collaboration between the GSNELG and the Department of Education in Albany.

The conference was aimed at Aboriginal staff working in sectors that deal with Aboriginal youth, and included keynote speakers, a session with local elders, sharing of success stories, and networking opportunities.

GSNELG spokesman Stuart Roberts deemed the event a success.

“We were wanting to bring the elders and community leaders together to hear from each other and what leadership means, life experiences and their journey to help support young people,” he said.

“The wealth in information and knowledge shared — it was incredible hearing from the elders.

“We want to encourage young people, support them and how to pass that on ... it was a healthy discussion.”

Noongar elder Lester Coyne said the conference was full of passionate speakers wanting a better future for Indigenous children.

He said he wanted it to become an annual event.

“It was starting the conversation, with young people and elders working together to maintain a social glue,” he said.