The Impact100 community has been even more valuable than the original grant and last for years after the funding is gone.
St Catherine’s College Dandjoo Darbalung Program is an Indigenous access program for tertiary students in Western Australia. Students travel from around the country to study at any of Perth’s five universities and reside at St Catherine’s College. Dandjoo Darbalung works with students to ensure they have cultural, academic, and pastoral support while having the opportunity to be mentors to younger Indigenous students. Between studying and enjoying the numerous activities offered in a residential college students can also travel to regional and remote communities, tutor local students, learn traditional dance, didgeridoo or just connect with other Indigenous people and organizations. Impact100 identified a gap in funding Indigenous tertiary students. We found that on arrival at the university there were significant costs involved in setting up student’s rooms and ensuring students had access to technology, transport cards and textbooks. Impact100 not only provided the funding but also the volunteers who came in and made students rooms up so on arrival, students felt welcome by a community that wanted to see them succeed. Impact100 can fund projects that other funders can’t or don’t. There was a real need in providing students with a ‘University Starter Pack’ and yet no government agency or funder could support providing the essentials to new students. Impact100 not only provides the funding but connects students to 1,000 members of our community. Students, through our involvement with Impact100, have been offered parttime employment, opportunities in government, policy making, consultation and research, family dinners or outings. The Impact100 community has been even more valuable than the original grant and lasts for years after the funding is gone.
