Cameron, a Wesley College graduate from Induction Group 7, chose Yiramalay over a trip to Thailand for adventure. Unexpectedly, he gained deep insights into Indigenous culture. Cameron cherished connections made with local and Wesley students, exploring Bunuba country, and learning respect for all cultures. Yiramalay sparked personal growth, broadened his outlook on life, and influenced his career path. He studied Criminology and Human Rights and now has a graduate job with the Attorney General's Department, possibly leading to policy and reform work. His time at Yiramalay profoundly changed his perspective on the world.
What drew you to apply to go to Yiramalay?
At the time it was a toss up between a trip to Thailand or Yiramalay, and then at the information session for Yiramalay, one of the local boys talked about swimming with fresh water crocodiles, and then my friends and I were like this is for us; that sense of adventure and going somewhere completely different to where we had been before. I went for the adventure but I learnt so much about Indigenous culture that was really unexpected; you just can’t do that kind of learning in a classroom.
What are some of your memories and highlights of Yiramalay?
The connections that I made up there with the local students and the other Wesley students, many of which I still have. It was also amazing to explore the Bunuba country and have local people share their insights and special sacred places and stories, something that you could never get from just driving through the Kimberley. Other highlights included working on the cattle station, afternoon sports and troopy rides.
What are a couple of lessons you’ve taken away from your time at Yiramalay?
Respect for all cultures; not just Indigenous cultures, but all cultures. Everyone has their place in this world and all cultures should all be acknowledged and celebrated.
I learnt things about myself, as it was such a pivotal time in anyone’s life, and I got a sense that the world was bigger than me. It was my first taste of there being so much out there to learn about other people. A sense of growing up and bit of a coming of age moment, and a broader outlook on life.
Since graduating, what have you been up to?
I studied a Bachelor of Arts at Monash University, majoring in Criminology and Human Rights, which I really enjoyed. I did a bit of travelling in 2019, including being a staff member on Induction back at Yiramalay for three weeks. Then during COVID I spent two years on a farm in rural Victoria, and in 2022 I came back to Melbourne, working and then travelling again. This year I have started a graduate job with the Attorney General’s Department. It includes communications and policy programs. I am not sure where my current role will take me, but it may be in the direction of policy and reform.
Would you say your time at Yiramalay impacted your career path at all?
Absolutely – I think myself as a person changed in that year, and my time at Yiramalay had a lot to do with that. It changed my perspective on the world.
“My time at Yiramalay gave me a deep respect for all cultures; not just Indigenous cultures, but all cultures. Everyone has their place in this world and all cultures should all be acknowledged and celebrated”