About us
About Yalari
We believe education is the key to generational change
Since 2005, Yalari has been providing Indigenous children from regional and remote communities across Australia the opportunity to receive a full boarding school scholarship for their entire secondary education.
We believe education is the key to generational change and a brighter future for Indigenous Australians and for our nation. We are deeply committed to the ongoing success of our national program of scholarships, student support and post-school opportunities.
In 2025, we have 251 students on Yalari scholarships nationally. We also have a group of almost 600 alumni studying at universities, working or undertaking further training.
Our Vision
Yalari’s vision is to be one of Australia’s great enduring educational and leadership foundations empowering Indigenous people from regional and remote Australia.
Our Purpose
To create equitable opportunities and outcomes for successive generations of Indigenous children.
To develop leading programs educating and supporting Yalari’s students and alumni, individually and collectively, as qualified, contributing, culturally connected and influential Australians.
To honour all Australians by sharing Indigenous cultures through stories, healing, laughter and truth.
Our CORRIE Values
- Compassion
- Openness
- Respect
- Resilience
- Inclusiveness
- Excellence
The Yalari story
In 1979, a young Aboriginal boy growing up in rural Queensland was awarded a scholarship to attend Toowoomba Grammar School. Waverley Stanley went on to become the first Indigenous student to complete Year 12 and to be appointed school Prefect in the school’s 100+ year history.
More than 20 years later, Waverley and his wife Llew Mullins, backed by a group of like-minded and generous supporters, established Yalari to give young Indigenous students from remote and regional areas that same opportunity.
Named in honour of the Year 7 teacher who helped to organise Waverley’s scholarship, Rosemary Bishop Indigenous Education Scholarships are awarded annually to approximately 50 children from across Australia who are about to start their secondary schooling. The scholarships cover full boarding and tuition costs to attend some of Australia’s leading boarding schools right through to Year 12 and are funded by corporate sponsors, trusts and foundations, individuals and government programs.
Our scholarships are complemented by a holistic network of educational, pastoral, personal and cultural support.
Our Student Support Officers (SSOs) who are based in cities and major centres across Australia, journey alongside our students. Through our Wellbeing Program, SSOs work with parents and guardians, school staff and community services to monitor each student’s wellbeing and encourage them to develop and maintain their cultural connections. We also have a dedicated group of volunteer tutors who provide one-on-one academic help and guidance.
Most importantly, we understand the value of students supporting students through the connections and friendships they make at our annual camps, workshops and cultural activities.
