Since 2022, Origin Energy has played a key role in supporting Yalari’s mission, providing four student scholarships, attending Gala Dinners and camps, and supporting career pathways for Indigenous students. Their commitment to education and opportunity has not only impacted students currently on scholarships, but has also extended to Yalari alumni who are now building successful careers within the company.
Tania Carlos, Origin’s Early Talent and Diversity Specialist Consultant, shares a personal connection with Yalari, with her goddaughter being a Yalari scholarship recipient over 15 years ago, an opportunity that opened doors to university and a successful career. “Being from regional Australia, a Yalari scholarship gave her so many more opportunities,” Tania shares. “She was given a great education, leading to a place at university, where she’s since graduated and is now forging a successful career.”
Origin’s commitment to long-term impact is also reflected in the career pathways they have created for Yalari alumni. Two graduates are now working for Origin mines in in their gas fields, including Sarah-Cait Kirkland, who began her mechanical apprenticeship with Origin after graduating from John Paul College. These opportunities provide real-world experience and sustainable career growth for Indigenous young people, reinforcing Origin’s broader ‘Stretch’ Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
Yalari alum Sarah-Cait Kirkland completing her mechanical apprenticeship with our supporter Origin Energy.
Yalari alum visiting Origin Energy’s gas fields in Roma, Queensland.
“Origin’s vision for Reconciliation is to build respectful, meaningful, and sustainable relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, fostering opportunities for economic participation and cultural understanding,” says Tania. “Through our Stretch RAP, we are committed to increasing Indigenous employment, procurement, and community partnerships to drive long-term, systemic change.”
For Tania and the wider Origin team, their involvement with Yalari has been deeply rewarding. Having attended multiple Orientation Camps, she has seen firsthand the resilience and determination of students making the leap from home to boarding school. “I love meeting the students – seeing them take on this massive change to attend boarding school. I am continuously in awe of their resilience and determination.”
That same pride was reinforced at the Year 11 Pathways Camp, where Tania helped students explore their career options. “I left feeling so invigorated and excited for their future,” she says. “They have already far exceeded what statistics say they ‘should,’ and seeing their talent and ambition makes me so hopeful for the future of Indigenous Australia.”
