Situated in Melbourne’s north, where the city meets the country, Wallan is a quiet town with a strong sense of community. This is where Shanina moved with her family when she commenced Year 2, after moving from nearby Alexandra.
Her primary school, Upper Plenty Primary School (UPPS), was a place deeply rooted in the family. Close relatives had also attended, and today, her younger cousins and stepsister still walk the same hallways. “UPPS is just out of town, kind of in the bush area but not quite, so there were lots of things to do during recess and lunch,” said Shanina. “My favourite things to do there was play games like Capture the Flag.”
When Shanina as offered a Yalari scholarship to attend Geelong Grammar School (GGS) in 2021, it meant leaving the familiarity of Wallan and her close-knit family behind. “When I first joined GGS I was excited because my older cousin was here in Year 12, it felt good knowing that I knew someone who had already experienced boarding at GGS. I also had my cousin Mia starting in Year 7 with me, so it was nice having someone I knew by my side. Coming from being with my big family all the time and being at home to an environment where I was sharing a room with 10 strangers was hard.”
But as time passed, those strangers became close friends. “The adjustment took some time and some tears, but eventually it became better. The girls and I became close, and I made some friends that I am still friends with now,” Shanina says. This support network was particularly important to her during COVID, when faced with extended periods of lockdown.
In Year 9, Shanina took on ‘Timbertop’ – Geelong Grammar’s remote, tech-free campus where students hike, run, and study in the foothills of the Victorian Alps. “Timbertop is definitely a very hard year and there are a lot of times where you want to just give up and go home, but everyone is so supportive and understanding, because they are experiencing the same things as you. There are so many things you learn about yourself during this year and so many things you achieve that you never thought even possible.”
Now back at campus and in the thick of her senior studies, Shaninas passion for learning continues to grow. “My favourite subject lately has been psychology, and I am very excited to start doing music, as I love doing my singing lessons and playing guitar.”
Despite the distance from home, staying connected to culture is a priority. “I stay connected by keeping in touch with my family as much as I can and keeping up to date with everything that’s happening at home. At school I take as many opportunities as possible I can to connect with the other Indigenous students, whether they are on Yalari or not, and over the years together we have become close. Knowing that the school cares about Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week helps make the other students and I feel seen.”
Looking ahead, Shanina is considering university on the Gold Coast, but she knows her Yalari journey doesn’t end with graduation. “Yalari has made such an impact on my life, my future and myself. Yalari will forever be such a big part of me, and I will forever be grateful for the opportunities the scholarship has given me.”
