Yalari Pathways Coordinator – Lincoln Whiteley

​Pathway’s very own Lincoln Whiteley wrote about his journey since finishing school and what he’s currently doing. Lincoln has been working with Pathways for the last year and has developed the now established Yalari Alumni Association.

Lincoln speaks at our 2021 Yalari Brisbane Dinner

“My family is from a farm near Geurie in Central West NSW, on Wiradjuri country. I was lucky enough to follow in my brother’s footsteps on a Yalari scholarship. I went to Riverview in Sydney, graduating in 2013 alongside two other Yalari alumni, Alex Barker and Denzel Tighe. My best memories of Yalari would be going to the camps and catching up with other Yalari students across the country.

After finishing high school, I went straight to Sydney University to study. I lived at St Andrew’s College, a residential college, for two and a half years. I started studying a Bachelor of Secondary Education but then moved to a Bachelor of Arts, and wanting to work full-time, I deferred my studies. I got to a stage where I preferred and was more comfortable working full time than studying.  One of my most memorable times at university was being a part of the Sydney University Rugby Club. I made many good mates, and it was more than just playing rugby.

In 2020, I moved to the Gold Coast, and I am currently working for Yalari’s Pathways team and as Secretariat of the Yalari Alumni Association. I also participate in a Flagship Leadership Program with the ‘Australian Rural Leadership Foundation’ in conjunction with work. I was encouraged by Waverley and Llew to apply, and having been successful, I am now taking part in the course with 28 others from across Australia. Through this course, I have grown a passion for leadership and teamwork. There are many different leadership styles, and when you combine them within a team, I believe that can generate success. I think that leadership, particularly self-leadership, is most important in keeping yourself accountable. It also allows the opportunity for growth. As Waverley says to many of our Yalari students, you can either go through life or grow through life….’

In the next couple of years, I aim to finish the course, take what I’ve learned to the Pathways team, and assist in moving towards perpetuity and generational change — the Yalari vision.

If I had one piece of advice for our current Yalari students, it’d be that graduating Year 12 is only just the beginning.” – Lincoln Whiteley.