Celebrating Our 20th Anniversary
Yalari's History
From the
Founding Directors
A lot can happen in 20 years. Sometimes I look back and feel like it was only yesterday that we enrolled our first scholarship recipients into their respective schools, we presented our first fundraising dinner, we held our first Orientation Camp and Central Australian Camps, and we celebrated our first students graduating Year 12.
However, we needed to have 20 years experience to acknowledge with confidence and humility, that Yalari works. Educating and empowering Indigenous children and young adults means they have a very real opportunity to live a life of choice, determination, contribution and freedom.
There have been many lessons along the way, and that’s where our greatest growth occurred. As a medium sized, not-for-profit company, reaching 20 years of working with Indigenous children and families, our partner schools, our supporters and sponsors, staff and volunteers, inspires us to keep going and looking forward towards a future of equity for all in this wonderful country of Australia.
Generational change is within our hands, we can see it every day already. Many thanks to those who have been a part of our journey over the last 20 and believed in us, walked beside us, and sometimes carried us, we are so very grateful. Thank you.
Yalari was established on 13 April 2005 by Waverley Stanley, his wife Llew Mullins and a group of like-minded and generous supporters.
Yalari was assisted with start-up funding and support from AVCAL (Australian Venture Capital Association Limited) and DEEWR (Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations).
The first three boarding students start at Toowoomba Grammar School and The Glennie School.
Yalari’s inaugural fundraising dinner in Sydney raises in excess of $300,000.
13 new scholarship recipients start at six different boarding schools around Australia.
The inaugural Yalari Orientation Camp was held at Tallebudgera on the Gold Coast.
PBI (Public Benevolent Institution) endorsement by the Australian Tax Office.
Yalari raises in excess of $1 million through partnerships, private and corporate donations.Â
25 new students receive Yalari scholarships at PLC Armidale, The Armidale School, Abbostleigh, Scots PGC, St Ignatius’ College Riverview, Scotch Oakburn College, and Rockhampton Grammar School.Â
Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation becomes Yalari’s first major partner.
Yalari offers a further 34 students scholarships through its partner schools.Â
Waverley Stanley is named Ernst & Young’s Social Entrepreneur of the Year (Nth Region).
The first year 9 Central Australia Camps were held.
Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC, Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia, accepts the patronage of Yalari and attends the annual Brisbane Fundraising Dinner.
Yalari celebrates its 5th birthday!
The Federal Government awards the administration of part of its Indigenous Youth Leadership Program to Yalari, adding 66 transitioning students and a further 9 schools to our program.
Powderfinger, one of Australia’s most successful rocks bands, supports Yalari throughout their ‘Sunsets’ farewell tour of Australia in late 2010.
17 Yalari students graduate Year 12.
Yalari staff and students took part in the inaugural Commemorative Walk to Cherbourg, honouring the thousands of Durundur people who were forcibly removed from their traditional lands and relocated to the Barambah Aboriginal Reserve – now known as Cherbourg.
Yalari’s head office is devastated by fire.
The Gold Coast Titans NRL Club generously donate office space and the Yalari community rallies to get us back on our feet.
25 students graduate Year 12.
Year 10 Yalari scholars raised $20,000 throughout the year to collectively fund the first ‘Pay It Forward’ scholarship – covering a full year of boarding and tuition for a future student.
The Yalari office is relocated to Siganto Drive, Helensvale.
Waverley travels to South Africa for his Churchill Fellowship.
Yalari celebrates its 10th Birthday!
Yalari has 173 scholars and 137 graduates.
28 partner schools across Australia and 28 students graduate Year 12.
Inaugural Yalari Captaincies.
Inaugural Yalari National Volunteer Awards.
21 students graduate Year 12.
Yalari is featured on ABC’s Australian Story, click here to watch.
46 new scholars start their Yalari journey.
Yalari has 184 scholars and over 300 alumni.
33 students graduate Year 12.
Waverley is recognised in the Australia Day Honours List 2019 and was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for “significant service to the Indigenous community through support of education.”
Yalari celebrate its 15th Birthday with over 200 scholars and nearly 400 alumni.
Yalari purchases its head office located in Helensvale on the Gold Coast.
Yalari has 229 scholars and over 445 alumni.
26 students graduate Year 12.
674 scholarships awarded to date.
Yalari holds its first Sponsors and Alumni Camp to Central Australia. From Alice Springs to Uluru, attendees were immersed in cultural experiences with Arrente, Luritja and Anangu Traditional Owners and families.Â
Warrior Spirit Camp held in conjunction with 9RQR for our alumni at Enoggera, Queensland.Â
First two alumni appointed to the Yalari board, Kyol Blakeney and Ebonie Sadler-Small.
Alumni gathering at Government House in Canberra with the Governor General of Australia.
Celebrating 20 years with over 251 scholars and 588 alumni, with 20 partner schools and 839 scholarships awarded to date.
Yalari partners with the Centre for Social Impact (CSI) at the University of Western Australia to investigate key outcomes the Yalari program has achieved over two-decades of operations. View the results here.Â
Art Auction
To celebrate 20 years of Yalari, our students and alumni have created five unique artworks, each reflecting their culture, personal stories, and a special tribute to Yalari’s 20-year anniversary.
With all proceeds going towards the Yalari Foundation, bid now on these one-of-a-kind artworks.
Show your support
The Yalari Foundation is home to the Mary Boydell Endowment Fund. Earnings from this fund will help Yalari operate in perpetuity.
Click here for more information about the Yalari Foundation.
