Council is pleased to support the new Indigenous Students Pathway Program, which launched on Monday 21 July 2025 at Alex Wilkie Nature Reserve in Springvale South.
This initiative provides a culturally safe and supportive pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to gain industry exposure and work on Country, under the leadership of Debbie Edwards, Student Services Lead at Hampton Park Secondary College.
Council supports the program by providing access to Alex Wilkie Nature Reserve for weekly classroom sessions and supporting the delivery of practical experience through our Bushland Team.
Eight local Indigenous students are participating in this year’s pilot program, with students enrolled from Hampton Park Secondary College, Lyndhurst Secondary College, Cranbourne West Secondary College and
Narre Warren P–12. The program is being delivered in partnership with EcoSkills, Hampton Park Secondary College, the Department of Education, SELLEN, Foundational Learning Centre and Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation.
Initially running as a VET course in 2025, the program is expected to transition into a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship (SBAT) in 2026.
