Football star David Wirrpanda has encouraged Swan View Senior High School students to dream big and make sure they complete their education in order to achieve their goals during a PALS workshop at the campus.
Recently speaking to 17 students from the school’s Follow The Dream Partnerships For Success project and six staff members, Mr Wirrpanda was a guest speaker at a workshop organised through the Partnership, Acceptance, Learning, Sharing (PALS) program.
PALS is an initiative of the Department of Indigenous Affairs in partnership with BHP Billiton that encourages young Western Australians to develop projects that promote and advance Reconciliation.
Mr Wirrpanda told the students that despite all of his achievements on and off the football field, he was still disappointed that he didn’t complete his high school education.
“I left school at the end of Year 9,” he said.
“There is one thing that I do regret and that’s not completing high school.
“Education is the most important part of your life, it’s your ticket to life.”
Mr Wirrpanda urged them to make the most of the educational opportunities on offer.
He described being a young boy growing up in Arnhem Land before moving to Melbourne as an eight year old and explained that an inspirational visit to his school from Olympic athlete Cathy Freeman encouraged him to set goals and aim high.
He said he worked hard despite setbacks and avoided the pitfalls of peer pressure before beginning his career with The West Coast Eagles as a 16 year old.
Follow The Dream Partnerships For Success Project Manager Debra Merson said the workshop was a great success.
The FTD program was designed to help aspirational Indigenous students already gaining good academic results to achieve their educational goals.
“The PALS workshop was of great benefit to the students,” she said.
“It was great for the students to hear from David about persistence, setting goals and not being influenced by others.
“The visit has been the highlight of the term.”
