Mentoring: Building Better Futures for Indigenous Youth
When we talk about mentoring, we’re not just talking about teaching a trade or passing down skills. We’re talking about shaping lives. Throughout my own journey, mentoring has played a crucial role. Back in the 1990s, I mentored radio cadets and youth on Perth’s streets. Now, decades later, some of those young people – now grown, working in mental health, and leading positive lives – still reach out to thank me. This proves one thing: mentoring works. And nowhere is this more evident than in the work being done at the Lawn Hill and Riversleigh Youth Mentor Program in the Gulf of Queensland.
How the Lawn Hill and Riversleigh Youth Mentor Program Began
Over a decade ago, the Lawn Hill and Riversleigh partial holding company – majority owned by traditional landowners – recognized a need: creating opportunities for Indigenous youth. Initially, they focused on cattle operations, but soon realized the lasting change would come from empowering the next generation. This spark led to the birth of a structured mentoring program. What started as short-term training soon expanded into long-term, holistic mentoring, building not only pastoral skills but also essential life skills.
Practical Skills Meet Personal Growth
Mentoring at Lawn Hill and Riversleigh goes beyond cattle mustering or fencing. It’s about equipping young people with crucial skills to face life’s challenges. As the program evolved, it became clear that personal development was as important as technical know-how. Life skills such as communication, decision-making, resilience, and goal-setting became central in every training module.
Government Support for Powerful Change
Recognizing the value of this approach, the federal Department of Employment, Education and Workplace Relations supplied support in 2008 to extend the mentoring initiative. The result: Beyond Bibong, a program designed for Indigenous youth across Queensland, operated from Longreach Pastoral College with facilities tailored for effective learning. Most of the instructors are local Indigenous mentors, ensuring cultural continuity and relatability. These extraordinary individuals model success and give invaluable guidance.
Why Mentoring Works: The Lawn Hill and Riversleigh Approach
The secret to successful mentoring is meeting young people where they are. Lawn Hill and Riversleigh target remote communities throughout Queensland, including:
- Caramela
- St George in the southwest
- Warabinda
- Sherburgg
- Hope Vale
- Arakun
- Mornington Island
- Dumagi
By focusing on areas with the greatest need, they ensure no youth falls through the cracks.
Inclusive Enrollment: Giving Every Youth a Chance
One thing that stands out is their open-door policy. There is no strict selection criteria. Instead, the program is designed to reach the most disadvantaged youth, including those who have faced the justice system. For example, a partnership with Cleveland Youth Detention Centre brings two young people from detention into every program cycle, providing a positive path forward after release.
Actionable Lessons from the Program
If you’re looking to create your own mentoring initiative or improve an existing one, here’s what works at Lawn Hill and Riversleigh:
- Center the program on both practical and personal development.
- Involve mentors who share lived experience and cultural connections.
- Keep the opportunity open to all youth, especially those most in need.
- Build strong partnerships with local organizations and support networks.
- Don’t be afraid to start small and grow as the need arises.
Success Stories: How Mentoring Changes Lives
Mentoring is not just about skills – it’s about transformation. Many program graduates go on to become community leaders, skilled workers, and mentors themselves. Youth from some of the most isolated communities find new hope, develop confidence, and start mapping out their futures. Like my radio cadets from the 90s, their lives are changed forever. And, just as importantly, when you mentor others, it changes you, too.
Practical Results and Long-Term Impact
The results speak for themselves. Here are just a few benefits observed over the years:
- Reduced recidivism among youth formerly in detention
- Higher rates of employment and training
- Improved mental health and wellbeing
- Stronger communities as program graduates give back
This is what effective mentoring looks like in action – and why it remains one of the most important investments any community can make.
Conclusion: The Power of Mentoring in Every Community
The Lawn Hill and Riversleigh Youth Mentor Program is a shining example of how powerful mentoring can be, especially when it blends skill-building with life skills and cultural pride. If you want to make a difference, consider how you can start a mentoring relationship in your own life. Whether it’s through formal programs or simply guiding someone who needs direction, remember: small acts of mentoring can ripple through generations.
If you are interested in supporting or learning more about the Lawn Hill and Riversleigh Youth Mentor Program, now is the time to reach out. Mentor someone. Change a life. Watch how both your futures blossom.