Alumni Magazine Issue 5

Ricky Grace MASTER OF EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP CLASS OF 2003 Ricky is the founder and CEO of Role Models and Leaders Australia (RMLA), a not- for-profit organisation that delivers mentoring programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth. This year he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday Honour List for his significant service to the Indigenous community. “I am grateful for the recognition but I would not have achieved somuch without the great staff that are by my side,” said Ricky. “We currently support 2,860 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls at 43 Academies in Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales. In the 15 years since we started we have supported over 11,200 girls – but we’re only just scratching the surface.” RMLA oversees Up4It and Girls Academy, two mentoring programs for Indigenous youth. The latter, RMLA’s flagship program, is an in-school mentoring and leadership program that works one-on-one with girls to help them realise their potential. “At Girls Academy we identify and eliminate any barriers that stand in the way of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls attending, achieving at and graduating from school. Our staff are mentors and role models for our students demonstrating leadership, courage and dedication.” To find out more info and support Ricky’s work, visit girlsacademy.com.au . “My hope is that we can exponentially increase the number of Academies so we can support more girls each year and play a significant role in closing the gap.” Entrepreneurship spotlight MEET OUR ALUMNI WHO ARE CLOSING THE GAP, KICK-STARTING BUSINESSES AND INNOVATING WORKPLACES WITH NEW TECHNOLOGIES. Alumni Magazine – Page 22 E N T R E P R E N E U R S H I P