Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year

Sponsored by East Arnhem Regional Council.

Winner: Karen Rogers, Certificate IV in Visual Arts

Employer: Ngukurr Aboriginal Art Corporation
Registered training provider: Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education

Having previously completed a Diploma of Business and working in payroll, Karen Rogers changed her lifestyle and career through art and training. Enrolling in a Certificate IV in Visual Arts she expanded her knowledge and skills set, learned many new techniques and completed her qualification in 2016.

Today Karen is an artist and is employed by the Ngukurr Aboriginal Art Corporation as sales person and director. She now earns a living from what she loves.

Karen uses her business skills and creativity to support others in producing pieces that are both creative and likely to sell.

Karen is excited by online and digital technologies that allow artists to showcase and sell their works to the world and she has personally seen her designs be reproduced on fabrics and other items.

She says that new ways to express stories, culture and identity using business models that capitalise on technology advances must be integral in formal training.

Runner up: Lloyd Mitjpadada, Certificate II in Sport and Recreation

Employer: East Arnhem Regional Council
Registered training provider: Charles Darwin University

Twenty-three year old Yolngu man Lloyd Mitjpadada joined the East Arnhem Regional Council in 2013 and currently works as sport and recreation officer after completing his Certificate II in Sport and Recreation last year.

The council’s Youth, Sport and Recreation Program aims to create healthy minds and bodies through sport, recreation, art and cultural activities and it is Lloyd’s job to lead and coordinate many of these activities. Lloyd is a respected young man, student and employee in his community.

Lloyd is the only Yolgnu youth, sport and recreation mentor in East Arnhem Land and is now in the process of completing his Certificate III in Sports and Recreation. Lloyd is very supportive of ‘ongoing’ learning and can see the benefits. He says, “it is important in remote communities that we learn both ways”.

In addition to his Certificate II in Sport and Recreation, Lloyd has also attained a Certificate I in Horticulture, a First Aid Certificate and was awarded the Adrian Wagg Encouragement Award in 2016 by NT Government’s Department of Business.