Fullaship

Fullaship Program Origins

The Fullaship Program was birthed by a collective of young First Nations people, facilitated by Culture is Life, called The Culture Squad. They met regularly to mobilise advocacy initiatives, campaigns and training opportunities for young mob living in Narrm (Melbourne) and nationally.

Each member advised Culture is Life on the importance of a structured program to develop young people’s skills and experiences across four identified pillars: Pathways, Advocacy, Leadership & Development, and Mentoring.

In 2021, First Nations people from different professional sectors contributed to the curriculum and structure of the first program delivered in 2022, resulting in 7 participants across Australia being invited to join the inaugural Fullaship Program.

The program now has 29 Alumni who continue to grow and invest in the needs and ideas of its participants, to strengthen the program and its outcomes into the future.

Fullaship Program Overview

The Fullaship Program supports young First Nations adults to strengthen their own self-determination, explore holistic wellbeing practices, and emphasises the importance of connection to Culture, Community and Country through reflective and practical experiences. Over the program, Fellows receive a range of support through virtual and in-person sessions. Fellows share their lived experiences, build connections to broaden their networks and participate in a variety of activities that aim to challenge, encourage and inspire each other to develop their skills and deepen their purpose.

Core elements of the program include:

• Opening Circle in February, Closing Circle in October
• Monthly online workshops by guest facilitators, Culture is Life staff and Fullaship Alumni
• Monthly online check-ins to support wellbeing and track progress
• Two in-person intensives and one final Ceremony in different locations across Australia
• Access to wellbeing support through Culture is Life’s partnership with ABSTARR.

In 2026, we refreshed the Fullaship program to introduce four core guiding Pillars. These build directly upon our original foundational elements—Pathways, Advocacy, Leadership, and Mentorship. Fellows continue to participate in a variety of activities that aim to challenge, encourage and inspire each other to forge their own pathways, understand forms of advocacy, learn about leadership qualities and mentor one another through peer relationships.

Social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB)

Fullaship supports young First Nations adults to learn a strengths-based model for their wellbeing which they can use to support their ongoing connections, stay strong in culture, community and within themselves so they can dream big. This is supported through:

• Unpacking the strengths-based SEWB model together.
• Role-modelling what connections in each domain can look like.
• Access and support to engage with a First Nations counsellor during the program
• Qualified First Nations counselor to facilitate closing circles on intensives.
• Providing space to reflect on intensives alongside regular grounding, briefing and debriefing.
• Reflection and learning workbook.

Cultural Values

As Fellows, young people strengthen their cultural identity by identifying, practicing and reflecting on their individual and collective cultural values. This is supported through:

• Support to group to define collective values.
• Guiding regular values reflection.
• Practicing cultural protocols.
• Participating in cultural activities led by cultural Custodians and Elders.
• Connecting with and learning from Elders.
• Holding gender-specific yarning circles.
• Visiting and learning about different First Nations lands/language groups.

Self-determination

Fellows are supported to uncover their purpose and build on their strengths and gifts in the collective movement for First Nations self-determination. This is provided through:

• Almost 100% First Nations external Elders, facilitators and guest speakers invited into the program to connect with Fellows.
• Support to learn the history of resistance and Nation Building in Australia.
• Working with and teaching Aboriginal ways of being, doing and knowing.
• Visiting significant sites during Intensives to learn about different cultural practices, language and history.

Community

Fullaship continues to build a national community of young, diverse, First Nations adults – intimately connected to each other and linked to a broader network of First Nations role models – who are prepared and supported to use their learning and ideas to serve their own communities. This is provided through:

• Time and space for Fellows to connect and build close relationships with each other.
• Connection to a national network of peers.
• Connections with an ecosystem of blak Elders, orgs and individuals.
• On-country engagement with local communities, organisations and leaders.
• Support for Fellows to take ideas and inspiration back to their own communities
• Post-program connection, relationship and investment through an active Alumni network.

The 2025 Fullaship Program

• Alyssa Perkins (Eastern Arrernte, Warumungu, Wiradjuri, Waanyi)
• Blake Iles (Iman, Ghungalu and Darumbal)
• Daina Hopkins-Farrow (Larrakia and Gurindji)
• Tuantai Sumner (Kaurna and Ngarrindjeri)
• Tyson Neal Edwards (Waddawurrung, Gunditjmara and Arrernte)
• Waniki Alofipo (Malu Kiwai, Zenadh Kes Boigu Island, Torres Strait)

The 2024 Fullaship Program

• Armani Francois (Central Eastern Arrernte and Torres Strait Islander)
• Brianne Yarran (Whadjuk, Ballardong and Wagyl Kaip of Noongar Nation)
• Bri Apma Hayes (Arrernte)
• Irwin Lewis (Gooniyandi, Nhanda, Widi and Wiradjuri)
• Jeremy Last (Ngaanyatjarra and Pitjantjatjara)
• Joel Matysek (Meuram tribe on Erub Island)
• Koby Sellings (Gunai Kurnai)
• Raychelle Mckenzie (Anbarra, Nakara, Yamatji and Luritja)
• Shai-Lee Fairman (Wiradjuri)

The 2023 Fullaship Program

• Anna-Rita Fauid (Kulkalgal)
• Guyala Bayles (Birri Gubba and Wonnarua)
• Hakon Dyrting (Garrawa and Djugun / Yawuru)
• Jalen Sutcliffe (Darumbal and Papua New Guinean)
• Maya Hodge (Lardil)
• Shaylem Wilson (Ngarrindjeri)
• Tristan Nelliman-Adams (Wuthathi / Torres Strait Islander)
• Zachary Kollman (Pitjantjatjara Anangu)

The 2022 Fullaship Program

• Bek Lasky (Wakaya)
• Caleb Thaiday (Meriam)
• Donny Imberlong (Jaru)
• Leyla Quartermaine (Ballardong Noongar)
• Lillian Arnold-Rendell (Dharug and Kamiliroi)
• Malachi Murljacic (Kunja)
• Manny Williams (Kalkadoon, Pitta Pitta and Bundjalung)