The Fullaship Program by Shaylem Wilson

The Fullaship program has been the highlight of 2023 for me. It is not often that young mob are given the opportunity to come together and just be, and whilst this is a leadership program it has turned into something much greater. I have done a few leadership programs in my time and the Fullaship program has exceeded all my expectations, from the opportunities available to us, to the staff providing wrap around support. I have loved every minute of this program and am so honoured to be a part of Culture is Life and the other Fulla’s journeys.

The program has allowed us to be vulnerable and share lived experience, build connections and networks, and experience things as a collective that have inspired me to go further on my own journey of leadership and advocacy. The program has provided us with many opportunities to build upon our already existing skills and allowed us to focus on building self-determination, wellbeing, community and cultural support and connections.

So far, I have enjoyed everything about the Fullaship program. If I had to narrow it down though, it would be the two in-person intensives. These are important to me as it was during these times that we all got to know one another, we formed genuine friendships and shared so many laughs. This quality time together with the other Fulla’s and Culture is Life staff filled my cup, I left both intensives inspired and hopeful for our futures. I’m amazed at how well the group gets on, given we were all strangers to one another at the start of 2023. Everyone respects one another and we all have an understanding of each other’s personalities and qualities, some were jokesters the first time we met and others (like myself) took a while to come out of their shell. There is a deep respect amongst us and no matter the personality type, everyone has a place and I have felt like I truly belong.

During the program, I have greatly appreciated learning from Elders and community leaders. It was a highlight to be able to go out onto Country in Ku-ring-gai National Park in NSW and Lake Clifton in WA, being able to physically connect with Country and hear stories from Traditional Owners is unmatched. I’m honoured that cultural knowledge and thousands of years of history and wisdom was shared with us and that we can take that knowledge back home with us.

I have enjoyed hearing about what other young mob are passionate about and how they want to lead change within their communities. It’s served as reminder on how resilient we are as a people, to still spark joy within others and to share and listen deeply despite the challenges we all face as young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Written by Shaylem Wilson | She/Her | Ngarrindjeri