The Fullaship Program 2025
Culture is Life is excited to announce that applications are now open for the Fullaship Program 2025. Now entering its fourth year, the program continues to grow a deadly cohort of Alumni who remain committed to their personal and shared vision for themselves and their communities.
Over 12 months, our Fellows engage in mentorship, develop their leadership potential, and gain real-world experience to help them thrive personally and professionally.
Applications are open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Young People, living anywhere in Australia who are aged 18-30 years old.
Find out more about the program below or on our website. Applications close midnight February 7th 2025.
Image: Jeremy Last, 2024 Fellow, with Talicia Minniecon in Gimuy (Cairns).
“Culture is Life does really good work in terms of just allowing young mob to be genuinely and authentically who they are and find that leadership capabilities that we all truly have within ourselves.” – Tristan Nelliman-Adams (Wuthathi and Torres Strait Islander), 2023 Fellow
At Culture is Life we value young mob’s lived experiences, and continually invest in their social & emotional wellbeing. Providing opportunities that align with personal interests, for personal and professional growth, well after the Fullaship as they join our Alumni. The Fullaship Program is designed by young mob, for young mob. So we are always being guided by our Alumni, ensuring it stays culturally accessible for all young mob across the country.
“To apply for this program you don’t have to aspire to become a “leader” in your community, or be considered a “leader” through the western lens of sitting on boards, having awards or degrees. Yes these things are great and it’s deadly to be recognised, but our mob lead changes in many different ways. Whether it be learning and connecting to Culture, overcoming challenges in life, supporting family and community, breaking generational curses or just being the best you can be in today’s society. This program can help you discover your strengths and what you bring to the world.” – Manny Williams (Kalkadoon and Pitta Pitta), 2022 Fellow and now Program Officer (Fullaship) at Culture is Life.
Image: The Fullaship Program Alumni gathering at Laughing Waters, Wurundjeri Country.
Applying for the Fullaship Program 2025
The application form should take approximately 30 minutes to 2 hours to complete, we suggest taking your time and crafting a thoughtful application that helps us get to know you, with an option to upload a video if you want to.
Please see the tips on the application form here, if you would like to reach out for any help with your application please contact info@cultureislife.org.
Successful applications will advance to an online interview in mid March 2025, with the final 8 Fellows being decided at the end of March 2025.
We are looking forward to welcoming our new 2025 Fellows, as our current 2024 progress through the end of their program to join our deadly group of 24 Fullaship alumni!
Applications close midnight 7th February 2025.
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📢 UPDATE! Fullaship Elevation! ✨
We’re taking a strategic pause on Fullaship for 2026.
Why? Because over four incredible years, we’ve gathered so much wisdom and feedback from young mob across the continent. 🖤💛❤️ We value these insights deeply and want to take the time to reflect on all the amazing energy and ideas you’ve shared. 💭⚡
This pause means we will not be recruiting new Fellows this year and instead, can refine and elevate Fullaship, making it the absolute best it can be. 🚀
In the meantime, we’ll be strengthening our connections with our incredible Alumni network and will have other opportunities to connect with Culture is Life throughout the year. 🌿✨
Stay connected, stay deadly, and get ready for a next-level Fullaship in 2027! 🔥 We’re excited for what’s to come, and we hope you’ll keep in touch. 🙌🏽
Our stance on Jan 26 is clear. This is still a Day of Mourning for us as our Elders first declared in 1938.
We have advocated for ten years since our beginning to change the date and we continue to stand with the growing tide of mob and allies calling for change. 💪🏽💪🏼
We support the many mob-led acts of resistance, love and connection happening across the country on Monday. 🖤💛❤️
As Jan 26 draws nearer, we’re inspired by this insight from our Fullaship Alumni, Shaylem.
Wellbeing Tips for Survival Day 🖤💛❤️
✨ Listen to your mind, body, murrup (spirit) and Country, remember the things that help you feel well.
🫶🏽 Seek out safe spaces and surround yourself with people you love.
📵 It’s okay to opt out of social media, rallies, and actions if you don’t feel up to it.
📞 Reach out for support if you need it - 13YARN (13 92 76)
As we wrap up a huge year and the tenth year of our existence 🎉 our gratitude goes out to communities across this continent who continue to support First Nations young people 🤝🏾🌏
Despite the devastating negative statistics we are so often reminded of we know that young mob, with the right support, can thrive and flourish strong in knowing who they are, where they come from and who they are connected to 🖤💛❤️
We continue to be inspired by the hopes and dreams they carry for our shared future ✨
Here are just a few of the many highlights from our year 👇🏾🎬
#cultureislife #firstnations #blakexcellence #youngmob #alwayswasalwayswillbe
“Our ways are not just better for working with our mob, they’re just better. They’re more human ways of working.” ✨
In December, Genevieve Grieves (Worimi) from GARUWA and Shifting Ground presented to the 2025 Fellows on her journey and lived experience navigating institutions 🧭🏛️
Genevieve shared powerful advice and deep insights into how systems really operate ⚙️💡, while highlighting the importance of having strong community around you 🤝🏾🌿
#cultureislife #firstnations #blakexcellence #indigenousleadership #communityfirst
In November 2025, Fellow Tyson Neal Edwards (Waddawurrung, Gunditjmara & Arrernte) shared powerful insights with his peers about the work he and his team led during the Gariwerd (Grampians National Park) fires 🔥🌿
Their leadership in forest fire management, cultural heritage protection and disaster recovery has since been recognised nationally 👏🏽🏆
Big shoutout to Tyson and the incredible work he continues to do. We loved hearing the passion and care you bring to protecting Country 🖤💛❤️
Victoria’s Treaty is here! Victorian Parliament has passed legislation to make the first Treaty with First Peoples in this country a reality. First People’s Assembly of Victoria has organised a celebration in Naarm to officially mark the new Treaty era. It’s a moment for everyone who calls Victoria home to reflect on this long journey and celebrate! 🖤💛❤️
We’re still recovering from the heat wave ☀️💺 but absolutely buzzing after our week on Larrakia Country.
So many thought-provoking convos, deep learnings, and moments that’ll stay with us for a long time.
Huge shoutout to the 2025 Fellows for showing up with heart, courage and curiosity, and to everyone we connected with along the way.
Community, culture and Country… that’s the real magic. ✨
#Fullaship #CultureIsLife #larrakiacountry
