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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The 2025 Fellows just wrapped an incredible week in Garramilla on Larrakia Country, a week of reflection, storytelling, healing and deep connection with community and Country.
From Uncle Dr Richard Fejo’s Saltwater Ceremony, to SEWB learnings with Mark Nannup, values grounding with Aunty Steff, storytelling with Gen Grieves, visits to Children’s Ground and Minramana Community, and a beautiful bush medicine workshop with Aunty Cheryl, every day was packed with culture, growth and purpose.
We closed with a powerful circle led by Dr Carmen Cubillo and heartfelt ‘Who You?’ presentations that brought the cohort even closer.
Huge love to all our First Nations hosts and facilitators for welcoming us so generously.
❤️🤎🖤
Join award-winning filmmaker Rachel Perkins and esteemed historian Henry Reynolds at the launch of The Australian Wars book tomorrow night. After sold out launch events in Sydney and Melbourne, the conversation now heads to The Australian War Memorial on Ngunnawal Country in Canberra.
Rachel has long called for First Nations people who died in Frontier Wars conflicts – as well as colonists who were killed – to be officially recognised by this institution ❤️🖤🤎
Co-edited with Stephen Gapps, Mina Murray, and Henry Reynolds, this ground breaking book was conceived by Rachel Perkins following her award-winning documentary series of the same name, produced by Blackfella Films for SBS. 🎥✨
Image credit: Dylan River
@rachelperkinsau @allenandunwin @stephen.gapps @_mina.murray
📚 Launching The Australian Wars Book!
Huge congratulations to everyone involved in creating The Australian Wars book, being launched around the country this week!
Co-edited with Stephen Gapps, Mina Murray, and Henry Reynolds, the book was conceived by the incredible Rachel Perkins following her award-winning documentary series produced by Blackfella Films for SBS. 🎥✨
The book builds on the meticulous research conducted for the documentary series, and covers Frontier Wars battles across all the states and territories. It’s a hugely valuable resource for history teachers, and essential reading for all Australians to progress truth-telling in this country. ❤️🖤🤎
Look out for launch events happening in:
Gadigal Country (Sydney)
Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung Country (Melbourne)
Ngunnawal Country (Canberra) ... and hopefully more to come!
🔍Look it up! Don’t miss this important work.
@rachelperkinsau @allenandunwin @stephen.gapps @_mina.murray Henry Reynolds
Don’t miss this! Tomorrow night in Naarm!
We’re so proud that our Education Consultant and Fullaship Elder, Aunty Stephanie Armstrong OAM, will be in conversation with Mervyn Bishop and Tim Dobbyn to launch the illustrated biography; Black, White + Colour!
Mervyn Bishop took one of the most significant photos in Australian history: Gough Whitlam pouring a handfull of sand into the hands of Vincent Lingiari. As Australia’s first Aboriginal press photographer, his story is a must-hear.
Still a few tickets left - book via trybooking!
Avenue Bookstore, Elsternwick. It’s FREE!
Leyla is a proud Noongar woman who works to amplify the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in Victoria. From advocating for strength-based mentoring programs to representing young mob in key policy forums, her work is deeply rooted in community and cultural strength.
She is a graduate of the 2022 Fullaship Program, a three-time Melbourne Fashion Week model, and has represented Australia at the World Indigenous Suicide Prevention Conference. Having overcome immense adversity, Leyla is committed to breaking cycles and creating spaces for young people to see their worth, pursue their dreams, and step into opportunities that were never designed for them. Above all, she carries forward the values of love, care, and integrity instilled in her by her Nan, whose legacy she continues to honor in all that she does.
📣The school year is flying, but there’s still time to bring our 2025 NAIDOC Education Resources into your classroom!
Here’s a peak at some engaging activities for Early Learning to Year 10, aligned with this year’s theme, ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy.’ Designed to be used all year round!
❤️💛🖤
Download Now: Find the official resources (developed by Culture is Life, National NAIDOC Committee, and ABC Education) on our website.
Share Your Voice: Used them already? We want to hear your experience! Complete our quick feedback survey.
🔗 Links in bio!
Professional development webinars for teaching The Australian Wars are now live on our YouTube channel! 📺
Access some of our best discussions anytime and share these essential resources with your colleagues ✨
Deepen your understanding and boost your confidence with Rachel Perkins and our team of Aboriginal educators! 🫶🏽
🔗 Link in bio!
Bek is a proud Wakaya woman, born and raised on Wadawurrung Country in Geelong. In recent years, she has lived and worked across Darwin, Brisbane, and now the Gold Coast.
At the heart of Bek’s work is a deep commitment to using her voice to empower others—especially young people—to embrace their power, identity, and creativity through the mediums that speak to them.
Fullaship Expressions of Interest Now Open!
👉🏽Link in bio
