The participants of the Fullaship Program, ‘Fellows’, will experience a range of both virtual and in-person session. They will share lived experience, build connections and networks, and create and experiences that aim to challenge, encourage and inspire them to achieve their own goals and aspirations. Through this, recipients will receive individualised, group mentoring and coaching to enhance their development in the areas of interest, including but not limited to:
- Social and Cultural Entrepreneurship
- Social Advocacy and Policy
- Education
- Academia and Research
- Community Development
The Fullaship Program is tailored to each Fellow’s individual interest and aspirations and will be built on four main pillars: Mentoring, Leadership and Development, Pathways, and Advocacy. The Fullaship Program will have a strong focus on building self-determination, wellbeing, community and cultural support and connection. A brief overview of each of the four pillars and activities included below.
The 2023 Fullaship Program intensive in Warrane (Sydney).
Mentoring
Fundamental to supporting young people grow and achieve their goals is mentoring. As a key pillar of the program, fellows will be provided with many opportunities to engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mentors in group and individual settings. Fellows will connect with Elders and community leaders to help guide, nurture and strengthen their cultural identity. In addition to strong cultural mentors, fellows will have other opportunities to connect with peer and industry mentors.
Fellows will engage in a range of group mentoring opportunities that will focus on building cultural identity, empowerment, resilience and broad skills. Individuals will also be paired with an mentor who has experience in their chosen field of interest. This may include but is not limited to, social and cultural entrepreneurship, academia and research, policy and advocacy, education and community development.
Leadership and Development
Fellows will have access to a range of opportunities related to personal and professional development and leadership. Through this pillar fellows will engage in a range of individual and collaborative activities to build their capacity in leadership and teamwork, develop networks, and further their skills in public speaking, communication, planning and organising. Additionally, recipients will receive personalised development plans to help strengthen skills in their chosen areas of interest.
Guest speakers will also share their own lived experience, challenges and strategies for staying strong. Fellows will learn about the challenges of working in various industries and how others connect to culture and build their wellbeing. Guest speakers will include Elders and community leaders, social advocates, business owners and leaders, academics and other young people who are challenging what it means to be a young Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person in today’s society.
Fellows will also explore their own leadership styles and identify areas they could work on and strengthen.
The 2022 Fullaship Program graduation event.
Advocacy
Throughout the program fellows will be guided through the various arms of advocacy at a policy and government, organisational, community and in grass roots level. They will learn the fundamentals of advocacy including the role of advocacy in national and state policy development. They will also explore leadership in advocacy, with a focus on learning practical skills such as organising, communication, negotiation and diplomacy.
Through this, fellows will develop their own skills in advocacy while also understanding how to maintain safety and establish boundaries in the advocacy and activist space. Fellows will be equipped with an advocacy toolkit and learn how to channel advocacy effectively, becoming leaders and agents for change. During this pillar fellows will hear from a range of guest speakers working in advocacy and social change, as well as completing an advocacy plan for a chosen area of interest.
Pathways
Through this pillar fellows will explore and engage with a variety of projects and activities that seek to grow their window of opportunity. They will have opportunities to explore their own areas of interest and work to complete a project that aligns with areas of the strengthening of cultural values, education and advocacy, social engagement and holistic health and well being. This pillar provides an opportunity for fellows to integrate the skills they have developed throughout the fellowship and apply them in a real-world setting.
The Fullaship Program 2022 Boorloo (Perth) Intensive, visit to Wadjemup (Rottnest Island) with Uncle Len Collard.
Applying for the Fullaship Program
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Jalen’s (Darumbal) message is powerful: young mob don’t have to fit into the narrow paths that have been laid out for them.
University, dance, sport, community, culture, creativity, there are so many ways to lead, grow and build a future on your own terms. ❤️💛🖤
Applications open September 18!
#fullaship #cultureislife #firstnationsyouth #youngmob #powerful
Donny (Jaru) remembers that first Fullaship intensive in Naarm, meeting everyone for the first time and immediately feeling a sense of warmth, connection and belonging with the group, staff and other Fullaship members. ❤️💛🖤
Applications open September 18!
🔗 Find out more via the link in bio.
#fullaship #cultureislife #firstnationsyouth #youngmob #connection
Caleb (Meriam Mir, Erub Kebi Le) joined Fullaship to build their skills ❤️💛🖤
What they didn’t expect was how much it would grow their confidence, support their mental health and change the way they moved through the world.
Applications open September 18!
🔗 Find out more via the link in bio.
#fullaship #cultureislife #firstnationsyouth #youngmob #firstnationsleadership
Bek (Wakaya) talks about why she applied for the Fullaship program.
Applications open September 18!
🔗 Find out more via the link in bio.
#fullaship #cultureislife #firstnations #youngmob #youthprograms
From the very beginning of Culture is Life’s existence Wotjobaluk and Dja Dja Wurrung woman - and our co-founder - Belinda Duarte has been there.
Wearing her heart on her sleeve in every discussion, with everyone she meets, there is never any doubt that her life is all about making sure that young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are safe, thriving and know who they are.
She has shaped our every direction, taken us to where we are but the time has come for her to step away. After 10 years of tireless advocacy and transformational work, Belinda has made the big decision to step back.
The whole Culture is Life family have been inspired by Belinda’s unshakeable desire to see First Nations people thriving. She will leave big shoes to fill but we know that the foundations have been laid for us to keep doing our great work for years and years to come.
The team at Culture is Life
#cultureislife #firstnations #indigenousleadership #blakexcellence #thankyou
The wait is over…we are very excited for Fullaship 2027!
We’ve been busy refreshing the program design and we’re more than ready to work with another deadly group of young First Nations people next year ❤️💛🖤
Keep your eyes out for applications opening in September 👀
Earlier this year we wrapped up the 2025/26 Fullaship Program.
Coming soon we have some exciting news to share about the program.
Keep an eye out! 👀
Culture is Life would like to acknowledge two special people in our network who have both been recognised and nominated as finalists for this year’s National NAIDOC awards. Aunty Steph Armstrong (Gamilaraay/Bigambul) and 2025 Fellow Tyson Neal-Edwards (Gunditjmarra/Waddawurrung/Arrernte).
We are so proud of you both, your hard work and dedication has been amazing to witness first-hand.
With love,
Culture is Life
🤎
@stephanie.armstrong.7543 @kngwarrayee
