Shaylem Wilson
She/Her | Ngarrindjeri
Shaylem is a proud Ngarrindjeri woman, living on Kaurna Yarta (Adelaide). Shaylem is the Principal Aboriginal Advocate at the Office of the Guardian for Children and Young People, working as an advocate for Aboriginal young people in care and/or detention. With a strong commitment to advocating for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, she provides cultural leadership, strategic advice, and works to ensure their voices, rights, and interests are heard and respected. Beyond her role in advocacy, Shaylem serves as a Non-Executive Director at YWCA Australia, focusing on gender equality, young women’s leadership, and accessible housing for all women. She is also pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology at the University of Adelaide. Passionate about self-determination and equity, Shaylem is dedicated to empowering the next generation to lead and thrive.
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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
