Zenith RBA is a proud partner of the Polly Farmer Foundation (PFF) and their ‘Follow The Dream’ initiative. The purpose of the Follow The Dream program is to deliver culturally responsive academic enrichment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students that develop knowledge, confidence and self-belief, inspiring students to achieve their school and career plans.

This month we talk to Daenah Blackley, who shares her experience of the Follow The Dream program and her aspirations for the future.

Tell us about yourself ?

My name is Daenah Blackley, I am a Walmajarri and Gooniyandi woman from Fitzroy Crossing who has been living in Perth where I have just finished year 12 at Fremantle College. I am interested in AFL having played it for 8 years at a junior football club and also for my school’s AFL academy. I also love going fishing on the Fitzroy River with my family, enjoying the peace of the country.

What PFF FTD program are you part of?

I have been a part of the Follow the Dream (FTD) program at Fremantle College for 5 years not only going on excursions, camps, and doing tutoring. These experiences not only created great memories for me but also helped me with my studies through the tutor's constant encouragement and teaching methods. Because of the help of my FTD coordinator, I was able to be a part of the Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy and attend the Curtin University Indigenous Australian Engineering School (IAES) Camp.

Tell us about how FTD has supported your journey to recently graduating Year 12?

During my time at FTD I was selected to attend a STEM camp in Melbourne which gave me an insight into environmental engineering and sustainability. During this trip Fremantle FTD visited the Zenith factory in Sandringham where we went to explore the building processes of Zenith’s products. Thanks to Zenith for helping fund our Melbourne trip, the staff were friendly and fantastic. The trip was my first time interstate and was a memorable experience for me providing many opportunities for me to think about my future. Not only did my experiences with these programs helped me solidify my decision on studying engineering, but also excursions at universities coordinated by FTD gave me confidence on how I can achieve my goal.

What are your aspirations following school?

From the Curtin (IAES) camp, I found out about the Indigenous pre-science and engineering enabling course which I will be taking this year. My FTD coordinator helped me in applying for the course answering questions I had and also helped me to contact Curtin with questions he couldn’t answer. At Curtin, I aspire to study civil engineering hopefully getting a job to help design iconic structures that I can proudly say I helped create that.