Renee Sumich, a UWA Juris Doctor student, recently spent the winter uni break supporting the work of the Youth Involvement Council in South Hedland through a McCusker Centre for Citizenship internship.
“I wanted to step out of my comfort zone and learn more about issues that are close to home but outside of my own community, to challenge my perspective,” Renee said.
Renee helped to deliver a range of the Youth Involvement’s Council’s services for children and young people during her stay in South Hedland.
“I arrived during school holidays, as well as NAIDOC week, and I got to be involved in many community-based celebrations.
“We supported the kids day-to-day, picking kids up who normally wouldn’t have transport to these events, and engaged with them throughout the day.
“We also did nightly patrols where we would drive around in a bus and offer kids a safe ride home,” she said.
“This work made me realise that there is plenty you can do in your community to help, rather than just give money - community is about connection.
Vicki-Tree Stephens is CEO of Youth Involvement Council CEO, and was Renee’s internship supervisor.
“We take pride in the great work we do in our community and welcome interns like Renee to join the team and help us create great experiences for young people,” she said.
“Renee settled in quickly and the team didn’t want her to leave; she really did make the most of her experience and her fresh eyes provided essential feedback for us as a team.”
As well as the experience of delivering activities and services for children and young people, the internship gave Renee some unique and valuable opportunities to gain greater understanding of issues present for regional WA communities, and to speak with people in the legal profession.
“We were invited to attend the annual Yule Bush Meeting on-country, where I got to hear and learn about issues affecting Indigenous people across the Pilbara region.
“We heard the position statements raised by the Elders and Emerging Leaders on community issues faced in the Pilbara region, including systematic reform, education, health, and community safety.
“The discussion made me aware of the effects of mining in these areas and how there is a disproportionate amount of wealth that is being funnelled out of the region without the ‘free, prior and informed consent’ of Indigenous Elders.
“This was a once in a lifetime opportunity to see facilitative and emotional discussions between leaders and Indigenous Elders and is something I will remember for the rest of my life - stakeholders in attendance included Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles MP, Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney, State Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Dr. Tony Buti MLA and Senator Dorinda Cox.”
“I spoke with lawyers in South Hedland working at the Aboriginal Legal Services and they gave me invaluable insight into what it is like to provide their services within a rural community.
“I have learnt that there are many ways to contribute to society and I hope to use my law degree to provide further services to the wider community.”
Image: Renee Sumich (left) with Youth Involvement Council staff, Losaline and Jude.