For most high school graduates, finishing Year 12 is a moment of celebration and relief. For Mossman-born Zavan Salam, it marks the beginning of an ambitious new chapter – one he believes would have been impossible without the guidance of the Cape York Leaders Program (CYLP).
CYLP is a scholarship initiative that provides young people from the Cape with the opportunity to study at some of Queensland’s top boarding schools. It offers financial assistance as well as academic and well-being support.
Salam completed his secondary schooling at St Brendan’s College in Brisbane and credits CYLP for helping him stay on track in his academic and personal life. Throughout his time in school, CYLP ensured Zavan had the supplies and support he needed to excel. Last year, the encouragement paid off when Salam earned an overall academic award for the first and second semesters, an accolade he never imagined receiving just a few years ago.
“They (CYLP) always supported me academically when I needed it,” Zavan said. “They made sure I had everything from calculators to rulers and they recognised my hard work. Without that support, I don’t know where I’d be right now.”
But CYLP’s influence extended beyond the classroom, as Zavan took part in a range of activities during Term events and annual CYLP camps. From surfing trips to team-building camps and peer-led projects, Zavan was able to forge strong friendships with his peers. Through these hands-on experiences, Salam found the confidence to explore his interests and chart a path forward.
One passion that emerged early on was his fascination with automotive work. From Year 11, he immersed himself in classes that allowed him to dismantle and reassemble engines. After graduating, Zavan is gearing up to start a traineeship with mining company Thiess in Rockhampton. While he will be initially focused on light vehicles, he hopes to eventually expand into working on large-scale mining machinery.
Growing up strong in my culture and seeing others do the same made me prouder of who I am
2024 CYLP Graduate Zavan Salam
“I’ve always enjoyed taking things apart and putting them back together,” he said.
“Working on cars has given me real purpose. Thanks to the skills I developed in school and the doors CYLP opened, I’m ready to pursue a career in the automotive industry.”
Zavan’s journey also highlights the importance of community and cultural identity and how CYLP can help foster feelings of pride in one’s culture. As an older student, he mentored younger Indigenous boarders, guiding them through tough times and offering steady support. He was also active in initiatives that reinforced cultural connections and personal development.
“I tried to be a big brother figure,” Salam said. “When younger kids struggled with schoolwork or homesickness I wanted to be there for them.
Looking to the future, Zavan hopes to return home to Mossman someday, perhaps parking his dream car, a Land Cruiser, in his driveway. He believes his lessons with CYLP have prepared him for a successful career and a meaningful life.
MORE INFORMATION
For more information visit the Cape York Leaders Program website
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