Daring To Be Different

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), 15.2% of students do not complete high school. This figure increases to 37.6% for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Founded by Victoria University, the Mitchell Institute reports 26% of young Australians fail to attain Year 12 or equivalency by the age of 19, rising to 40% for those residing in remote areas. Furthermore, it is well documented that bereavement significantly increases school drop out rates. The drive and determination Taj Mamid (19) has demonstrated to overcome personal hardship, geographic and demographic barriers, and more, to beat those statistics is truly impressive.

“Mum and dad … they always wanted me to go to school, to keep going and not quit. I have that trait. I want to keep going with things, to follow through,” Mamid said.

Despite the relatively recent loss of his beloved mother, Mamid has relocated to Perth to undertake the Aboriginal Orientation Course at the prestigious University of Western Australia (UWA). Finishing his mid-year exams only days ago, he plans to commence undergraduate studies in teaching next year.

“I reckon I did well … I studied pretty hard for them,” said Mamid. “I want to do it for her (his mother). I’d really like to become a teacher, a history teacher or maths teacher … it’s something I’ve wanted to do since high school … to go to uni and become a teacher for her and my younger brothers as well,” he shared.

The second eldest of six brothers, Mamid strives to be a good role model for his siblings.

“I’ve had to mature a lot. I guess I was pretty dumb during high school. I got pretty good grades but didn’t like going to classes much. I’ve had to become a lot more mature for university and for my brothers,” he added.

Port Hedland, Mamid’s original hometown, is the largest iron ore export port in the world. As a mining epicentre, employment in the mining and resource sector is the common career path for its young residents.

“Everyone in Hedland all seem to go into mining but I didn’t want to do that. It’s something that everyone does. I just wanted to be different. There aren’t a lot of people that really go to uni from Hedland. After school a lot of my mates got mining jobs. I think I was probably the only one in my year to come to uni,” Mamid divulged.

Quite an accomplishment, considering the ABS reports only 4.8% of people in Port Hedland attend a tertiary institution. One that Mamid acknowledges the Kicking Goals program assisted him to achieve.

Run by V Swans, the community and education division of the Swan Districts Football Club, with Major Partners BHP and supported by the West coast Eagles, Kicking Goals is a specialist sport education program that integrates AFL football, vocational learning and the WA curriculum.

Participants complete Certificate II in Sport & Recreation, Certificate II in Sports Coaching and a practical coaching component concurrently with the Year 11 and 12 high school syllabus, which enables them to graduate with nationally recognised industry qualifications and real world coaching experience. Students who successfully complete Kicking Goals open more pathways to higher learning and are better equipped for future employment.

“I think the Cert II helped with my university entrance. [Kicking Goals also] helped me to stay committed. I probably wouldn’t have gone to school as much,” Mamid admitted.  “I gained knowledge and leadership skills when I became vice captain of the Hedland Reds. I’d say leadership was probably one of the main things.”

Mamid disclosed that living away from his family in Geraldton, has caused him to struggle with homesickness but is fortunate to have supportive lecturers and course coordinators. He includes Shane Beros, V Swans High Performance / Justice Manager, as source of support and positive encouragement. “I speak to Beros maybe every two weeks or so. He might ask me to come to a game or to see him,” said Mamid.

“We strive to be a leader to young people, particularly Aboriginal youth, and help them fulfill their education potential and become empowered in their life journey,” Beros stated in relation to the V Swans programs.

The difference V Swans makes in remote communities enable youths like Taj Mamid dare to be different in their life choices. For them, Mamid leaves these words of encouragement:

“Follow your dreams. Do what you want to do instead of conforming to everyone else and to what everyone else is doing”.

Photo- Taj Mamid receiving Best Team Player Award for the Hedland Reds 2013. Hedland Reds Inaugural season in the WPJFL.
Av Swami (Left), Taj Mamid (middle), Shane Beros (Right)