Graduation is a milestone in every young person’s life; It’s time to celebrate and for parents and grandparents to show their pride in their children and grandchildren.

It was a big and important milestone for Sacha Mulongenhawaii Yambuulul to graduate from Warawa College in 2015. Founded in 1983 and based in Hillsville, northeast Melbourne, the college focuses on educating Indigenous Australian youth.

Students usually come from low-income families, and Sasha, for example, grew up in a remote Aboriginal clan on Elko Island off the north coast of Australia.

Needless to say, Sasha’s transition to college and the new facility was a big deal. On the other hand, her students were very friendly and Sasha worked hard to achieve her goals. When it came time to graduate, she achieved excellent grades thanks to her hard work and perseverance. She informed her relatives on Echo Island and they were delighted.

Who is the happiest? Gali Yalkariwi Guruoy, Sasha’s grandfather.

An elder of the original Galpu clan, he rarely leaves his home, but when he hears that his granddaughter is graduating from university in Melbourne, he knows he has to go.

Gali Yalkariwi Guruyi can’t tell you his age or speak English but he likes to dance.

He drove more than 2,000 miles to Warawa Aboriginal College, where his granddaughter Sacha Mulongunhuai Yambulol was on board to celebrate her achievement with the Longorma, a traditional dance.

Sasha and another great-granddaughter of Gallie have been studying at the Institute in Hellesville, northeast of Melbourne, for over two years.

Gali traveled a long distance to perform a traditional dance at Sasha’s Year 10 graduation.

 

“I am happy of my granddaughters Sasha and Alica,” Gali said through his wife, who translated for him. “I am proud that this college has taken care of them and that they have received an excellent education.”

 

“They need to know who they are and where they come from,” he continued, “and now Sasha walks proudly in both worlds.”

 

Sasha and Alica reside with their family on Elcho Island while they are not in college, and the two girls have never been away from home before.

 

“I enjoy foraging for oysters, fishing for mango worms, and dancing traditional bunggul, which is what I miss, as well as sharing stories around the campfire,” Sasha said.

 

Sasha now intends to continue her nursing studies at a different college in Western Australia.

 

What a lovely celebration with her grandfather, and what a special link they share.

 

Sasha is certainly a driven young woman who values and respects her heritage; we wish her continued success.

 

Please do so.

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