John Lindsay, South Australia

When 61-year-old River Ngarrindjeri man, John Lindsay, started a pre-employment program at Tauondi Aboriginal College, he did not know how to turn on a laptop. Having never finished his schooling or having any previous opportunities to learn how to use computers, John‘s ability to apply for work and live fully was restricted by his lack of digital skills.

Throughout his career, John held various community roles, including grave digging, house repairs, and council jobs. Undertaking the College’s Skill Up program, John found that he loved learning and the culturally safe space in which Tauondi operates. He also found a whole new world had opened through becoming used to operating a computer.

Now studying a Certificate I in Access to Vocational Pathways, John wants to continue learning and developing skills so that he can continue to contribute to the needs of his community. As a respected Aboriginal mentor, John is also supporting others while they study at Tauondi and showing them that you can learn at any age.

A scholarship would enable John to purchase a computer which would greatly assist his capacity to both keep learning and contributing to others.