2017 Autumn/Winter Newsletter

2017 Cadets at the Cadetship Induction & Graduation Event at Allens Linklaters

Our annual Cadetship Induction & Graduation event was held at Allens Linklaters. It was a true celebration of achieving greatness, with Doxa staff, program participants and their friends and families in attendance, as well
as sponsor companies and mentors. Graduating Cadet, Ewe-Jin Tan was guest speaker and did an excellent job at inspiring the new cohort. Many thanks to all who attended.

We are also delighted to welcome 21 newly inducted Cadets this year. A tremendous thank you to returning
Program Partners Allens Linklaters, Bombardier, Doxa Social Club, Honan Insurance, JBWere, KPMG and V/
Line. We also extend a warm welcome to new Program Partners including: Country Racing Victoria, EM Advisory, Melbourne Racing Club, Racing Victoria, Royal Flying Doctors Service and Vibrato.

Journey Program participants celebrating at the summit of Mount Kooyoora

We recently collaborated with New Hope Foundation, Western Bulldogs Community Foundation, Spectrum and Western Young People’s Independent Network to deliver a Journey Program for disadvantaged secondary school students from Melbourne’s West.

Participants came from a diverse range of backgrounds and native languages. It was fantastic to share knowledge, skills and experiences with the group. The Journey Program provides an opportunity in the wilderness, away from the urban and technological environment. In doing so, outcomes are: increased self-efficacy, developing relationships with peers and staff, enhanced independence and empowerment through education. Many describe climbing Mt Kooyoora a particular highlight that enables them to realise they can overcome other challenges in their lives.

“By coming here on this journey is an awesome moment which I will never forget. I could say this is my best hiking ever! I learnt to take responsibility and felt more confident while interacting with other people.” – Tenzin (Journey Program Participant)

Students visiting the Victorian Government Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources

A group of University Pathways Program students in Years 9–12 visited the Victorian Government’s
Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR) to learn about the diversity
of careers available within government.

Participating schools included: Kurunjang Secondary College, Lyndale Secondary College, Sale College, Susan Cory High School and Fountain Gate Secondary College.

Nicole Tritter, teacher at Foundation Gate Secondary School said:

“The program allows participating students to begin to explore the world of work. The workshop also allows students to gain confidence in their personal and communication skills to help them realise their potential and achieve personal greatness.”

Since our beginning in 1972 to today, Doxa has provided young people experiencing disadvantage with the opportunity to achieve. This vision continues today as does our focus on delivering high-quality programs with measurable outcomes.

With the support of the Doxa board, we partnered with the University of Melbourne, Centre for Program Evaluation, Graduate School of Education to develop an organisation-wide measurement framework. We then developed five outcome themes common to all programs: opportunity; self-efficacy; relationships; independence; and education.

At a delivery level, we now ask program participants questions that are both related to the specific objectives of each program and aligned to Doxa’s outcome themes. This rigorous method is undertaken both before and after young people participate. These important findings ensure we are delivering high quality programs that contribute to the future prosperity of disadvantaged young people.