This is Lindsey Billy
Lindsey Billy is a 17-year-old Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young woman from Umagico community, in the Northern Peninsula Area. Lindsey has two older twin sisters and a younger brother. Lindsey loves playing rugby, spending time with her friends and family, fishing/squidding and upon leaving school, would like to become a mining officer.Due to personal commitments, Lindsey was not able to attend school for one year. In January 2019, Lindsey engaged with the youth support team at NPA Family and Community Services and was supported in the following way: Assistance with Centrelink payments Transport to health appointments Completing a resume and handing into local businesses Completing tax return online Assistance with attending housing office and completing paperwork for rent deductions Personal supportIn March 2019, with the support of her parents and family, Lindsey reenrolled in NPA College full time. Lindsey was able to return to school, and despite having difficulties, attended each day and gave her best. Lindsey was really interested in experiencing schooling down south and attending boarding school. Lindsey was assisted by NPA Family and Community Services in the following way: Applying to Abstudy Attending the GP to have immunisations done and record provided Obtaining school records from NPA College Requesting a support letter from the deputy principal Apply for the WCCCA education bursary Apply to Cowboys and AFL house Support letter provided by social worker Writing a letter to the Smithfield Highschool principal outlining why she wants to attend the school and what her goals are for the future Support preparing for boarding house and school interviewIn January 2020, Lindsey was accepted to the AFL Cape York House for Girls and moved down in February with the support of her family. At first, Lindsey found it very difficult being away from her community and family, and wanted to go back home. Despite this, Lindsey has shown strength and determination by not giving up and taking every opportunity to get involved with everything the AFL House has to offer. Transition support teacher from AFL Cape York Girls House, Michelle Nolan, has reported Lindsey has settled in well to boarding life and has joined two sporting teams (AFL and touch) and participating in two training sessions per week, participating in learner driver activities, attending homework and tutoring sessions three times a week, attending mentoring, cultural dance practice, and is making friendships with Auntie’s and other girls from communities all over the Cape. In addition to this, Lindsey earned an A on her engineering assessment! NPA Family and Community Services are proud of how far Lindsey has come – she is an inspiration to young people that despite difficulties and barriers, your goals and dreams can still be achieved through persistence and hard work. Sometimes it is difficult to get there on our own and to realise our full potential, although there are people who can help to make it that little bit easier along the way.