For Myka Richards-Matters, figuring out what she wanted to do in life wasn’t easy.
“In year 11, I was trying to decide what to do with my life, my career. I thought about teaching, so I did a Certificate 3 in education support,” she told NITV News.
Enrolled at Perth’s Rossmoyne Senior High School, Myka realised that teaching wasn’t for her. So, in year 12 she tried something different.
“My aunty and uncle are both police officers. So I spoke to my family and decided to study a certificate in community services,” she said.
“(During year 12) I was able to do work experience, 3 months at Cannington police station. That was really fun. I got to go in cars for some jobs with the officers. That made me realise that I want to do this for my career."
Graduating high school in 2021, Myka is now a cadet with WA Police and this week was awarded the Rob Riley Memorial prize.
Given to high achieving Aboriginal students enrolled in public schools in Western Australia, the Rob Riley Memorial prize is named in honour of the Western Australian activist, who championed Black rights for decades until his death in 1996.
“The award is really important because Rob dedicated his life to improving educational outcomes for Indigenous West Australians. To name this in his honour, gives it the importance that it needs,” said WA education Minister Sue Ellery.
The award sees one prize each given to a student enrolled in Vocational Education and Training (VET) and Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) courses.
Caleb Langan won the ATAR award after graduating from Comet Bay College.
He attended the award ceremony in Perth this week remotely from Melbourne, where he is now at university studying a bachelor of science in mathematical physics.
“Ideally, I would be interested in a career in research at either a university or the CSIRO. I think would be really fulfilling,” he said.
“I just like solving problems, working hard at a problem and trying to get to the end result."
For this years’ winners, the message to other Aboriginal students is simple – enjoy what you do and don’t be afraid to ask for support.
“Have fun with it. Don’t stress over things you can’t control. And always try and get friends and family to support you, they can help a lot,” Ms Richards-Matters said.
The winners each receive five thousand dollars to spend on further education and training.
