Beyond TLG: Zente and Demi

TLG volunteers at Coolgardie Primary School

This month, we’re bringing you the first instalment of our new segment: Beyond TLG. You may well be familiar with our Where Are They Now? Stories of TLG Alumni segment, where we catch up with past TLG volunteers. In this new segment, we’re going to be doing something similar, but following up on students.

It’s been twelve years since the first TLG Rural Program, which means that we’re starting to see some of the exciting long term impacts of the program. Many of the school principals of partner schools are excited for the kids to meet young people at university – it’s something that a lot of regional and remote students don’t get to see often, and it can help to open their eyes to their own possibilities.

We were so excited when we were approached by some students at Murdoch Open Day, who told us that they had been TLG students at school, and now were at uni. When we ran into them, it sent us on a mission to try and find some past TLG students, to figure out what they’re up to now, and how they reflect on their TLG experiences as adults.

Demi went to Morowa District High School from 2007-2015. She had a TLG tutor at two different occasions during this time. Now, she’s at Murdoch University, in her final year of a Bachelor of Science where she has majored in Marine Biology and Environmental Science and Management.

“It was always my dream to be able to go to University and study something I loved so much,” Demi said. She has had a passion for the ocean and the environment her whole life. “Therefore getting to meet actual students already going to Uni was so inspiring.”

Zente was a TLG student whilst at Coolgardie Primary School. He remembers TLG visiting numerous times, and even still has three of his old certificates from Rural Programs. Zente is about to start studying nursing, a passion that he links with his desire to help people.

“TLG week was something I got very excited for when I heard that it was coming up,” Zente recalled. “I was a very shy kid and didn’t really like meeting new people, but the TLG community was a group of people who I was excited to meet as it was always fun.”

Zente’s TLG certificate from 2013

Demi also recalls the excitement of being a student during the Rural Program.

“The buzz that surrounded the school during TLG week is something I will never forget,” she described, “kids wanting to be at school and excited to learn new things. The excitement was infectious and the fun the TLG team brought made such a big impact on the community.”

Both Demi and Zente said their experiences as TLG students made them interested in being TLG volunteers. “I love being able to go out and give back and hopefully inspire kids the way my TLG tutors inspired me,” Demi said.

Zente described TLG week as one of his biggest highlights of attending Coolgardie Primary School. “If I didn’t have the experience I did, meeting the people I met like Ashleigh, Chris and Queenie back in 2013, I wouldn't have learnt all the little tips and tricks with learning and be the person I am today.”

Another of Zente’s TLG certificates

Demi praised one of her TLG tutors for helping her have more self-confidence. “One of my tutors picked up that I loved problem solving and they tailored everything we did towards that in some way,” she recalled. “It really cemented the belief in myself that I could problem solve my way through life if I had enough resilience and tenacity.”

We are so proud of Demi and Zente, and all the people out there just like them – TLG kids that grew into adults doing their own amazing things. It’s heart-warming to know that Rural Programs can be fond memories for TLG students well into adulthood. And, as always, we’re incredibly proud of our amazing volunteers that make things like this possible!

In the words of Demi: “The TLG teams that go into the rural and remote of WA create a much larger impact on the students and community than they realise!”

If you have a similar story, please don’t hesitate to contact us! We’d love to hear from you.

This post was written by Lauren Griffiths.