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'Transformational change': The Indigenous youngsters inspiring next generation

Author: Cameron Mee NRL Reporter
Timestamp: Mon 1 Dec 2025, 08:23 AM

Wests Tigers playmaker Heath Mason has encouraged emerging Indigenous youngsters to pursue their passions as the NRL celebrates the continued success of the School to Work program.

Mason attended Thursday's School to Work Awards dinner where the next generation of Indigenous leaders were acknowledged.

It marked a full circle moment for the emerging talent, who progressed through the program while at high school before stepping into the Tigers first-grade squad.

Having benefited from the opportunities rugby league has provided him, Mason is eager to inspire the next generation of Indigenous youngsters.

"The School to Work and Indigenous Youth Summit were great for me to get out of my comfort zone and meet new people," Mason said. "My first year out of school I went into the NRL so that transition was challenging.

School to Work graduate and Wests Tigers talent Heath Mason attended Thursday's awards ceremony.

"The programs helped me connect with our culture and learn about how I can best set myself up for the future and it really helped with that transition from school.

"I really enjoy these opportunities to learn and if I can come back and say one or two things that someone takes on board and can then teach someone else, that's really special."

All aspects of the School to Work program were celebrated at Thursday's dinner, with students, employees, education providers and employers acknowledged throughout the evening.

The program was established in 2012 to help young Indigenous Australians complete their schooling and transition into employment or higher education.

Through partnerships with the NRL, clubs, schools, universities, businesses and government, participants are provided with work experience, cultural connection, mentoring and leadership opportunities.

Chelsea Clapson was named University Student of the Year at Thursday's School to Work Awards.

At Thursday's dinner, Trinity Dawson was named Student of the Year, with Chelsea Clapson the University Student of the Year.

Sarah Lyons was awarded the Employee of the Year trophy and Axel Wellings was named Young Leader of the Year.

A Wiradjuri man who grew up in Goulburn, Wellings was captain of Mulwaree High School in 2024 and drove a number of initiatives to support Indigenous students at the school.

Since graduating, he has served as an NRL Youth Ambassador, was selected for the NSW Parliament's Young Aboriginal Leaders Program and helped establish the Little Yarns reading program to promote literacy and cultural pride.

While honoured to receive the award, Wellings said he is driven to ensure future generations have more opportunities to pursue their dreams.

"I want to keep trying to inspire others and leave a path behind that can help others with finding their journey," Wellings said. "I want to make it so people are proud of being Indigenous, that it's something you can share and promote instead of hiding it away.

"I was asked what I would give to future School to Work participants and something I like to say is 'don't wait for opportunities, make them yourself'. The opportunity will be there, sometimes it will be handed to you but other times it won't be.

"The main thing to remember is there's something there for you and you've got to find it and make it happen yourself."

Attendees heard from some of the sport's leading Indigenous voices during Thursday's dinner.

The NRL also thanked 2025 School to Work sponsors Westpac, Accor, Gamuda and Kmart for their support in delivering the program throughout the year.

The scheme works with schools, universities and businesses to smooth the transition to adulthood for young Indigenous people.

Those organisations were honoured on Thursday night, with Foxwell State Secondary College First Nations Coordinator Chris Goldsmith named School Representative of the Year.

Kmart was named Employer of the Year and Western Sydney University the Education Provider of the Year.

The university works with a host of schools across Sydney to help prepare students for tertiary education before supporting the youngsters throughout their degrees.

"This is the culmination of the work that not only Western Sydney University puts in, but the NRL School to Work program and the magic that this partnership creates," the university's Manager of Indigenous Engagement Tania Shepherd said.

"When these two powerhouses come together, we can achieve transformational change for the young people of Greater Western Sydney. We've got the added benefit of not just working with one NRL School to Work team but we work with everyone from St George Illawarra to the West Tigers and out to Penrith.

"We get to work with a lot of different project offices and that shows the footprint of the impact we have across Greater Western Sydney."

Mason was one of numerous NRL and NRLW players to attend the dinner, with Grace Kemp, Connor Watson and Quincy Dodd, along with Jillaroos coach Jess Skinner sharing their insights throughout the evening.

Watson works with School to Work participants through his Boots for Brighter Futures initiative, with students invited to paint their cultural stories on boots that players wear throughout Indigenous Round.

While he didn't have access to a similar program growing up, the Rooster is thrilled to see the growing opportunities on offer for Indigenous youths.

"It would have been awesome to have something like this," Watson said. "Rugby league is one of the biggest things for Indigenous communities and for students to be part of a program that's tied to those teams, as a kid you love it.

"The opportunity to be able to meet some of your heroes and then engage with the culture and all the other cool things that come with this program is so inspiring."