All worth it for NRL Cowboys House graduates who left home to pursue an education and set themselves up for success. Photo: Supplied.
A leap of faith has paid off for young Cape York and Torres Strait students now ready to take on their futures after completing high school away from home and family.
Graduates of NRL Cowboys House in Townsville were celebrated on 17 November for their achievements while boarding at the award-winning facility.
For the first time since the girls’ campus was established in 2019, this year’s celebration saw an equal number of male and female graduates.
Napranum’s Tahliyah Jawai and Thursday Island’s Kentaro Sabatino received the most prestigious awards of the evening, named Senior Girls’ and Senior Boys’ Boarder of the Year.
Tahliyah said she was excited to step into her future, hopefully as a boilermaker and traveller.
“Stepping out of my comfort zone and moving away from my family was a big step for me. If I didn’t come to the [NRL Cowboys] house, I don’t think I would have had opportunities and goals like this,” she said.
“The feeling of graduating is very surreal; I’m very nervous now, but I’m also really excited to see what’s out there for me.
“It’s great for us to provide a strong example for the younger ones coming through. So they can see they can do it, grab every opportunity with both hands, and home will always be there.”
For Kentaro, the house grew into a home away from home and fellow graduates became a second family who helped him grow while away from the Torres Strait.
“The first time I came here, I was pretty quiet and in my own bubble. But the house helped me gain confidence,” he said.
“They pushed me when things got hard and helped me become who I am today.”
The latest cohort of 18 brings the total number of NRL Cowboys House graduates to 101 since the facility opened in 2017, marking a significant milestone in removing distance as a barrier to education for students from remote communities.
Earlier this year, the Cowboys Community Foundation opened a self-funded graduate campus to provide a semi-supported, affordable accommodation option for alumni to continue their journeys and transition into tertiary education, training and employment.
“These young people had to leave their families and communities to receive equitable education opportunities hundreds of kilometres away in Townsville,” NRL Cowboys House general manager Rochelle Jones said.
“It’s been our responsibility and great privilege to see them grow into confident, kind and capable adults.
“Now, with our graduate campus up and running, we can ensure they have a safe, supportive environment as they take on new challenges beyond school.”
For more information on Cowboys Community Foundation programs visit cowboysfoundation.org.au
Families and friends pack in to support the NRL Cowboys House graduates. Photo: Supplied.
2025 NRL Cowboys House graduates
Pictured top – (front) Kalina Zaro, Mer Island (Murray); Kudjarli-J Marie Nuggins, Palm Island; Louish Mari, Warraber Island; Tahliyah Jawai, Napranum; Narzaliah Doolah, Old Mapoon; Kentaro Sabatino, Thursday Island;
(Back) Aydah-Maree Ross-Kelly, Hope Vale; Carleesha Tayley, Wujal Wujal; Jaqlyn Kepa, Yam Island; Aleeah Michael, Cooktown; Sincere Sibley, Palm Island; Mungu Toby, Mornington Island; Hezekiah Nona, Thursday Island; Lhere Forester, Coen; Ty Gibson, Hope Vale; Jonathan Dau, Saibai Island; Tshak Daniels-Misi, Thursday Island; Peter Bob, Warraber Island.
Kentaro Sabatino and Tahliyah Jawai are ready to chase their dreams as confident young people after graduation. Photo: Supplied.
