Meet Malcolm Lynch, former professional Australian rules footballer who played with the Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne Football Club in the AFL between 2007-20012. 

In 2010 Malcolm became the first Indigenous Australian to set foot on Antarctica. He is now Manager, Inclusion and Diversity at the Giants Greater Western Sydney Football Club. Malcolm is also an Old Boy (OR2005) and I believe was the third person to attend Riverview under the indigenous student program. 

I had the privilege of meeting him at an Indigenous Mentor event last month, when he kindly offered to come to the school to speak to the Indigenous students. During the evening, het sat with the boys, shared a feed of Kaleb's curried sausages, and talked about his journey both at Riverview and outside. 

He talked about the highs and lows of professional sport, impressed upon the boys how big an opportunity they have been given by being on the program and encouraged them to step up, grab every opportunity that comes their way and make the most of their time at Riverview. 

Hearing Malcom speak, I was struck by the power of the indigenous program. Here was a man from the Tiwi Islands in the Northern Territory, who had come to Riverview as a young boy and has built / is continuing to build, a career at the highest level in professional sports. Now mentoring young players, not just indigenous but across all cultural minorities, he volunteered to come back and speak to the next cohort of indigenous students. 

The OIU Indigenous Mentor Program involves Old Boys volunteering to play the role of 'big brother' or 'uncle' with the indigenous boys at the school. Specifically, this means being a support system for the boys in partnership with the schools pastoral care program. Attending weekend sports games or other co-curricular events, supporting the boys if they are facing challenges at school, taking them out on a boarding free weekend, teaching them to drive or providing yr13 advice, the mentor plays a role in helping the student navigate their time through Riverview and assist them in transitioning to year 13 and beyond Riverview. 

We currently have 30 indigenous students at the school, but only have 16 active mentors.

 If you are interested in supporting these boys and in learning more about indigenous culture through building relationships and engagement then please contact me at president@oiu.org.au.