With the tennis world’s eyes on Melbourne, The Australian Open tournament has provided an exciting work opportunity for young people in 2025, giving them valuable experience and helping them develop important leadership skills.
In collaboration with Anglicare Victoria’s Buldau Yioohgen Leadership Academy, Tennis Victoria and Tennis Australia has supported 11 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people to secure positions at the Australian Open this year in retail and customer experience roles.
Buldau Yioohgen, meaning “Big Dreams” in the Woiwurrung language of the Wurundjeri people, is a leadership academy that empowers young First Peoples through cultural connection, mentoring, and pathways to education and employment. Each young person developed and refined their CV to successfully apply to Tennis Australia, and attend the assessment day and training. Their achievements embody the philosophy of the Buldau Yioohgen program, which is structured in a way that encourages young First Peoples to be work-ready and walk in both worlds.
Kellie Hunter (Wurundjeri Woiwurrung), Senior Cultural Operations Lead for AV, said the fantastic achievement of these young people in securing employment at a global sporting event like the AO are a great example of what Buldau Yioohgen is all about.
“To have that on your resume is important in breaking down those barriers for young people after the COVID-19 pandemic. We were privileged to be able to support this great group of Aboriginal young people all the way, giving them a home base for two weeks of work experience at our cultural centre Darrango yan-dhan,” she said.
Kolysha (Yorta Yorta, Gunaikurnai, Dja Dja Wurrung) graduated from the Buldau Yioohgen Leadership Academy in 2024. She shadowed the Tennis Victoria team throughout the tournament, working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people who are visiting the event through the Deadly Choices program. Reflecting on the application process to work at the AO, Kolysha said: “It was a little bit challenging because I was nervous, but at the same time I was proud of myself for doing it”. She said her favourite part was “seeing the little ones getting excited” and “helping people around the place”.
Tennis Victoria and Tennis Australia are valuable partners of Buldau Yioohgen, supporting those in the leadership academy and running inspirational events like the Culture on Court, which draws families and young people from all over Victoria.
Looking towards the future of the collaboration, Les Corlett (Wiradjuri and Gunditjmara), AV’s Cultural Engagement Lead, says, “In five years, we could probably have 20 to 30 young people working here. That’s what I can see for our future leaders.”
The collaboration between Tennis Victoria, Tennis Australia, Buldau Yioohgen, and Anglicare Victoria continues to create opportunities and pathways for young First Peoples. By combining culturally led activities with professional development, the partnership is helping build resilient, empowered leaders of tomorrow.
To learn more about this initiative and other activities run by the Buldau Yioohgen program, sign up for the Buldau Yioohgen newsletter.