CTM and Virgin Australia announce joint sponsorship of Yalari scholarship program for Indigenous children.

In mutual commitment towards investing in the education of Indigenous Australians, Corporate Travel Management (CTM) and Virgin Australia have today announced a joint sponsorship deal with Yalari – a non-for-profit organisation that works with Indigenous children from regional and remote communities.

The CTM and Virgin Australia Yalari Sponsorship will provide financial support for Yalari to achieve its mission to be one of Australia’s great enduring educational and leadership foundations empowering Indigenous people.

The $50,000 investment will make a meaningful difference to Yalari’s cohort of 248 students as they attend some of Australia’s leading boarding schools. The Yalari scholarships also provide students with a robust support network for educational, personal and cultural purposes, with access to dedicated Student Support Officers.

Founding Director of Yalari, Waverley Stanley AM, shared:

“There are so many ways people can support Yalari, in-kind, through business, and by financial generosity. We’re excited about this new partnership with CTM and Virgin, as travel is an imperative and important part of our children’s lives, with some needing to catch three flights just to get to school each term. Their safety and comfort are our priority, so I’m grateful for our new working partnership with CTM, and proud of the joint support of CTM and Virgin.”

CTM’s CEO Australia and New Zealand, Greg McCarthy, shared:

“As an Australian-founded and headquartered organisation, CTM recognises our responsibility to give back to the Indigenous Australian community by investing in their future. With a strong business focus in training and education, supporting a scholarship program to provide greater opportunities for schooling felt like the perfect alignment.”

“Partnering with our valued supplier, Virgin Australia, makes this program even more rewarding.”

Virgin Australia Chief People Officer, Lisa Burquest, said:

“Virgin Australia is committed to supporting equitable opportunities and outcomes for First Nations peoples and is pleased to be partnering with CTM to sponsor this scholarship program as part of our reconciliation efforts together.”

 

About Virgin Australia

Founded in the year 2000 by Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Australia is now one of the largest Australian airlines operating an extensive domestic network as well as short-haul international services, charter and cargo operations, and its loyalty program, Velocity Frequent Flyer. The Group employs more than 7,000 people and has been a competitor in the Australian aviation landscape for 23 years. Virgin Australia boasts more than 11.5 million Velocity members who can use their Points to redeem flights to over 500 destinations around the world through Virgin Australia and the airline’s extensive list of international partner carriers.

 

About Yalari

Since 2005, Yalari has been providing Indigenous children from regional and remote communities across Australia the opportunity to receive a full boarding school scholarship for their entire secondary education. Yalari partners with 19 of Australia’s leading boarding schools and has offered scholarship opportunities to 784 Indigenous children.