Nestled on the third level of the Richmond Football Club’s Swinburne Centre at Punt Road Oval, is a fully functioning classroom.

The classroom is not for draftees to learn their new game plan or systems; those are downstairs. This class belongs to the Melbourne Indigenous Transition School (MITS).

Founded in 2016, MITS exists to create pathways to greater opportunity for Indigenous students from remote and regional communities, so that they may lead lives full of choice and opportunity.

In year 7, their ‘transition’ year, the students attend school at Punt Road while boarding nearby in Richmond.

It is here that the students learn the skills, both socially and through education, to succeed in future schooling in Melbourne, with MITS providing the pathway for entry into various different Melbourne Secondary Schools.

Adam, originally from Palumpa in the Daly River region of the Northern Territory, moved to Melbourne to study with MITS in 2019 and graduated from St Kevin’s College this year.

“It has been a hell of a journey,” he said.

“I just can’t describe that I am in Year 12. I am just so proud of myself.”

Adam believes he is just the third person from Palumpa to finish school and hopes that many more will follow his example in the years to come.

“I would love some of the kids to come down here to get their education and opportunity and to make their family proud,” he said.

“Like I am doing right now.”

Adam plans to start a plumbing apprenticeship next year, adding that he wants to continue his community leadership in future years.

“I feel like I became a man now,” he said.

“I used to just run amok and make everyone laugh, and now (I have a) focus and am looking towards the future.”

A classmate of Adam’s in 2019 was Ruby, who recently completed her VCE.

“First joining MITS was a long journey. I had never been on a plane (it was my) first time in Melbourne,” she explained.

“I thought it was going to be big, but I did not realise it was going to be this big.”

Ruby has applied to study for a double degree in nursing and midwifery and hopes to return home to Katherine in the Northern Territory once she has finished.

“I want to go back home and work in Katherine or even some of the more remote communities,” she explained.

“There is a demand for more healthcare workers, midwives, and nurses in the more remote communities of the Northern Territory. So, I really want to go back and give back.”

Going forward, Ruby hopes her family can study in Melbourne and participate in programs like MITS.

“I have grown in a lot of ways,” she said.

“I hope back home we continue to get the recognition we are trying to get from the government and our community, for my mob and for my people.

“(I want them) to get the opportunity as well to do better things and to do what they are capable of.

“For my community, I hope we grow and grow strong.

“The ultimate goal is for more people to go to university, get those careers, and then give back to the community.”

Richmond congratulates the graduating MITS cohort. 

Having MITS as part of Richmond enhances the Club's operations, and everyone is very proud that the students can call Punt Road home. 

Adam and Ruby are two of many great success stories coming out of MITS, and the Club is thrilled that there will be many more like them in the future.