Adam Goodes and Michael O’Loughlin have 675 games in the Red and White between them, but since leaving footy their achievements have been all about others – specifically Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people.
2024 marks a year-long celebration of 15 years of The Goodes O’Loughlin Foundation (GO).
The milestone reflects a growing maturity and the ability to stand the test of time for the organisation that the Swans are very proud to support as match day Partners for the Marn Grook game and support by housing the GO team in Sydney Swans HQ.
The GO Foundation has awarded over 1600 education scholarships so far to Indigenous kids and through the support of GO, each student has the opportunity to engage more in their culture.
“It's around what’s possible in the world today – if you can see it you can be it. We’re showing kids and young people what’s possible.” says GO cofounder Michael O’Loughlin.
For students from primary school to university, GO scholarships create opportunities for Indigenous young people through a holistic program focused on culture and education to help each student reach their full potential. GO proudly awards the majority of its scholarships to girls and young women and to students in public schools.
As an Aboriginal led and governed organisation, GO illustrates that with the right model and approach, greater educational outcomes for young Indigenous people can be achieved.
GO students have better school attendance records and increasing Year 12 attainment levels when compared to the national average. GO provides practical assistance post school by offering university scholarships or by actively helping students to gain employment.
Swans legend and GO cofounder Adam Goodes notes that “a big part of our scholarship program is how we support students when they go to school but also putting positive role models around them. We have Ambassadors as part of the program that they can look up to (Blak Douglas, Brooke Boney, Anita Heiss and Dan Sultan), there’s Michael and I but more importantly our Indigenous Board Members, an Indigenous CEO and Indigenous Chair. Then we have relationships with corporate Australia. They give us opportunities to utilise their people and they open doors,” Adam explained.
GO students are out there achieving great things already. Lua Pellegrini who was on a GO scholarship through high school designed the 2022 – 2023 Swans Marn Grook guernsey. There’s a GO alumnus working at Google, another studying medicine and more than 55% of students would like to attend university.
GO has a lot more work to do because they know there are many more kids who would thrive with the opportunities of a GO scholarship.
Help fund an Indigenous Scholarship. Please donate now or DonatetoGO.org.au
