Welcome

	Welcome to True Blue Dreaming (TBD) True Blue Dreaming is committed to supporting and strengthening young lives in rural and remote communities. We are a youth and community development mentoring program engaging young people aged 12-18 in rural and remote Australia. Our programs have been successfully delivered in the Wheatbelt and Kimberley regions of Western Australia since 2004.

	Anzac Day 2013 – WYALKATCHEM With Great Pride many Wyalkatchem young people marched in the Anzac Day Parade on Thursday 25th April. They took their instructions under the direction of parade leader Paul de Pierres behind returned veterans, family representatives and community groups. For some it was their first time marching and although very excited they were also very anxious. Many were representing their community in dual and triple roles. School councillors, school cadets and True Blue Dreaming rural mentoring. Jack Hourigan had the honour of carrying the flag and leading the parade. Jack had also raised the flag at the dawn service. Calvin and Clive Davis (Jnr) created the TBD wreath and it was laId at the memorial by Clive Davis (Jnr) and Ally Yeomans. School councillors Brodie Metcalfe and Erin Hourigan laid the school wreath as a respect to fallen soldiers. Participating in the march and attending the ceremony of remembrance was a very proud day for Wylie young people! Thank you to the RSL for including young people in ANZAC DAY 2013.

	Akram Azimi – Young Australian of the Year Congratulations to TBD Mentor Akram Azimi, 2013 Young Australian of the Year. Messages from: TBD Patron Fiona Stanley - The announcement of Akram Azimi as 2013 Young Australian of the Year makes all of us at True Blue Dreaming incredibly proud. His passion for bringing people of all cultural backgrounds together is a powerful message to us as a nation. Through his example he is truly a mentor for all Australians young and old. TBD Founder Dr James Fitzpatrick - Akram Azimi inspires us to live our lives with pride in being Australian, gratitude for the opportunities this country offers, and a sense of duty to reach out to others and lend a supportive hand. I join True Blue Dreaming’s Patron Fiona Stanley, and Chairman Richard Pengelly in congratulating Akram on being named Young Australian of the Year for 2013. TBD Chairman Richard Pengelley - Akram Azimi has been a TBD mentor for the last 5 years and is currently a TBD Ambassador. Akram came to Australia 13 years ago as an Afghan refugee and after a challenging start has excelled in many areas of his life. He plans to graduate from UWA in 2014 with honours degrees in Science, Law and Anthropology – a remarkable achievement. Akram has visited the Looma Indigenous community in the Kimberley on many occasions over the last 5 years to the point that he is an ‘honorary’ Jungardee man and viewed by many as a family member. He has also been a mentor in TBD’s Wyalkatchem program and is a Special Olympics mentor. Akram has recently created his own “I am the other” program where he hopes to bring people together across cultures and nationalities to celebrate each other’s stories. He is committed to expanding his work with TBD and we are delighted that he joins our immediate past Chairman and TBD founder Dr James Fitzpatrick as the Young Australian of the Year.

	Patron Professor Fiona Stanley AC We are delighted to announce that Professor Fiona Stanley AC has generously accepted the role of Patron of True Blue Dreaming. “For young people who live in rural and remote areas of Australia life can be very rewarding but also very challenging. Isolation, lack of role models, limited resources and lack of self confidence can limit them from achieving their goals and dreams. The wonderful young volunteers of True Blue Dreaming make a difference – I am proud to be the Patron.”

	New Chairman Richard Pengelley Richard is the Director of Service Learning and Leadership at Christ Church Grammar School and an Adjunct Lecturer in Sport Science, Exercise and Health at UWA. A two-time Olympian and ordained Anglican minister he also is Chairman of Special Olympics WA. Richard, pictured left mentoring a young girl at a Looma camp, has been actively involved in running TBD programs since 2007. His vision for TBD is to continue to nurture the growth of the programs and relationships that have seen lives changed for the better across WA.

Latest Updates My True Blue Experience – Read the David Lewis story here. Adam Hill’s Ride across Australia – click here Visit our Art Gallery to see recent additions from the Bungleman Arts Centre in Looma - click here For all photos from this year’s camps, programs and activities - click here What are TBD Mentors? - click here Step into the TBD Journey - click here