Within her work in the Owen Springs Education Unit, Patricia Skinner, commonly known as ‘Aunty Pat’ or ‘Nana Pat’ is paving the way with over 20 years of dedication, support, and advocacy for young people from difficult backgrounds. Pat’s commitment to youth diversion, education, and care for the aged and people with disability has defined her career. Today, she puts her energy into her venture, ‘Young Peoples Catering.', a partnership between her, the Alice Springs Youth Detention Centre (NT Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities), NT Department of Education and Training, and Red Dust.

‍

Pat has worked in a range of settings in Central Australia including aged care and disability, but a highlight has been as an Aboriginal and Islander education support worker in a range of school settings, with young people from remote and urban communities. Over the years, Pat has been blessed with lifelong family and kinship relationships resulting in a natural connection with students, their families and the broader community. She is seen as a respected Elder by those who she cares for, particularly within Red Dust.

‍

Since 2018 Red Dust has been supporting Pat to realise her dream of Young Peoples Catering. This program delivers culinary education, incorporating meal planning, food safety, catering, and nutrition with young people in detention. Pat is passionate about using native Australian ingredients in her programs, ranging from desert lime in savory dishes to finger lime in desserts. Ingredients like rosella, wattle seed, Kakadu plum, strawberry gum, and quandong peach are incorporated into the meals, introducing young people to bush foods and providing them the opportunity to gain an understanding on how to use these ingredients in different ways. Through her program, young people can also achieve certificates in food safety and hospitality.

‍

Thanks to The Australian Superfood Co, Pat offers a range of native ingredients for the youth to learn about. The program’s success lies in its student-led approach, empowering participants to apply culture and traditional wisdom to math and English in practical, real-world contexts.

‍

When asked about her inspiration, Pat's answer is simple, "The young people I work alongside (are the reason)...to give them skills and a pathway out of the cycle”.

‍

Pat adds that the positive work she has achieved with Young People’s Catering would not have been made possible without the support and guidance from several role models and mentors. Pat said, ‘I would like to thank, Lachlan Berryman and Trevor Read (NT Department of Education and Training) for their guidance on education and teaching, Jonathan Hermawan for being a cultural advisor when in doubt and Pastor Ray Minniecon (Red Dust) for his mentorship and calming influence, and Rob Steer (NT Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities) for believing in what we want to achieve with Young People’s Catering’.

‍

For Executive Director Youth Justice Operations, Robert Steer, it’s been incredibly rewarding seeing young people engage with Aunty Pat’s program – it’s a great way for young people in detention to reconnect to culture in a practical and meaningful way.

‍

Looking ahead, Pat envisions her program as a pathway for young people, guiding them to pursue further education in hospitality or to empower them to seek out new job opportunities.

‍

Pat’s program is an example of an effective and meaningful community and Aboriginal-led solution aimed to improve the health and well-being of Indigenous youth in remote areas of Australia. Her leadership, love and passion for the students and her high expectations of their potential as future leaders is why Red Dust works with her.

‍

We are not alone in recognising the immense value of Pat's contribution. Earlier this year, Qantas employed her catering business during their NAIDOC Week celebrations.

‍

Pat is a true role model, providing hope and resilience whilst enriching lives and empowering communities.

Give a tax deductible donation to support programming.