Three hundred Transition to High School backpacks are ready for Queensland students following a packing session with volunteers from Dexus and John Holland Group’s Waterfront Brisbane team.
Held in Brisbane on 28 October 2026, the session marked the first round of packing for KARI Foundation’s 2026 Transition to High School backpack program, with our Queensland Community Programs and Partnerships teams involved.
The program supports Aboriginal young people entering Year 7 by providing backpacks and school essentials for the move into secondary education. It aims to ease some of the financial pressure on families while helping students prepare for the equipment required across their high school subjects.
Resources provided through the program include a matching pencil case, stationery, subject books, an art diary, geometry equipment and a scientific calculator. Having these supplies ready gives families practical support as they prepare for the new school year.
The backpacks also feature Aboriginal artwork, giving young people a way to represent their Culture in their everyday school life. This brings a cultural element to an item students can use throughout their school day.
In Brisbane, the volunteers completed the packing in record time. The backpacks are now ready for KARI Foundation’s Queensland Community Programs team to deliver to students across the state.
Emily Eklund, from John Holland Group’s Waterfront Brisbane team, welcomed the opportunity to contribute.
“Thanks so much for enabling Dexus and John Holland the opportunity to contribute to the backpack program – it was great” Emily said.
Thank you to Dexus, John Holland Group and everyone who contributed their time to help prepare these backpacks for young people starting high school.
To explore how your organisation can support KARI Foundation’s work, contact Lauren Pitkin at lauren.pitkin@kari.org.au.
