IDEAcademy

Learn why one of our amazing learners is taking on a huge challenge for Endometriosis Australia.

Hello! My name is Myka Smith-Hartley. I'm fundraising as someone that spent so many years thinking I would always feel sick, never 'well enough' to actually live. My fundraiser is for HER.

For Endo Australia I will be climbing Bluff Knoll in August. I picked Bluff Knoll as it is a 6.7km hike, and the average diagnoses for women with Endo is 6.5 years. I thought it would be fitting to challenge myself to a hike, a hike a couple years ago I didn't think I would be able to do. So many young girls are still feeling hopeless, feeling as though it is normal to be sick.

My goal is to raise over $500 for Endo Australia and create a community that allows women to talk about their issues with a community that actually listens.

https://endoaustraliafundraiser.org.au/myka-smith-hartley/posts/women4her

Good luck Myka!

Remember Mesh and his robot? 🤖

After hearing Mesh speak about using your platform to help others, two of our learners, Sierra and Noah, didn't just leave inspired. They took action.

They volunteered their own time to attend the first planning session for a community robotics project aimed at supporting people experiencing homelessness in Perth.

Working alongside engineers, IT professionals, university students and industry experts from around the world, they began building not only technical skills, but relationships that could shape their future.

Reflecting on the experience, they shared:

"We forged connections with people who have been in their industry for decades, have degrees in engineering and related fields. These people come from a variety of different backgrounds, from high level IT companies in Japan to students completing their degrees in Australia. All these volunteers have come together to support our community in building a robot to help address the homelessness crisis within our city."

At IDEA, we encourage young people to say yes to opportunities, make meaningful connections and get involved in work that matters. Those experiences build confidence, broaden perspectives and teach lessons that can't be learnt from a textbook.

We're incredibly proud of Sierra and Noah for making the most of an opportunity and showing what it means to be not just future ready, but community minded.

Our first August Information Session is just one week away.

If you've been considering alternative pathways for your teenager, now is the perfect time to explore what IDEAcademy could offer your family.
Meet our team, hear directly from our Directors and learn how young people at IDEA build confidence, real world skills and meaningful pathways beyond school.

📅 3 August | Online | 6.30pm

📅 11 August | Perth CBD | 6.30pm

📅 13 August | Fremantle | 6.30pm

Places are limited: https://ideacademy.com.au/book-an-information-session-parents/

From Carpark to Community

Learners stepped outside their hub and into one of Perth's best examples of community-led change, Perth City Farm.

Once an unused inner-city carpark, City Farm has grown into a vibrant urban space focused on sustainability, education, food production and connection.

After spending the morning designing their own advocacy and community campaigns, learners explored City Farm through the lens of changemakers, asking:

💭 What problem was this place trying to solve?

🤝 How did ordinary people make it happen?

🌏 What impact has it had on the community?

💡 What could Grad 2026 create that leaves a lasting legacy?

It was a powerful reminder that meaningful change doesn't always begin with huge budgets or grand plans. Often it starts with a small group of people who care enough to ask one simple question:

"What could this become?"

We can't wait to see which of today's ideas become tomorrow's community initiatives.

Every career has a story.

Our learners recently welcomed Luke Eastman, also known as NRG from Perth band Alter Boy, to share his unique career journey.

As a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), Luke combines music and Auslan as Alter Boy's performance signer, helping make live music more accessible for Deaf audiences. In 2025, he was nominated for Vocalist of the Year at the West Australian Music Awards for his inclusive performances.

Our learners asked thoughtful, open-ended questions, practised their workplace communication skills and gained valuable insight into how embracing your unique strengths can create opportunities.

Thank you, Luke, for sharing your story with our learners.

Only one week to go!

The countdown is on to the Perth SkillsWest Careers & Employment Expo, and we'll be there all three days.

If you're exploring senior secondary options, thinking about your future, or looking for a different approach to learning, come and meet the IDEAcademy team at Stand 50. We'd love to answer your questions and show you what's possible.

📅 23 to 25 July
📍 Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre
📍 Stand 50

🎟️ Entry is free. Register via the Careers and Employment Expo website.

See you next week!