A huge congratulations to Brody Cochrane for recently being awarded a 2024 QATSIF Deadly Educator award, recognised for his influence as a role model for young First Nations students. As well as his role as Maths Teacher at The BUSY School Salisbury campus, Brody is a qualified pilot and passionate fitness advocate.
The Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation (QATSIF) is an independent not-for-profit organisation that was created to give Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families increased educational choices and life opportunities. QATSIF provides educational scholarships of $500 per semester ($2000 across Years 11 and 12) to support eligible First Nations students with the educational costs of their senior studies.
Ingrid Rucinski, Campus Principal at Salisbury, said, “We’re extremely lucky to have Brody as a teacher here at The BUSY School. Brody demonstrates that students can aspire to diverse pathways while being strong, open to exploring their identity, well-being and belonging in an educational environment”
Speaking of his motivation to become a teacher, Brody answered, “Prior to COVID I was working in the aviation industry for Qantas and I was also living at St Josephs Nudgee College, working as a boarding supervisor because it was close to the airport. As a way to give back to the next generation, I’ve always volunteered at events with children, for example basketball clinics and things like that, where I would discuss my pathway to education. When COVID struck I was released from my job as a pilot with Qantas and it was suggested by a teacher at Nudgee College that I could do a Masters degree in 18 months and be working as a teacher.
“The volunteer work I had done in the past combined with my tutoring at Nudgee, I thought this was a great idea and that’s how I got into teaching.”
Passionate about encouraging the next generation of First Nations through education, Brody believes a supportive network is an essential foundation for young people, stating, “The most important thing for a young person to have is a supportive network, whether that be their family or the friends they are hanging around with at school. That can have a huge influence on their attitudes and behaviour at school.
“When I was in high school I was a bit of a class clown, going nowhere with my education. One of my mates went to boarding school, came home in the holidays and told me all about it. I loved the idea and asked my parents if I could do the same thing. That was kind of the turning point for me in terms of education. I was living at the school so you are thrust into an environment that is one hundred per cent education. It changes your behaviours and habits and so that’s why I believe the network you have is one of the most important influences.”
Rather surprised to have received the award as he didn’t even know he had been nominated, Brody said, “It was a massive surprise to me! I feel like a lot of people really don’t get the recognition or appreciation for the things they accomplish in life. Not that they should expect it and I certainly don’t but when it does happen it’s a reminder that you’re doing well, that the work you are doing makes an impact. It was a good ‘keep it up’ for me, affirming that I am making a positive impact on the next generation.”
The difference education can make to a young person’s future is not underestimated by Brody.
“I’d put the importance of education up there with sports as well for me, as a massively important factor in developing the appropriate skills and attributes needed to cope and succeed in life. If you pursue an education it opens up doors, it allows you to look at things that you might previously believe are impossible to achieve. It may take you to places around the world that you never thought you would go, meeting people that can help you on your journey, earning potentials that you may never have imagined. There is a wealth of opportunities and advantages. I think enjoying the process along the way is also really important!”
Learn more about The BUSY School.
Learn more about QATSIF.
Ingrid Rucinski, Campus Principal at The BUSY School’s Salisbury campus with
Brody Cochrane who received a 2024 QATSIF Deadly Educator Award.