Kyle’s an indigenous ambassador

By Kath Gannaway
OLYMPIC hurdler Kyle Vander-Kuyp has made no secret of the fact that his mum, Yarra Junction resident Pat Pembroke, has been his greatest fan and a great source of inspiration and support throughout his career.
‘Go, matey’ was the catch-cry which rang in his ears as he shot off the blocks over a 25-year career which saw Mrs Pembroke’s adopted son compete successfully at the elite level of the sport and win accolades as Australia’s fastest sprint hurdler.
It was no surprise that in another immensely proud moment, Mrs Pembroke was by her son’s side when he was was announced as an Indigenous Ambassador with the Department of Human Services’ Indigenous Ambassadors Program on 30 May.
Minister for Human Services Joe Hockey made the announcement at the signing of the Human Services Agencies’ ‘Statement of Commitment to Reconciliation’ in Canberra.
“Kyle will play a very important role in working with Indigenous communities to improve their understanding and access to Australian Government health and social services such as Centrelink and Medicare,” Mr Hockey said.
Mr Vander-Kuyp said he was thrilled with the ambassadorship, which was the type of role he said he had always dreamed of doing after retiring from sport.
“This feels to me like the Government making a commitment to improving services and, if people are not accessing services, identifying why and looking at how to improve that,” he said.
“I think the ambassadorial role can be a point of contact. We won’t go in with the answers, but have good ears and good compassion to listen and understand.”
Mr Vander-Kuyp said he felt especially proud that the role recognised qualities other than his athletic achievements. “That really makes me proud that it is not just Vander-Kuyp the athlete, that they (Government) have seen me speak and said ‘that’s the sort of compassion we are looking for’.
“I am not going to understand everything about every community, but I do have compassion. If through these roles (Rugby League legend Arthur Beetson is the department’s other Indigenous ambassador) we can help parents with services, then that is going to help kids. It has a trickling effect.”
Mr Vander-Kuyp said he had grasped the opportunity, on his 35th birthday and before a large crowd of people, to thank his mother who he said was ‘super proud’.
“I thanked mum for the job she has done and got a bit emotional in my speech,” he said.
“I said it was one of the best examples of reconciliation. Mum made a commitment. She said I’m going to adopt two Aboriginal kids (Kyle has a younger sister, Tricia).
“Mum and dad didn’t have a lot; I think compassion, care and support are the biggest things she has given us.”
Mr Vander-Kuyp said he was looking forward to getting into the job. “It’s a great way to start the next phase of my life,” he said.