Ricoh partners with Yalari to fund six-year Indigenous scholarship

Ricoh Australia has announced a partnership with Yalari to fully fund a six-year scholarship for one Indigenous student's secondary education from Year 7 to Year 12.

Yalari, founded in 2005, supports Indigenous children from regional and remote communities across Australia by providing full boarding school scholarships covering their entire secondary education. Since its establishment, Yalari has awarded more than 800 scholarships to students from 187 different communities across the nation.

This partnership between Ricoh and Yalari involves funding for one student's education for six years at a participating boarding school. Yalari currently collaborates with 20 of Australia's top schools to provide education opportunities. In 2025, there are 251 students supported by Yalari scholarships, while close to 600 alumni are pursuing higher education, employment, or training opportunities.

Ricoh's People & Purpose Manager, Simone Wilson, said the partnership reflects the company's ongoing commitment to reconciliation and cultural awareness through its internal initiatives. In her statement, she noted, "Ricoh's Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group reviews opportunities annually in which Ricoh can support its pledge to reconciliation as well as foster greater understanding and respect. This year, we are honoured to partner with Yalari to support their work in providing access for Indigenous students to high-quality education. Our student sponsorship reflects our long-standing commitment to inclusivity as well as fostering respectful relationships and a culturally aware workforce. We are excited to join with Yalari to support and celebrate the next generation."

Ricoh introduced its first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in 2024 to guide its efforts in advancing reconciliation and supporting an inclusive and equitable society. The RAP forms a part of Ricoh's broader Diversity Policy, which aims to value every individual and support strong community relationships. The company's reconciliation initiatives also include providing employment pathways, professional development, and retention strategies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Waverley Stanley AM, Founding Director of Yalari, commented on the partnership, underscoring the importance of collaboration in supporting Indigenous students. He stated,

"Partnerships like this are about walking together with a shared vision. In this instance, the vision is a more unified Australia through the power of education. Ricoh's support means more opportunities for young Indigenous Australians, getting the quality education and future they deserve. Together, we're creating pathways that will ripple through families and communities for generations to come."

Since its inception, Yalari has sought to build networks connecting students from diverse Indigenous communities to educational resources often unavailable in remote areas. This approach aims to address the disparities in access to secondary education and to increase opportunities available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth.

Ricoh operates globally in approximately 200 countries and regions, with its 2025 financial year worldwide sales reported at JPY ¥2,527 billion (approximately USD $16.8 billion). The company's mission includes empowering individuals to achieve fulfilment at work by adapting workplace practices and supporting professional growth, aligning with its broader commitments to diversity and inclusion.