Chempro Chemists Owner/Proprietor Jaga Maitland-Smith with NRL Cowboys House students Amaziah and Cyntara
A personal connection
For Chempro Townsville’s Jaga Maitland-Smith becoming a ‘Friend’ of NRL Cowboys House is personal.
As a former border himself and now Owner/Proprietor of five Chempro Chemists in Townsville, he is passionate about improving health and lifestyle outcomes for young people.
“I went to an all-boys Christian Brothers boarding school growing up and had a lot of mates from regional and remote communities in Queensland and PNG,” Jaga said.
“It was amazing to see how my friends were able to access opportunities they might not have had otherwise,” he said.
“Now, knowing the NRL Cowboys House is creating life-changing opportunities for young Indigenous men and women is inspiring to me, and it’s certainly something I’m proud to be part of,” he said.
House students Amaziah and Cyntara learning about the products and advice on offer at Chempro Chemists
A caring career opportunity
Chempro pharmacies pride themselves on offering affordable products and expert, caring advice for the whole community. And, as a new Friend of the House, will now also deliver opportunities for career pathways to students.
“The healthcare field by nature is a compassionate and caring field, so sponsoring and supporting positive personal growth for NRL Cowboys House students is a natural fit,” Jaga said.
“It would be fantastic to help open up doors into the healthcare industry and inspire the students to join pharmacy or other healthcare fields,” he said.
“And also empowering them and showing them the difference they themselves can make in the lives of others around them, and in their communities.”
The partnership will support students’ education and growth via direct sponsorship of the House, as well as support individual students through work experience and career opportunities.
Chempro Chemists have also helped fundraise for the Cowboys Community Foundation through our Cowboys YETI charity raffles.
“It's my goal and wish that our partnership will provide students with tangible career outcomes,” Jaga said.
“We will provide supportive and valuable work experience opportunities to develop students’ life skills.
“Our goal is to be a point of contact and mentorship for their future, so they feel confident, capable and supported in whatever life opportunities they take on later in life.”
Geniune friends matter
Cowboys Community Foundation CEO Fiona Pelling said it was genuine ‘friendships’ like Chempro’s that helped students discover opportunities they previously might not have believed possible.
“Many of our NRL Cowboys House boarders come from remote locations where they may not have had a local pharmacy,” Fiona said.
“We are incredibly grateful to partners like Chempro who are truly invested in providing new and exciting career opportunities to our students,” she said.
“It truly is life-changing for them.”
Become a Friend of the House
The Friend of the House program enables organisations and individuals to make meaningful contributions with an investment that creates a lasting impact on the education and employment outcomes for Indigenous secondary students from remote communities.
For more information visit: https://www.cowboysfoundation.org.au/partner
