CQUniversity Australia
 

Engaging Indigenous people within Higher Ed

CQUniversity's Office of Indigenous Engagement recently hosted a visit from the Oodgeroo Unit of Queensland University of Technology (QUT), at Rockhampton Campus.

Professor Anita Lee Hong, Director of the Oodgeroo Unit, and Lone Pearce, Project Officer, met with Office of Indigenous Engagement staff to discuss employment issues and best practice models for engaging Indigenous people within the higher education sector, including governance matters.

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Six CQUni students among Arrow Energy scholarship recipients 

Six CQUniversity students are among 25 Indigenous students from around Queensland who have been awarded Arrow Energy scholarships of between $5000-$10,000 to help them with their university studies...

The students were recently presented with their awards by Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural Affairs Glen Elmes and Arrow CEO Andrew Faulkner, at the launch of Arrow's Reconciliation Action Plan at QUT Gardens Point.

PhotoID:14783, Clockwise from top left Allanah Hunt, Yarrndji Gapu Ingra, Elyce Wykes,  Stacey Budby, Margaret Hornagold and Lauren Roth
Clockwise from top left Allanah Hunt, Yarrndji Gapu Ingra, Elyce Wykes, Stacey Budby, Margaret Hornagold and Lauren Roth

The scholarships allow students to access academic support resources such as stationery, textbooks, internet access and IT as well as travel, accommodation and living expenses.

Professor Bronwyn Fredericks, CQUniversity Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement) and BMA Chair in Indigenous Engagement said she was pleased with the outcome of the Arrow Energy Scholarship round for 2013 and congratulated the recipients.

"Scholarships such as these can make a huge difference to students in terms of supporting them to stay at university and to get the important equipment they need to fully participate," Professor Fredericks said.

LINK HERE for more Arrow Energy Scholarship photos

Yarrndji Gapu Ingra of Gladstone has started the first year of his Bachelor of Engineering Co-op at CQUniversity after completing his schooling at St Brendan's College in Yeppoon. Yarrndji was inspired to become an engineer after attending an Indigenous engineering summer school camp. He is a proud Gooreng Gooreng man and is extremely passionate about the environment. Yarrndji is looking forward to applying his Indigenous knowledge and perspective during a long and successful engineering career.

Margaret Hornagold of Rockhampton is studying for her Bachelor of Laws at CQUniversity. Margaret is a descendant of the Southern Barada and Kabalbara. She has been a prominent leader and community advocate for many years, was elected as an ATSIC Commissioner and received an Australia Day award in recognition  of her work in Queensland Corrective Services. For the past 12 years she has successfully lead an Indigenous community organisation in Rockhampton. Margaret plans to use her law degree to ensure contract law protects the rights and interests of non-government parties.

Lauren Roth of Bundaberg is in the first year of her Bachelor of Nursing at CQUniversity. She began her career as a primary health worker at the Bundaberg Indigenous Wellbeing Centre. Originally from Eidsvold, Lauren is a very proud Wakka Wakka woman. Upon completing her studies she plans to work in a remote Indigenous community across the state.

PhotoID:14784, Recipients and official guests gather at the scholarship presentation event
Recipients and official guests gather at the scholarship presentation event

Elyce Wykes of Dundowran Beach is in her second year of a Bachelor of Medical Sonography and Graduate Diploma of Medical Sonography at CQUniversity. Post-study, she intends to seek placement in a remote area to provide good access to medical care. Elyce has been a model student - in her first year of study she scored five high distinctions and two distinctions for her coursework. She intends to improve further on this success as well continuing to volunteer in various community projects.

Stacey Budby of Robina has started her Master of Management (International Business) at CQUniversity after graduating with a Bachelor of Business (Management) in 2010. One of Stacey's goals is to work for an international company and have a senior position to influence the company to make sound social responsibility policies and procedures towards Traditional Owners and landowners.

Allanah Hunt of Toogoolawah is in her second year of a Bachelor of Arts at CQUniversity, majoring in creative writing, literary and cultural studies. Living in the Brisbane Valley, she is completing her studies through distance education. Allanah has already finished her first novel, which was highly commended at the National Indigenous Writing Competition. As an accomplished writer she plans to pen many novels and short stories portraying the plight of Indigenous people and promoting the beauty of Indigenous culture.

The scholarships are part of Arrow's two-year $780,000 commitment to provide Indigenous scholarships and high school bursaries.

Arrow CEO Andrew Faulkner said all recipients were from Traditional Owner groups in the areas that Arrow operates in.

"Arrow is very mindful of Traditional Owners' connection to the land and believes they should benefit from the state's coal seam gas (CSG) boom," Mr Faulkner said.

"These scholarships are a direct and targeted action towards overcoming Indigenous disadvantage in Queensland long-term."