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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Prep studies graduate welcomes major Aged Care Nursing scholarship 

Published on 29 November, 2006 

Recently-graduated CQU STEPS (preparatory studies) student Nell O’Riely, recently received word she not only passed STEPS with flying colours but has also been accepted for a Royal College of Nursing Aged Care Nursing scholarship worth up to $30,000 to assist in the completion of her nursing degree at CQU.

PhotoID:3821 Nell almost dropped out of the STEPS course when her husband suffered a major heart attack at a time when she had assignments due, exams looming and 3 visiting family members from all corners of the globe arriving.

Nobody would blame Nell for putting her study plans on hold but her STEPS lecturer and CQU Mackay STEPS coordinator Lyn Forbes-Smith, provided Nell with the inspiration and support she needed to keep her goals in sight.

“Keep going, keep going is what Lyn told me,” Nell said.

“I am so grateful to Lyn as I wouldn’t be here now if it wasn’t for her.

“In a group assignment I visited Maude Chapman in the CQU Mackay Nursing area and she told me about the scholarship”.

An experienced aged care worker currently employed at Northview, Nell decided she wasn’t sure if she wanted to go to uni after finishing STEPS but kept her options open and followed Maude’s advice by applying for the scholarship.

“When I heard I was successful I just wanted to go for it! My job as an aged nursing assistant is back breaking and as I get older I would like to progress in the job and improve the quality of work I am doing each day,” Nell said.

“At the moment I am at the bottom in my job. You don’t always want to be at the bottom, you want to rise a little bit in life”.

Nell’s courageous commitment to finish her course under difficult circumstances was praised by her teacher and STEPS coordinator Lyn Forbes-Smith.

“Nell has been an inspiration to her colleagues and to the staff. She is proof of the power of her optimistic approach to her family, her study and her work. Through STEPS, Nell has transformed her life and her future, and shown how it’s never too late to realise your dreams” Lyn said.

Photo: Nell O’Riely (left) thanks CQU Mackay STEPS coordinator Lyn Forbes-Smith for encouraging her to persist with her studies.