CQU Bundaberg's recent Celebration of Success for Tertiary Entry Program (TEP) students was made more meaningful through the participation of Chris Sarra, Queenslander of the Year and Principal of Cherbourg School.

Mr Sarra presented an inspiring Nullo Yumbah lecture encouraging Indigenous students to embrace the challenge of tertiary education.

Nulloo Yumbah is CQU’s Indigenous Learning, Spirituality and Research Centre.

He spoke of his own struggle to overcome the label of being good for nothing but gardening.

“Gaining special entry to University had a significant impact by making me realise that I’d been underselling myself. I was a lot smarter than the teachers or I thought I was.”.

Mr Sarra stressed the need for Indigenous students to “back themselves”, to determine for themselves where they wanted to go and not rely on the advice of others.

“Set your own expectations of yourself and set them high. Tertiary education is just like a game. Once you figure out the rules of the academic game you’ll be playing as well as all the other people.”.

Mr Sarra is now Executive Master of Public Administration, has a Master of Education and is currently working toward his PhD.

“And I still have the same brain in my head as I had when I was at school!”.

Mr Sarra expressed his love for the world and the academic arena.

“As TEP students you are now part of it. I wish you well. Enjoy it.”.

Nulloo Yumbah Bundaberg is now looking toward building on current successes with the Tertiary Entry Program.

CQU Bundaberg has 21 continuing undergraduate Indigenous students, eight new undergraduate students and several students completing the TEP program. Indigenous undergraduate students are currently studying in the areas of Nursing, Health Promotion, Education, Arts, Communication, Business and IT.

Four students have been successful in obtaining cadetships and two have been awarded equity scholarships.

Photo: Academics and students mingling with visitor Chris Sarra (white shirt at rear), also pictured is Professor Alex Grady, Linda Nagas, Dr Arthur Pascoe, Michelle, Vicki Pascoe (Nulloo Yumbah Bundaberg), David Rouse and Laurel Hunt.

Photo: Linda Nagas, David Rouse and Michelle at the TEP celebration.