Gavin Wanganeen Indigenous Scholarship Recipients
To date the Gavin Wanganeen Indigenous Scholarship has provided support to several UniSA students, and the lives of each of the recipients has been touched profoundly. Below are quotes from each of the Gavin Wanganeen Indigenous scholars providing updates on their progress.
Messages from the scholarship recipients:
WENDY BARTH
“I am just so overwhelmed and proud to be chosen to receive this scholarship. The peace of mind from getting the financial assistance is such a relief, but it is also much more. I am so appreciative and excited that I now have the support to achieve my goals.”
Wendy is studying towards a Bachelor of Nursing. After her graduation she plans to return to outback regions of Australia to work in health clinics.
“I have already gained some healthcare qualifications, but I want to complete my Bachelor of Nursing to ensure that the highest level of care is available to Indigenous people, and that I can in turn share my knowledge with other healthcare workers. Ultimately my goal is to establish and run a specialised health clinic in a remote area.”
NATHAN AGIUS
“If I can encourage just one other fella to go to University, my job is done. If I can encourage more than that, all the better!”
Nathan is undertaking a Bachelor of Arts (Australian
Studies) / Bachelor of Education (Middle and Secondary). He would like
to be involved in encouraging more Indigenous Australians to
participate in Tertiary Education - to make it less of a ‘foreign’
idea in Indigenous communities. As a Gavin Wanganeen Scholarship
recipient, he has already begun speaking on the subject at various
community events.
AMANDA LYNCH
“This Scholarship has helped me in ways that the donors may never understand and I thank them so much for that. It is a daily reassurance that I am on the right path and a reminder that I can do more.”
Amanda is studying towards a Bachelor of Arts (Aboriginal Studies) / Bachelor of Social Work. She intends to graduate with honours in 2011 and to then study a PhD in Indigenous Studies. She hopes to work for the Australian Government in the area of service delivery to rural and Indigenous communities and to eventually work for the United Nations. In addition to her studies, she is a Student Represenative for the David Unaipon College and has taken on a tutoring role with Families SA.
ANDREW BARKER
“The Scholarship is definitely a talking point at work. Through word of mouth, it helps to inspire others to stick with their studies and follow their dreams.”
Andrew is undertaking a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education part-time. He studies externally and at the same time, works full-time and looks after his little boy. His dream is to become a registered teacher and perhaps one day teach in the Pitjantjatjara Lands or in other remote Indigenous communities.
PATRICIA WARIA-READ
“I am a real believer in education. I like to tell my story to the younger generation whenever I get the chance. They are quite amazed to meet a 50 year old grandmother who has just completed a degree. It is a real inspiration for them.”
Patricia completed her Bachelor of Education (Adult, Vocational
and Workplace Learning) at the end of 2008. She is currently
starting up her own business, delivering Cultural Awareness Packages
to government and educational institutions. In so doing, she hopes
to give the wider community a greater perspective of her culture and
the place of Indigenous Australians in our history and to create a
working partnership with the wider community.