TODAY, Mary MacKillop Foundation announces the results of its latest round of scholarships for Indigenous students to undertake tertiary qualifications, with support for 23 new students. This brings the total number of students currently being supported by the Foundation to 66.
John Buttle, Chair of Mary MacKillop Foundation, said today: “We are proud that the Foundation has now funded more than 160 tertiary scholarships for Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our scholars come from all over Australia and are studying a wide variety of disciplines, including medicine, law, education, the arts, music, environmental science, social work, teaching and Indigenous studies.
“Like Mary MacKillop, who worked to provide education to children of the poor regardless of race, colour or faith, our Foundation is committed to driving greater social inclusion throughout Australia. We strongly believe that education helps to reduce social barriers and gaps, provides new opportunities, creates future leaders and brings about lasting social change.”
Phoebe Grainer, one of the Foundation’s new scholarship recipients from the Northern Territory is following her dream of becoming a professionally trained Actress after being chosen from 2,000 applicants and accepted into the prestigious National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in Sydney. The support provided by the Foundation enables Phoebe to focus on her study without the worry of how to meet her living expenses and university fees.
“This qualification will not only benefit me but will benefit others, particularly Indigenous youths who also have dreams and aspirations of becoming actors and actresses. Seeing someone from their same mob completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts at NIDA will be encouraging, motivating and inspiring.”
The Mary MacKillop Foundation’s Scholarship program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders has a high graduation rate with nearly 80% of our students completing their qualification, a success rate which far exceeds the National average. Through financial assistance and ongoing mentoring, students are supported and nurtured towards graduation.
The Foundation is grateful for the support of Good Shepherd Sisters who have provided support for eight tertiary students in this round of scholarship funding. The Foundation relies on donations to fund its Indigenous tertiary scholarships, as well as its community grants program which supports small life changing projects to help those most vulnerable or marginalised in the Australian community.
The Mary MacKillop Foundation was established by the Sisters of St Joseph to continue the work of their founder, Mary MacKillop, Australia’s first Saint. Saint Mary MacKillop showed great compassion for anyone in need, regardless of race, colour or faith, and a reverence for the dignity of others, especially those most neglected in society.
In the tradition of the work of St Mary MacKillop the Foundation’s programs aim to achieve lasting change by empowering those in need to take control of their lives and build a better future for themselves and their communities. The Foundation is committed to achieving this through the provision of tertiary scholarships for Indigenous students and supporting small life-changing projects to help those most vulnerable or marginalised in the Australian community.
Over the past 20 years the Foundation has supported more than 600 community projects and is currently partnering with 68 projects in 2015. The Foundation has supported 74 Indigenous students to complete their tertiary qualifications and is currently supporting 66 students in tertiary studies. We value your support for our work.
Source: Mary Mackillop Foundation
Ryan Fritz
Ryan Fritz started The Advocate in 2014 to provide not-for-profits and charities another media platform to tell their worthwhile hard news stories and opinion pieces effortlessly. In 2020, Ryan formed a team of volunteer journalists to help spread even more high-quality stories from the third sector. He also has over 10 years experience as a media and communications professional for not-for-profits and charities and currently works at Redkite, a childhood cancer charity.
