THE Mary MacKillop Foundation is inviting applications for its’ 2016 Indigenous Tertiary Scholarship Program.
The Foundation is looking for Indigenous tertiary students of all ages who are studying their first tertiary qualification, can demonstrate the financial need for a scholarship and who are involved in their local community. Students may be studying any discipline, at any tertiary institution.
Maree Whybourne, CEO of the Mary MacKillop Foundation, says, “Our Indigenous Tertiary Scholarship Program, established in 1998, has seen 75 scholars graduate with a tertiary degree, and many of whom are the first in their family to do so.
“In 2015, the Mary MacKillop Foundation supports 66 Indigenous students through its Scholarship Program and our scholars have an 80% graduation rate. The national average for Indigenous tertiary students is less than 30%.
“Our scholars study disciplines ranging from education, medicine and law to acting and social work. We wish for all Australians to fulfil their potential, which is why we recognise and support the different pathways that people can take to gain a higher education.”
Ruth, a mature age student and 2015 Scholarship recipient is fulfilling her childhood dream of becoming an artist by studying Fine Art at the University of New South Wales. She has gained two distinctions in her first year at University, even while adjusting to life away from her home in Cairns to study.
Ruth says, “I want my art to be about the stories and the histories of our people, the Torres Strait Islanders and also educating the wider community about our history. I don’t have words to describe how the Mary MacKillop Foundation has helped me… It means the world.”
The Foundation will award three types of scholarships in 2016: Tertiary course fees plus $3,000 per year towards living expenses; a living expenses scholarship of $3,000 per year; and the Good Shepherd Reconciliation Scholarship for living expenses of $3,000 per year (for female applicants only).
By removing barriers to completing a tertiary education, the Mary MacKillop Foundation helps to reduce Indigenous disadvantage and create better employment opportunities, better health outcomes and future leaders through this longstanding Scholarship Program.
Scholarship applicants need to be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, have completed one year of study towards their qualification, and be enrolled full time with any recognised Australian higher education provider.
Applications are available to download online during September through to 5pm on 30 October and interested students should visit the Mary MacKillop Foundation website to find out more: https://www.mackillopfoundation.org.au/projects/#scholarships.
Thanks to the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and The Good Shepherd Sisters for their ongoing support of the Mary MacKillop Foundation Scholarship Program.
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.
