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The Shalom Gamarada Indigenous Residential Scholarship Program continues to be a model of best practice in supporting Indigenous students through their respective degrees at UNSW. In 2024 the program celebrated the graduation of its 70th graduate – a remarkable achievement.
Over the past two years, following a difficult period with the ripple effects of COVID still being felt, the board has focused all resources on the current cohort of students. The college team has spent considerable time liaising with Nura Gili (Indigenous Unit at UNSW) about how to best support students academically and emotionally. Students are academically progressing and the cohort for 2025 is a wonderful and cohesive group that contributes to all aspects of college life.
The program has continued to build on our relationship with Tranby Aboriginal Cooperative – where we hosted an inspired Induction event this year and plan to do the same for 2025. Tranby is a culturally sensitive space that students feel so at home in, and it has proven to be a much-appreciated addition to the Gamarada offering.
At a Board level, strategic planning remains a key focus as we navigate the evolving landscape around scholarships. This process is being overseen by a skilled external consultant and the Chair of our Board – Dr. Lisa Sarzin, ensuring the program continues to address an unmet need effectively.
As this will be my final CEO Report, I reflect on the achievements of the past six years as I step down from my role as Executive Director at the end of 2024. I am deeply grateful for the commitment that AIEF has shown to our program and the support that has allowed us to be sustainable. During COVID, our college remained open, primarily for our Gamarada students, to ensure they would have a safe place to study and live. For many students, moving home was not a viable option, and without Gamarada, many would have dropped out and significantly altered their futures. As a result, they all remained enrolled and continued on their chosen career paths.
The program has celebrated many significant events, including events at Parliament House and at Shalom college, where our students told their stories and expressed their gratitude for the program. We all watched on with pride as they shared their plans for making impact in their communities and beyond.
Since beginning this role in 2019, I have worked to sustain and build the credibility and legacy of this program, and I feel gratified that I leave this program having sustained its stellar reputation amongst our partners, Nura Gili, and across faculties. It has been lauded by the Vice Chancellor of UNSW, Professor Attila Brungs, “Gamarada has allowed its scholars opportunities that may otherwise have been out of reach. These supports are critical because while access to higher education unlocks enormous promise, success at university is where that promise makes way for social mobility, equity and prosperity to flourish.”
I take this opportunity to thank AIEF for the enduring partnership and hope that it continues to thrive in the years ahead.
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Being part of the AIEF Mentor Program has given me the opportunity to mentor and guide a student with great potential. It’s really encouraging to know that my student appreciates the support and I’m looking forward to being there to watch him grow from strength to strength.
Australian Indigenous Education Foundation
Suite 2A, Level 2
2-12 Foveaux Street
Surry Hills NSW 2010
T (02) 8373 8000
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info@aief.com.au
www.aief.com.au
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