2. “For a good future, students need pride
and confidence in themselves and in culture
... and a strong education.”
Lois Peeler AM
Principal of Worawa Aboriginal College
and original member of The Sapphires
3. Throughout my career, I’ve spent considerable amounts of time
in both remote and urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
communities and I can tell you that education has to be the first
step towards ‘closing the gap’ between Indigenous and non-
Indigenous Australians.
Without exception, the communities I’ve visited are blessed with
inspirational leaders and elders who understand this simple
truth and are working hand in hand with dedicated primary and
secondary educators to steer their children along this path.
But, as we all know, the link between completing high school and
long-term career success is tertiary education.
If you believe that all Australians deserve equal opportunity and
that education is the key to solving the health, economic and
social issues faced by our most disadvantaged families, we invite
you to partner with Bond University in making a life-changing and
life-long difference.
Regards,
Catherine O’Sullivan
Pro Vice-Chancellor, Pathways and Partnerships
Bond University
We can make a difference
4. Reconciliation = Education
Value of new scholarships 2016
=$723,720
Total value of scholarships (2012-2016)
=$4.18m $28,000in text book and living expenses
bursaries awarded since 2014
63 students assisted
The Pathways and Partnerships portfolio was established in 2012 to put
a stronger focus on improving education and career opportunities for
Indigenous Australians.
Since that time, we have invested more than $4.18 million in scholarships, bursaries, support services and outreach programs, thanks to the generosity of
our sponsors and through a significant contribution by the University.
Together, this is what we have achieved:
Number of students
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
33
41
45
54 59
79%
growth
2012 2013 2014 2015
5
7
12
19
43Indigenous
graduates
(since 2012)
2012 2013
8
6
15
57
New Scholarships Awarded
2014 2015 2016
14 14
Indigenous
scholarships
awarded
(since 2012)
54%
of students on
scholarships
95%
retention rate for
Indigenous students
(compared to national
average rate of 71%)
6. 2015 - A Year of Highlights
With its personalised teaching
approach and small class sizes,
Bond University is uniquely
positioned to offer cultural
support, mentoring and financial
assistance to our next generation
of Indigenous leaders.
Scholarships – Bond University awarded 14 new Indigenous scholarships
with a total value of $723,720 for students commencing university studies
in 2016.
Bursaries – Since 2014, the University’s Indigenous Support Fund has
distributed over $28,000 to assist students with the costs of text books
and living expenses.
One-on-One Support – In May 2015, the Nyombil Centre relocated to
larger premises where our Indigenous Cultural Support Officer Narelle
Urquhart and Centre Manager Jason Murray provide one-on-one
mentoring and cultural engagement.
Student Outreach – Once again, Bond University students coordinated
visits to remote communities in Kununurra (WA) and Abergowrie (Qld).
Culture on Campus – The Bond Indigenous Awareness Society continued
to profile Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture on campus via a
range of activities including their Jingerri Welcome BBQs, NAIDOC Week
celebrations and guest speaker events.
Women Yarning Up – In July, the Pathways and Partnerships team
escorted a delegation of Principals from the Alliance of Girls’ Schools
Australasia and businesswomen to meet educators, community leaders
and families on Murray Island and Thursday Island in the Torres Strait.
This year they will return to Lockhart River in far north Queensland.
Schools Mentoring – More than 60 Bond University students participated
in the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience, encouraging 140
Indigenous high school students to continue on to tertiary studies.
Cultural Awareness – The University continued to promote Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander arts and culture through the Corrigan Walk
Art Tours and Bond’s partnership with the Arts Centre Gold Coast’s
Indigenous program.
Fundraising – Starring Australia’s Queen of Soul, Christine Anu, the
2015 Bond University Indigenous Gala broke all records, attracting 550
attendees and raising $364,000 to support our Indigenous scholarship
program.
7. Faith Considine (18)
ISS Facility Services Scholar
Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of
International Relations
Jordan Kilcoyne (18)
Diploma of Legal Studies
Blake Ritson (18)
Bachelor of Social Science
Makayla Palm (17)
Bachelor of Psychological Science
Justyce Pengilly (17)
Bachelor of Psychological Science
Meet some of our
2016 Scholars
8. How Can You Help to Make a Difference?
Bond University receives no government
funding for its Indigenous scholarship
program. Our success has been achieved
through partnering with businesses,
organisations and individuals who share
our vision of true reconciliation.
We invite you to join with us in creating even more opportunities for Indigenous
students by:
Sponsoring an Indigenous Scholarship
We offer a number of different partnership levels, based on a two-year commitment:
• $50,500 per year to sponsor a full scholarship for a degree* program
• $25,500 per year to sponsor a full scholarship for a diploma program
• $12,500 per year contribution towards our Indigenous scholarships and bursaries
• $6,500 per year contribution towards our general Indigenous education initiatives
Corporate Partner – Bond University Indigenous Gala
In 2015, the Bond University Indigenous Gala attracted a record crowd of 550 influential
corporate, community, political and media attendees, helping us to raise $364,000.
Opportunities to support the annual Gala include:
• Sponsorships
• In-kind donations of relevant products and services
• Donations of auction and raffle prizes
• Ticket sales
* Scholarship options for the Bond University Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery
are available upon request. Bachelor of Laws scholarship is $67,000 per year for a
two year commitment.
Hannah Duncan
Bachelor of Laws
9. No Greater Reward
Supporting Bond University’s Indigenous
education initiatives offers our sponsors a
wide range of corporate promotion
opportunities. More importantly, we
hope you will be inspired to join us
because …
• Your money is invested directly in providing education and career opportunities for
our most promising Indigenous young people.
• You will be contributing to a program that works – our Indigenous student
enrolments have increased by 79% since 2012 with a retention rate of 95% and our
graduates are now establishing their careers in a diverse range of industries.
• You know that ‘closing the gap’ is as much about changing minds as it is about
changing hearts. Receiving a Bond scholarship says to a student that ‘you can do
anything’.
• The support you give to today’s Bond University students will not only equip them
to be proud Indigenous leaders; it will inspire family, friends and community
members to follow in their footsteps.
10. “My parents raised me to be
proud of my Indigenous
heritage and that’s been
strengthened so much more
for me since coming to Bond.”
Bethany Allen
2015 Indigenous Scholarship recipient
Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Laws
11. Leann Wilson
Executive Director – Business Development & Innovation, Regional Economic Solutions
Bond University Indigenous Fellow
Leann Wilson provides leadership, advice and mentoring to the Bond University
community and its partners, along with valuable contributions towards understanding of
and connection with Indigenous culture.
Leann has Aboriginal and South Sea Islander heritage, tracing her lineage to the Bidjara
and Kara Kara tribal groups. Her strong connections to her traditional lands include
holding responsibility for women’s sacred sites, which incorporates a 4,000 year old rock
art site and Native Title business.
In her professional life, Leann has forged a high profile career in Indigenous business
with a key focus on education, employment, business development and community
advocacy.
Regional Economic Solutions, the business she founded with her cousin, Mal Meninga AM
and recent partner Stephen Hagan, is dedicated to bridging the economic and social gap
between Indigenous Australians, businesses and the government. Its aim is to foster an
environment of collaboration between government, businesses and Indigenous
Australians to support social, public policy and economic outcomes that are sustainable,
ethical and responsible.
Leann’s immense contribution to Bond University’s Indigenous strategy includes
developing the concept and co-hosting the annual Yarning Up cultural immersion trip to
some of Queensland’s most remote Indigenous communities by small groups of school
Principals, high profile entrepreneurs, Indigenous facilitators and Bond University
representatives.
Yarning Up gives educators and business people a unique ‘immersion in community’
experience where the participants gain first-hand knowledge of the lifestyle, family
structures, social issues and cultural traditions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
living in remote parts of Queensland.
“As facilitator and
Indigenous host of Yarning
Up, my role is to ensure
that the intent of
‘reconciliation’ is
incorporated into every
aspect of the design,
itinerary planning,
community engagement
and participant selection
for the five-day program.”
Leann Wilson
12. Bond University Indigenous Gala
Featuring special guest and country music legend
TROY CASSAR-DALEY
Friday, 11 November, 2016
Join us for an inspiring celebration of Indigenous culture and achievement.
The Bond University Indigenous Gala is a core element of our scholarship
fundraising with all proceeds going towards Indigenous scholarships,
bursaries and student support.
Troy Cassar-Daley is a hugely successful musician, with a multi-award
winning career spanning more than 25 years.
A proud member of the Bundjalung nation with a true connection to his land
and his people, Troy believes deeply in community and giving back. Most
significantly, reflecting his generosity of spirit as a man, artist, husband,
father and son, his music reminds us of what is real and what matters.
13. “Bond University’s multi-faceted
approach to Indigenous education has
succeeded in creating a pathway from
tiny schools in Australia’s most remote
communities to a world-class university
experience. Supporting their initiatives
in this vital area has allowed myself and
my family to help transform the lives of
young Indigenous students and to
rewrite the future for their children
and grandchildren.”
Dr Patrick Corrigan AM
Indigenous Gala Patron
Photo credited to Gary Grealy, NSW based photographer.
14. “In our own humanity we have ... a capacity to make a
difference to the lives of others.”
Dr Chris Sarra
Founder and Chairman, Stronger Smarter Institute
16. MB1270
Bond University pays our respects to all Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander Elders past and present
and their descendants. We acknowledge their
collective and unique contributions to our
community, our culture and our country.
The artwork displayed on the cover of this booklet
was created by acclaimed local artist and Nyombil
Centre Indigenous Support Officer, Narelle
Urquhart.
For more information contact:
Pathways and Partnerships Office
Phone: 07 5595 1430
bond.edu.au
