The Wollotuka Institute at the University of Newcastle has announced their 2024 Indigenous scholarship recipients recently. The 48 successful recipients were celebrated in front of their peers thanks to the generosity of their community scholarship donors.
Proud Wiradjuri woman, Makaah Darcy, received the Claudia Sloan Scholarship for Indigenous Students, which was established to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students through their higher education journey.
Makaah is in her first year studying a Bachelor of Law and a Bachelor of Criminology and spoke on behalf of the scholarship recipients at the event. She said she was honoured to receive the scholarship as it helped her dream of growing up to study Law at the University of Newcastle become a reality.
“The scholarship has completely changed my university experience, and I am beyond grateful to receive this to support me through my degree,” Makaah said.
“I grew up in Dubbo, so to be able to attend university I had to move four hours away from home and find a way to financially support myself. The financial benefits of the Claudia Sloan Scholarship have allowed me to pay my living expenses, decrease my workload and enable me to focus on my studies.
“During my studies I want to form a deep understanding of the legal system, and the processes used that directly affect my people, and be able to influence the promotion of their rights and needs within the legal system. I want to build an inclusive culturally diverse society, where our mob feel empowered to break stereotypes and flourish.
“I want to show my people any limitation they may face in their life is temporary, and their passion for success holds the power to overcome that limitation, whatever it may be.”
Makaah is a young, driven, passionate student keen to make changes within her community and has encouraged all the other scholarship recipients to also be role models and continue to pave the way for future generations.
“As part of my studies I’m working with Indigenous high school students to help them enhance their academic ability and attendance. I want to be the one that believes in them, never makes them feel limited and push them to explore more opportunities – as I know they are capable of more than what they think,” Makaah said.
“I cannot express how thankful I am for the contributions the donors have made to empower me, and others, to do more. I hope you all watch each Indigenous student you have helped excel, and realise you were a driving factor in their success.”
Makaah said the support provided by the Wollotuka Institute was something that can’t go without recognition.
“The team at Wollotuka continue to go above and beyond for myself and every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student across the University of Newcastle,” Makaah said.
Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Strategy and Leadership and Head of the Wollotuka Institute, Nathan Towney, said a scholarship can make all the difference for a student being able to successfully complete their higher education.
“This year we’ve seen more than 400 students supported across the University through scholarships funded through the generosity of more than 1,000 donors,” Mr Towney said.
“This amazing generosity is helping more students through all stages of their academic journey; from enabling programs to our final year students and PhD candidates.
“The contribution from our donors is breaking down barriers to higher education, fostering leaders of the future, such as Makaah, and helping us attract and retain talents students here in the Hunter region
“But most of all, the continued support from our donors shows that we all believe in our students and their ability to succeed – your commitment will help them make an incredible impact in our communities and globally.
“A massive congratulations to our successful scholarship recipients, we are all extremely proud of what you have already achieved by getting here.”
IMAGE | Wollotuka Scholars
