Moray & Agnew Newcastle announced last month that it has established the Moray & Agnew Indigenous Shaping Futures Scholarship in Law with the University of Newcastle.

Beginning this year (2021) and in place for at least three years, this equity scholarship focuses on supporting Indigenous law students throughout their studies.

The Moray & Agnew Indigenous Shaping Futures Scholarship in Law scholarship contributes $4,000 to a different University of Newcastle Law School student each year to assist with expenses such as accommodation, textbooks and equipment, day to day living, travel costs and work placements.

Moray & Agnew’s Managing Partner Newcastle, Sean O’Sullivan said they are thrilled to offer this opportunity to Indigenous communities looking to further a career in the law industry.

“We are excited to partner with the University of Newcastle, a highly reputable institution well known for high-quality education, to support transformative outcomes for Indigenous students,” he said.

“Our firm has an ongoing commitment to good corporate citizenship. One aspect of our firm’s business strategy relates to reconciliation initiatives and ways in which it engages with First Nations communities, supporting awareness and understanding of Australian Indigenous culture and entrepreneurship. One of the factors underpinning this is education.”

The University’s Pro-Vice Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy and Leadership), Nathan Towney said this with further enhance their existing Indigenous education focus and provide further opportunities for growth in the community.

“The University of Newcastle has a national leadership role and outstanding track record in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander higher education. Our enrolment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students is significantly higher than the national average,” Nathan said.

“We believe in providing a world of opportunity for all people, regardless of their background and experiences.

“We’re delighted that Moray & Agnew has chosen to support our dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander scholars of law and help them achieve their full potential, now and into the future.”

Dean and Head of Newcastle Law School, Professor Tania Sourdin said the support is welcomed and is a great opportunity to start in 2021.

“It’s wonderful to have this support for our Indigenous students; there’s a pressing need to have more Indigenous lawyers,” Tania concluded.

IMAGE | Professor Tania Sourdin, Dean and Head of Newcastle Law School, University of Newcastle, and Sean O’Sullivan, Managing Partner Newcastle, Moray & Agnew (left-right).