"I have been informed by the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) that I am the first student to obtain a degree through a South Sea Islander Scholarship"

RE: South Sea Islander Scholarship for 2006 at University of the Sunshine Coast

I have addressed the following:

What Uni?

The university I attended was the University of the Sunshine Coast. I felt this university gave me the support and guidance through my degree both for my professional career development by obtaining ITAS Tutoring and in my personal life dealing with going to university.

What Course?

I chose to do the Bachelor of Social Science, Majoring in Community Welfare. This was a great course as it developed my community development skills from previous Youth Worker positions and gave me the tools when dealing with clients through courses in counselling and psychology.

Start & Completion Time?

I started in 2004, however needed to defer for a year to have my son and attend to being a full-time parent. I completed my degree in 2007 in November and obtained work in the same month.

Where the Scholarship would take you?

Being a mature age student when I started I had been working in the field of community work but was unable to apply for particular positions due to not obtaining the appropriate level of education. The scholarship gave me the vital tool of a degree to apply for the positions that I wish to work in. Furthermore, after having the experience of attending university I would like to do my Honours at some stage.

Personal Experience

The personal experiences I had being able to attend university through the scholarship not only developed my professional career achievements but also allowed me become part of an academic community. Being part of this community I have being part of the Buranga Student Board and attended Indigenous Community Network Meetings with the Deputy Vice Chancellor. This was significant for me being the first recognised South Sea Islander student and being asked to attend such important meeting in regards to Indigenous Student admissions into university and bringing awareness of how Indigenous Students feel supported during their degree.

Positives of the Scholarship

Having a fortnightly allowance from the Scholarship and the book allowance at the beginning of every semester allowed me to obtain the required text and assisted with rent and other living expenses.

Negatives of the Scholarship

Not being able to obtain Abstudy, however identifying as an Indigenous Australian stopped me from obtaining Rental Assistance (Austudy does not provide Rental Assistance) and other living allowances such as travel and so forth. It was explained by Multicultural Affairs Queensland that I was only to obtain Austudy and not Abstudy for statistical reasons.

I have been informed by the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) that I am the first student to obtain a degree through a South Sea Islander Scholarship, and have recently been told that no one had applied for this years Scholarship. When asked why I was advised that no one had applied for the Scholarship, which is very unfortunate.

The university is a great place to listen, learn and achieve great accomplishments both as a student and also for an individual’s personal life. Through their support and encouragement I was also able to obtain part-time work in the Administration Department of (USC) and in Indigenous Student Support (USC). To have more positive outcomes for South Sea Islanders wishing to obtain a degree this is a great university for them to attend and there is no such thing as limitations in their delivery.

Thankyou