Arrow Energy has awarded university scholarships to six Indigenous students at three Queensland universities.
The recipients are the latest members of the Arrow Energy Indigenous University Scholarships program.
“The scholarships are worth up to $10,000 a year for each person’s course and have been set up to provide access to higher education for Traditional Owner groups in Arrow’s areas of operation,” Arrow Energy Community Relations General Manager Glenda Viner said.
“Arrow has committed itself to playing an active role in closing the gap and these scholarships are part of that effort.
“We have been maintaining 25 scholarships for Indigenous students at six universities around Queensland since launching them in 2012. As students complete their studies, we add new scholars to replace them – and these six people are the newest additions.
“Our scholarships are a complete educational package that also includes mentoring, tutoring and peer support networks so students have the best support to achieve their goals.
“They remove some of the barriers that might discourage Indigenous high school students from progressing to higher education.”
The latest scholarship winners are:
Griffith University
Amarina Smith of Clayfield. Amarina, who comes from Rockhampton, is a Kabal-Barada woman and is studying her Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Government and International Relations. A member of the Griffith University Honours College, she has a passion for the humanities and wants to join the international legal community. Last year, Amarina was awarded a three-month research scholarship with Global Voices, participating in a World Trade Organisation public forum in Geneva during which she published a research paper about trade and intellectual property protections for traditional indigenous knowledge.
Queensland University of Technology
Mikaela French of Cairns is studying a Bachelor of Laws Honours at QUT. In 2014 Mikaela participated in the 2014 National Indigenous Youth Parliament and was part of the National Indigenous Leadership Academy in 2013. Mikaela hopes to complete a double degree with a Bachelor of Justice and become involved with ATSILS (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Legal Services) or Native Title Law to give back to the community in relation to Indigenous issues.
Shekira Cardona from Mount Gravatt is completing a Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of Laws (Honours) at QUT. Shekira’s career aspiration is to become a human rights lawyer and work both domestically and internationally. Shekira is a Barunggam woman from the Dalby area.
Todd Crawford, of Yeerongpilly (originally Roma) is undertaking Bachelor of Electrical Engineering at QUT, majoring in control systems. Todd is a descendent of the Mandandanji people. As a first-in-family university student, he hopes to inspire his community and future generations about the value of tertiary education.
Rebekka Taylor of Redcliffe is studying a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) at QUT, majoring in Health and Physical Education. Rebekka is a descendant of the Bidjara people and a Mentor for AIME (Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience). She visits state high schools in south-east Queensland to tutor students academically as well as hosting intensive workshop days that empower Indigenous students to reach their full potential. On completing her studies Rebekka hopes to make positive and powerful contribution towards the progress of equity in education.
James Cook University
Cindy Holman, a Jirrbal lady from White Rock, is studying a Bachelor of Education (Primary) at JCU. After working as a teachers’ aide for many years, mother-of-four Cindy is committed to achieving her career aspiration of becoming a qualified primary school teacher. Cindy’s plan is to teach at a remote school for several years and then move to her family hometown of Herberton.
Arrow also assists year 11 and 12 students through the Arrow Energy – QATSIF QCE Scholarships program.
For more information about applying for Arrow’s Indigenous scholarships, visit this section of the Arrow Energy website.
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Arrow Energy Pty Ltd
Arrow Energy is an integrated coal seam gas (CSG) company that explores and develops gas fields, produces and sells CSG and generates electricity. The company has been safely and sustainably developing CSG since 2000, supplying it commercially since 2004 and now delivers almost 20 per cent of Queensland’s gas from its five CSG fields in the Bowen and Surat basins. Arrow is working to meet the growing international demand for cleaner burning fuels through gas supply for liquefied natural gas export. Arrow is owned by a joint venture company between Shell and PetroChina (50/50).