The University of Newcastle, Australia

Three University of Newcastle staff members who are studying postgraduate degrees have received Australian Government scholarships.

Mr Luke Halvorsen, Mr James Charles and Ms Elizabeth Cameron have been awarded Indigenous Staff Scholarships at a ceremony in Canberra.

The scholarships, worth up to $38,000 each, provide professional development opportunities to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff working at Australian universities.

The University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Global Relations), Professor Kevin McConkey, said Newcastle received three out of the eight available scholarships.

“The University is recognised nationally for its active support of the aspirations of Indigenous people through access to higher education,” he said.

“This extends to supporting our Indigenous staff undertaking further education in their areas of strength.”

All three staff members work within the University’s Wollotuka Institute, which supports the most comprehensive range of Indigenous high education programs in Australia.

Mr Halvorsen is a Project Officer and his scholarship is supporting his Masters degree in marketing.

Mr Charles is a lecturer in Indigenous health undertaking a Masters degree in podiatry, and Ms Cameron is a PhD candidate who works within the University’s Yapug program, a tertiary preparation course for Indigenous people.