Meet the Scholars

Anjali Beames

Adelaide, SA

Bachelor of Development Studies/ Bachelor of Global Indigenous Studies

Growing up in Adelaide, Anjali developed a strong appreciation for natural spaces. With her profound connection to water, she dreamt of becoming a marine biologist until her passionate activism unveiled a different path. An active youth leader, Anjali has been widely recognised for her outstanding contributions to the South Australian environmental movement and her work to inspire young people to engage with issues around sustainability. She shares the view nurtured over thousands of years by First Nations peoples that nature isn’t simply a resource but an intricate living ecosystem deserving of our respect. Through her Bachelor of Development Studies/Global Indigenous Studies she hopes to enhance public understanding of environmental issues. She looks forward to connecting with other Ma & Morley Scholars and working together to effect positive social change.

Lachlan Blanch

Lake Macquarie, NSW

Bachelor of Data Science/Bachelor of Mathematics

While science might offer the technical solutions to pressing global challenges, Lachlan believes its true impact lies in how we communicate these findings with decision makers. Drawing on his toolkit of maths, science and leadership skills, Lachlan aspires to steer the world towards a more sustainable future as a data scientist.  With its predictive modelling capabilities, data science plays a crucial role in cultivating the most effective environmental strategies. Lachlan plans to use the best of modern technology to shine a light on the issues of today, including what we need to do to protect our environment. He intends to employ data-driven approaches to analyse and predict the outcomes of conservation and environmental protection methods to contribute to a more sustainable world.

Emma Booth

Sydney, NSW

Bachelor of Education (Secondary)/Diploma in Languages

Emma hopes to unite people to further improve Australia and its international relations. Growing up among different cultures in south Sydney, Emma learned important lessons about how people interact. She has also been greatly inspired by people like her mum who makes everyone feel like they belong. Pursuing a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) has given Emma the foundational knowledge to nurture students into complex problem solvers outside the classroom. She is looking forward to using her Diploma in Languages and experience as a Ma & Morley Scholar to expand her worldview. On completing her studies she hopes to live in China to experience a different culture first hand.

Scott Burgess

Hunter Region, NSW

Bachelor of Medical Science

Scott grew up in Singleton on beautiful Wonnarua country where his humble beginnings shaped his desire to give back. His relationship with culture underpins everything for Scott. Whether he’s coaching his son’s rugby league team about good nutrition and positive choices or teaching younger children at his son’s preschool how to express themselves through storytelling and art. Scott is passionate about helping young people, particularly young Indigenous men, learn coping strategies to handle the stressors of everyday life. Scott’s goal is to become a doctor to help close the gap in health and life expectancy for Indigenous Australians. He looks forward to engaging with communities to deliver healthcare that meets the specific needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Ashlee Dawson

Lake Macquarie, NSW

Bachelor of Psychological Science/Bachelor of Business

Ashlee grew up believing that anything is possible when you strive for it. A proud Gamilaroi woman, Ashlee was High School Captain and President of West Wallsend High School’s Junior Aboriginal Educational Consultative Group. Her commitment to helping others and initiating positive change is often inspired by Dreaming stories and lessons from the past. Ashlee believes that the key to confronting important issues is to use our collective voice to share language, spread kindness and work for change. After completing her Bachelor of Psychological Science/Bachelor of Business she hopes to start her own business helping others while advocating for the importance of positive mental health.

Amy de Malmanche

Newcastle, NSW

Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours)

Amy believes taking an interest in environmental issues is a necessity to maintain a livable planet. Growing up in Newcastle shaped her understanding of how industry and nature interact; and the importance of balancing both priorities while protecting the unique beauty of our coastline. As a school leader, she sought to inspire positive change wherever possible through various environmental initiatives. Meanwhile her experiences as a volunteer with homelessness service Soul Café has had a profound impact. Amy believes there are no bad people, just bad situations. She is excited to connect with more people from diverse cultures as part of the Ma & Morley Scholarship Program.

Shai-Lee Fairman

Newcastle, NSW

Bachelor of Social Science

Shai-lee is a proud Wiradjuri woman from Canberra with connections to Griffith and the broader NSW Riverina. She has devoted the past four years to working in Aboriginal and community-controlled organisations. It was during her time at the Lowitja Institute, the peak national organisation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research, that Shai-lee first realised a career in research was within her reach. She is now extremely proud to be the first in her family to attend university to further her education and work towards better outcomes for her community. After completing the Yapug program, she is studying a Bachelor of Social Science. Her goal is to help change the narrative for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by supporting their social, emotional and physical health.

Ari Green

Dungog Shire, NSW

Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours)

Ari grew up surrounded by the bush at the footstep of the Barrington Tops. Here the proud Worimi and Biripi man learnt about culture, native flora and fauna, and grew his appreciation for the small things. Ari hopes that through his studies in construction and design he can build a career that combines being present in nature with promoting longevity of the land – a principle integral to Indigenous culture. He hopes to produce solutions for affordable housing within Indigenous communities and integrate principles of custodianship more broadly. These actions will encourage more mutually beneficial relationships between people and the natural world, helping to facilitate a more sustainable future. Ari looks forward to contributing to the Ma & Morley community and helping to plant the seeds of knowledge and kindness among his peers.

Thomas Harvey

Port Stephens, NSW

Bachelor of Electrical & Electronic Engineering (Honours)

Thomas greatly admires business leaders who elevate entire communities while pursuing their commercial goals. He aspires to join the ranks of engineering entrepreneurs delivering innovations that transform our world. Thomas believes that electrical engineering offers some of the best solutions to help tackle climate change. He is particularly interested in projects that aim to improve the reliability of renewable energy sources. After completing his Bachelor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Hons) Thomas hopes to work on developing large-scale energy storage batteries that improve the reliability of solar and wind energy. He envisions these being used across the Hunter to help build a greener community.

Natasha Hawkshaw

Central Coast, NSW

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)

The drive to make the most of every opportunity has followed Natasha throughout her life. Growing up on the Central Coast, sport was a great teacher, delivering valuable lessons about the power of teamwork, commitment and resilience. As a school leader, Natasha sought ways to stand up for important issues. She is particularly passionate about the environment and believes we all have the power to effect positive change through our everyday actions. Natasha is studying a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy and hopes to share her positive outlook on life while helping people of all abilities to overcome their challenges and thrive.

Natalia Hogan

Newcastle, NSW

Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)

Natalia’s story is one of hope and resilience. Her childhood was marked by significant challenges, including periods in foster care and refuges. Experiences that led her to believe that she might never have the chance to break the cycle and live a better life. In pursuing her Bachelor of Physiotherapy, Natalia is living proof that it is possible to choose a positive path and break the cycle of adversity with the right support. From running marathons to raise funds to speaking publicly at various events, Natalia’s profound gratitude for the work of the Samaritans sees her share her story to help others. She is passionate about raising the public’s awareness of youth homelessness and the crucial role organisations like the Samaritans play in supporting people to turn their lives around.

Matthew Holford

Central Coast, NSW

Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

Matthew believes that cultural respect is the key to bringing about positive change in our world. As an Indigenous student ambassador, he strives to create a campus environment that welcomes different perspectives. He also volunteers at homelessness organisation Coast Shelter to create more spaces of belonging within the community. Through his studies in law and business, Matthew hopes to contribute to a positive future where corporations listen to community perspectives and are more accountable to environmental impacts. He sees himself negotiating to preserve natural resources and safeguard the welfare of communities. Matthew is learning Mandarin and is looking forward to immersing himself in different cultures as part of the Ma & Morley experience.

Olivia Howard

Dungog Shire, NSW

Bachelor of Psychological Science

Olivia believes that education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world. These words from Nelson Mandela, along with her lived experience has inspired Olivia to become a clinical psychologist. She hopes that by helping people with their individual challenges she can contribute to larger positive impacts for the world. After completing her Bachelor of Psychological Science, Olivia plans to undertake further studies in clinical psychology before establishing her own practice. She intends to prioritise mental health care services that embrace culturally diverse, gender and sexually inclusive therapies that are accessible regardless of socio-economic circumstance. She also hopes to facilitate training in Indigenous and culturally diverse psychology and offer innovative models for other practitioners to follow.

Angelina Joshua

Arnhem Land, NT

Bachelor of Arts

Language is a source of pride and identity for Angelina who grew up in the remote Ngukurr community in the Northern Territory. She is passionate about helping Aboriginal people take control of their languages and decision making. In 2017 she worked with SBS to make an animated documentary teaching people how to speak her grandmother’s language of Mara. More recently, Angelina has studied Yolngu Matha as part of her Diploma of Languages. Through her Bachelor of Arts (Linguistics), Angelina hopes to gain further skills to support her community to learn how to read and write in their traditional languages. She believes this will empower more Indigenous people to contribute to revitalising language in the future.

Holly Kennedy

Port Stephens, NSW

Bachelor of Nutrition & Dietetics (Honours)

Cooking with home grown, native and local ingredients is Holly’s passion. Her interest in nutrition and dietetics was sparked after health challenges led her to seek support from a dietitian. After completing her Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics, she intends to set an online clinic to overcome the geographical barriers that make it more difficult for people from rural and remote communities to access support. She also aspires to share tips about sustainable cooking, including ways to reduce food waste and the impacts of different farming methods, through her social media platforms. By helping as many people as possible she hopes to pay forward the support she received that ignited her purpose in life.

Zoe Khan

Port Stephens, NSW

Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)

Zoe is a proud Kamilaroi woman from Tamworth who has lived on Awabakal and Worimi country for many years. While she hasn’t always been sure of her path, she always knew helping people would be part of her future, inspired by the kindness and community spirit shown by her mum. More recently, Zoe has discovered her passion for supporting and mentoring Indigenous students to break down barriers and pave their own way to better health, education and employment outcomes. After completing her Bachelor of Social Work, she hopes to continue working with community organisations to create pathways and services to help more young Aboriginal people flourish.

Emmanuela Luka

Lake Macquarie, NSW

Bachelor of Arts

Visiting her home country for the first time in 2010 inspired Emmanuela to fight for change. Even through her eight year old eyes, the dire situation facing children, particularly girls, in South Sudan was clear. She is now realising her childhood dream of becoming an advocate and defender of human rights by studying a Bachelor of Arts (Politics and International Relations). Emmanuela was an active school and community leader growing up in Wagga Wagga and Newcastle. She still makes time to volunteer with community organisations, helping other young people in her community achieve their education goals. She hopes to motive other first generation African girls to dare to dream big and use literacy programs to foster a more equitable world.

Hallie Munro

Tamworth, NSW

Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours)

Hallie sees every person as a star deserving of respect. Going out of her way to help others is the norm for Hallie who believes humanity’s true potential lies in our capacity to uplift and support each other. Her decision to pursue a Bachelor of Speech Pathology reflects her desire to create communities that promote understanding, empathy and inclusion. As a proud Anaiwan and Gamilaroi woman, she is motivated to contribute to better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Her goal is to design culturally sensitive programs that cater specifically to the needs of Indigenous people and deliver supportive and inclusive services to communities in rural and remote areas.

Ivana Pedruco Aniceto

Lake Macquarie, NSW

Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

Great leaders who fight for justice have inspired Ivana since childhood. Reading their stories, her own commitment to equality and equity came to life. As a student leader, she worked hard to create positive change in her community while juggling the demands of being a carer for a family member. Ivana believes every person is entitled to fair and just legal representation, values she intends to uphold through her study placements at the Newcastle Legal Centre and in her future legal career. Ivana is studying a Bachelor of Criminology / Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and her ultimate goal is to set up a pro bono clinic to further combat systemic injustice. She is looking forward to sharing ideas about equity and justice as a Ma & Morley Scholar.

Carley Pringle

Central Coast, NSW

Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Psychological Science

Carley’s mission is to support young people with their mental health. Her goal is to create systems and programs that prioritise support and compassion. In doing so she hopes to counter some of the societal pressures impacting young people’s wellbeing and turn the tide on issues including youth suicide. After completing the Yapug program, Carley is combining a Bachelor of Psychology/Bachelor of Criminology to gain a deeper understanding of the underlying factors that contribute to criminal behaviour and the complexities surrounding mental health. She hopes to use this knowledge to develop effective interventions and rehabilitation programs that help young people to get the support they need.

Rebekah Salib

Sydney, NSW

Bachelor of Medical Science

As a child of migrants, Rebekah understands the trials and aspirations of individuals seeking a better life. This experience has inspired her to contribute where she can create a more inclusive society. From tutoring children from low socioeconomic backgrounds to volunteering alongside the Ngurra Jirrama Foundation to provide education for Indigenous girls in rural Ti-Tree, she encourages young people to break cycles of inequality by pursuing their education. While serving as a volunteer with COCOS and Street Side Medics bringing mobile medical care to Sydney’s homeless, she saw firsthand the substantial gap in healthcare accessibility in Australia. Through her medical training she hopes to prioritise care for underserved communities and advance healthcare accessibility for Indigenous and refugee populations.

Amelia Samson

Newcastle, NSW

Bachelor of Social Science

Growing up surrounded by powerful women has shaped the person Amelia is today. Their influence, and the values of a progressive school community that championed diversity and the arts, have fuelled Amelia’s passion to create spaces where every person feels respected and safe. Working with Newcastle based creative organisation, The Y, Amelia runs all-ages gigs where promoting respect is always part of the bill. She also loves creating music with her political grunge band, Boycott. Amelia believes that overhauling the relationships and sexuality education in schools to include concepts of gendered respect and consent at an early age would help change the narrative around gender equity. She hopes to use her degree to go into policy writing or research, working to create positive change.

Jorja Schofield

Port Macquarie, NSW

Bachelor of Biomedical Science

Learning to accept her differences was a turning point for Jorja. As a young woman with ASD and dyslexia, she finds that being open and confident about herself is the best way to encourage and support others to do the same. Since her early teens she has constantly pushed to create more inclusive spaces within her community. This included setting up a youth council in her area and establishing a group to encourage more girls at her school to pursue their passion for STEM. After completing her Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Jorja hopes to complete her PhD and make a positive impact in the fields of neurology or genetic engineering. She also hopes to continue advocating for inclusivity, particularly around how invisible disabilities are perceived, and encouraging greater participation of girls in STEM.

Evie Smith

Central Coast, NSW

Bachelor of Renewable Energy Engineering (Honours)

Evie is pursuing a career in renewable energy engineering. The seed was planted in childhood, watching David Attenborough documentaries and marvelling at the beauty and uniqueness of the Earth’s ecosystems. Going on regular trips with her family to visit her traditional lands further cemented her chosen path. The push to help economies shift away from coal and accelerate the renewable energy revolution now motivates Evie to make a difference. She is also highly aware that just 0.5% of engineering students are of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent. Being able to bring Indigenous perspectives and knowledge into future projects, particularly those that impact First Nations lands and communities, is important to Evie as she strives to make a difference within our warming world.

Jonah Sowmi

Sydney, NSW

Bachelor of Medical Science

Jonah believes we all have a responsibility to help others, regardless of race, gender, religion or economic status. He aims to live these humanitarian values by serving as a doctor in disadvantaged and war-torn areas across the globe. A highly motivated student, Jonah’s dedication in high school paved the way for his acceptance into the Joint Medical Program. As a future doctor, Jonah hopes to work with Doctors without Borders to deliver specialised humanitarian medical care within conflict zones. He is looking forward to immersing himself in different cultures and developing his leadership qualities as part of the Ma & Morley Scholarship Program.

Marissa Stanley

Wellington, NSW

Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood/Primary)

Proud Wiradjuri woman Marissa is motivated to give back to her community. Growing up in the small town of Wellington as part of a large family and Aboriginal community allowed her to experience the rich history and powerful kinship connections of her people. After deferring her studies to work in childcare and earn enough money to support herself away from home, Marissa is proud to be the first in her family to attend university. After completing her Bachelor of Education (Primary), she hopes to return to her community as a teacher to inspire young people to pursue their academic dreams. As a Ma & Morley Scholar, she hopes to extend her leadership knowledge to enable her to create support systems to help Aboriginal people to succeed.

Tessa Wylie

Newcastle, NSW

Bachelor of Psychological Science

Tessa is committed to giving children a voice. Their interest in child psychology was fuelled by their own experiences with mental health. With help from a supportive clinician and caring friends, Tessa found direction and purpose while attending Big Picture Education in Cooks Hill, an innovative secondary school focused on self-directed learning. An internship at the University of Newcastle cemented their goals and, after completing Open Foundation in addition to Year 10, Tessa is now studying a Bachelor of Psychological Science. Tessa’s commitment and perseverance are testament to their big aspirations to improve outcomes for children’s mental health. They hope to use the Ma & Morley experience to expand their network and leadership skills to help more kids feel seen, heard and valued.