2010 News, Highlights and Events Archive
Inaugural Indigenous Alumni Award Recipient
Dr Jaquelyne Hughes
PhD Student, Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin
Bachelor of Medicine, 2000
Faculty of Health
Dr Hughes received this award in recognition of her excellence and contribution to the Indigenous community through her research into Aboriginal health.
Dr Hughes completed a Bachelor of Medicine in 1999, and was awarded the Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP) in 2007. She is now undertaking PhD studies, titled The relationship of obesity, insulin resistance and inflammation in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with diabetes mellitus and renal impairment.
She believes the preliminary findings of her research are of great clinical relevance to both clinicians and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and may be life-saving for many within the Indigenous community.
The University of Newcastle Medicine program can be very proud for its contribution to shaping the Australian Health and leadership workforce. Dr Hughes was honoured to accept this award.
For further information regarding the Kunarr Indigenous Alumni Chapter please contact Lillian.Eastwood@newcastle.edu.au
15th National Indigenous Tertiary Education Student Games
The Wollotuka Institute hosted the games this year on 13th - 16th September. 16 Teams were represented from New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia with the University of Newcastle's Wollotuka team coming in at overall 2nd place after winning the soccer and touch football grandfinals. The Indigenous team from Melbourne University took out first place, therefore, hosting the games in 2012. The Games were first held at Wollotuka, the University of Newcastle in 1996 as a joint class project and since has been hosted by universities across Australia, growing to have over 250 participants. The Games strive to celebrate and promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, unity, health, fitness, wellbeing and self-determination, initiate new communication networks and reinforce identity through positive role models.
Reconciliation Scholarship Dinner Dance
The aim of the event is to raise funds for the establishment of a lifelong perpetual Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Scholarship Fund at the University. We hope you will take this opportunity to help make reconciliation a reality, and a lasting academic gift. All profits to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scholarship Fund.
Date: Friday 28th May 2010 Time: 6:30pm till 11:30pm Venue: Concert Room, Newcastle Town Hall, 290 King Street Dress: Semi Formal RSVP: Friday 21 May 2010Making Her Mark
For Markeeta Marr, listing her highest education level as Year 9 regularly reminded the young mother she was capable of achieving much more. Now studying medicine, Markeeta is proud of where she's headed - and grateful to the Yapug Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander enabling program that has helped her on her way.
Designed to prepare Indigenous people for university, Yapug saw Markeeta gain the academic skills and self-discipline she needed to successfully qualify for a Bachelor of Medicine degree (Joint Medical Program) at the University of Newcastle. While tertiary study was always her dream, two children and one on the way left Markeeta unconvinced motherhood and medicine could coincide. Yet the support of the University's Wollotuka Institute - the Indigenous education provider behind Yapug - saw her manage both.
"The sort of environment they have there at Wollotuka, it's like a second home", says the now mother of three. "They have so many mature age students and they understand that first and foremost, I'm a mum".
And while her limited early education has made university study challenging, Markeeta's clear it's certainly still achievable. "You don't need to be from an educated family to go to uni. I am the first one in my family to go", she points out. "It's not easy, but I'm 100% committed."
Two outstanding art exhibitions will be held at the Watt Space Gallery, Cnr King and Auckland Streets, Newcastle from 7-25 April 2010 with the official opening on Thursday 8 April 2010 6:30pm to 8:30pm.
Mixed Messages is a group show representing Indigenous art students (Camellia Boney, Kristie Butler, Elle Hanson, Vivian Lindsay, Casey Wright) from The Wollotuka Institute and the Bachelor of Fine Art program at the University of Newcastle. This is their first year of study as they grapple with issues of identity, censorship and their sense of place.
Belangee Skin-songlines - This is an exhibition by Liz Cameron (Belangee being Liz's skin name) who works at The Wollotuka Institute, University of Newcastle as Portfolio Leader and Aboriginal Counsellor and is passionate about improving educational and health outcomes for Indigenous people. Liz is currently studying her Masters in Indigenous Philosophy.
Skin relates to the often complex dimensions in relationships and connections with life. The connections and relationships between humans, animals and earth are entwined as one, creating song lines relating to past and present. Skin is about Aboriginal lore and traditional knowledge, providing us with purpose, understanding and identity. When we open our eyes we see earth, sea and animals as one pattern, one dimension and one rhythmical form.
Galley is open Wednesday to Sunday 12 noon - 6pm Gallery - 02 49218733