Initiatives
Key initiatives
Meaningful engagement in our regions
We seek to co-develop initiatives to grow the economic potential of our regions. Drawing from the wisdom of knowledge traditions will give us the best chance to achieve the best results for everyone in our communities. Through the inclusion of Indigenous knowledge, we will champion multidisciplinary research and collaboration to find solutions that benefit our community.
Reconciliation
The 60,000 years of Australia’s First Peoples cultures are the foundation to our identity as an Australian university. Reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians is everyone’s responsibility and benefits all. We will provide an environment that is free from racism and discrimination, and embrace a united approach to equality and inclusiveness.
Our practices will be consistent with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the State of Reconciliation in Australia Report. We are especially mindful of the impact we can have in terms of institutional integrity as a leading voice for reconciliation in our regions.
Progress
Central Coast twins tackle university to support local mob
Juggling work, study and sport could be challenging for Wiradjuri/Gomeroi twins, Bailey and Leigtham, but there is a clear mission that drives them forward.
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University recognised at AFR Higher Education Awards
University of Newcastle’s researcher Professor Matt Dun and the Wollotuka Institute were recognised at last night's Australian Financial Review Higher Education Awards, which highlight the contribution that the Higher Education sector makes to Australian life.
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Commonwealth Supported Place postgrad initiative empowers Kieran to pursue surgical dreams
Kieran Cubby, a proud Wiradjuri/Murrawarri man from Dubbo, is on a determined path to becoming an orthopaedic surgeon – a dream that once seemed out of reach.
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Team Wollotuka named back-to-back national champions
The University of Newcastle has been announced as the 2025 Indigenous Nationals winner for the second year in a row, after a group of talented students retained the trophy at the annual university sport games.
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Ngarrama returns to shine light on reconciliation
The night of reflection invites people to consider traditional life before 1788. It brings local community together to connect to Country and reflect and share in cultural knowledge. Traditional dance, music and storytelling celebrated the rich culture of the Awabakal and Worimi people, the traditional owners of the land upon which Newcastle now stands.
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Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to succeed
Growing up in Dubbo, Makaah Darcy dreamed of studying law at the University of Newcastle. As the proud recipient of the Claudia Sloan Scholarship for Indigenous Students, Makaah says believing in herself and receiving support from the scholarship turned her dream into reality.
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The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.