Student and Ambassador Achievements

The Ma & Morley Scholars earn their place in the Program by demonstrating their commitment to the values of the Program. They are dedicated to taking an active role in improving the world around them and consciously progressing their competency as global leaders. Here are just some of the outstanding actions and achievements of the Ma & Morley Scholars outside of the Program in 2023.

• Lucas Dowling (2022 Scholar) was Student Member on the University of Newcastle Council for a third one-year term, President of the University of Newcastle Law Students’ Association for the 2023 academic year, sat on the NUSport Board, was awarded the Student Excellence Award by the University of Newcastle Students’ Association, competed in the Australian Law Students’ Association National Negotiation Competition, attended the Australian Law Students’ Association AGM, gave the closing address at the final 2023 graduation ceremony on behalf of students and spoke at the Australian Embassy in Beijing on behalf of the students on the 2023 China Immersion.
• Tatjana Reid (2021 Scholar) undertook a New Colombo Plan Scholarship to Japan, Singapore and New Caledonia, including an internship with Yokohama Theatre Group and Japan Dance School in Japan and a law internship in New Caledonia. Tatjana hopes her passion for dance and the way performing arts connects people from any cultural background, along with her legal studies, will allow her to advocate for social justice.
• Caitlin Ping (2022 Scholar) spoke at the Vice-Chancellor’s 2023 Student Welcome and Commencement event, sharing her journey to and through university, assuring students they belong and encouraging them to build support networks. Caitlin also participated in the Out of the Shadows 9km walk to raise funds to prevent suicide and save lives.
• Jacob Carson (2021 Scholar) was elected Vice President (Finance) within the University of Newcastle Law Students’ Association, working with the team to reset strong governance for the Association. He also organised and was MC for the Association’s first Law & Religion Panel, was a PASS leader and peer tutor for Constitutional Law, achieved first in Contracts 1 and completed an aid trip in Vanuatu building a chicken farm for a remote community, largely funded by the Helen Handbury Leadership Award (awarded in 2020).
• Mitch Whaley (2021 Scholar) travelled to Indonesia to attend a seminar on Economic Development and regional cooperation at Universitas Airlangga. He also travelled back to Borneo with Professor Tim Roberts as part of the New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant to visit a proboscis monkey rescue centre in Banjarmasin and experience first-hand the impact of global conservation efforts. Mitch also attended the Looking Ahead Speak Series, In Conversation with Professor the Honourable Gareth Evans AC KC, speaking about Australia’s Regional Security: Keeping Our Balance. Mitch joined a small meet and greet session with Gareth Evans, where he could share his passion for Indonesia and desire to forge a career focussing on their economic development, the building of the new capital city and the impact this will have on the culture and environment in Kalimantan.
• Kate Lloyd (2020 Scholar) and Sarah Welfare (2020 Scholar) travelled to Cambodia with the Newcastle Law School on a New Colombo Program grant, connecting with ADHOC Cambodia,Cambodian Centre for Mediation, Children in Families Cambodia and RULE University. Their focus was increasing awareness of domestic violence as a crime in Cambodia and participating in activism against gender-based violence.
• Jasmine Stuart (2019 Scholar) was instrumental in coordinating Rising Tide’s People’s Blockade of Newcastle port in November over four days. This event encouraged positive action for a safe climate future in one of the largest peaceful civil disobedience protests for climate action in Australia’s history. Jasmine also spoke at the Hunter Peace Group’s Hiroshima Day event, highlighting the cost and impact of AUKUS at the invitation of Judy Morley.
• Razia Akram (2020 Scholar) and Berkdeniz Cavusoglu (2023 Scholar) featured on Episode 9 of “The Minds Changing Lives Podcast”, exploring students from refugee backgrounds and research helping educators a toolkit to create spaces of wellbeing and belonging.
• Jarrod McEwen-Young (2022 Scholar) played for the Australian Men’s Deaf Basketball team in the World Deaf Basketball Championships in Crete in June. Hear more about his journey here.
• Paycee Cubby (2022 Scholar) and Tanisha Holt (2020 Scholar) were the MCs at the 2023 Reconciliation Ball, where Kieran Cubby (2019 Scholar) spoke on behalf of the students and Renae Lamb (2019 Scholar) was the Artist in Residence.
• Aleisha Bailey (2020 Scholar) was elected the Vice President (Indigenous Students) for the University of Newcastle Law Students’ Association, Lauren Judge (2021 Scholar) was Vice President (Social Events) and Maddison Battese (2021 Scholar) was Vice President (Sponsorship).
• Keely Dunning (2022 Scholar) and Emma Dubos (2022 Scholar) attended the Hunter Women’s’ International Women’s Day March in Newcastle with Judy Morley.

Ambassadors

• Jasmin L’Green hosted the Ambassador Event, History is Calling, was the Ambassador Representative on the Ma & Morley Advisory Committee, was a member of the Triennial Review panel and commenced her legal career with Clifford Chance in Sydney.
• Olivia Carroll beat 11 other researchers to win the 2023 Australian FameLab competition, catapulting her into the International Final as part of Cheltenham Festival, a world leading science and communication competition which discovers, trains and promotes the best new voices in science, technology and engineering. Olivia was MC at the University of Newcastle’s Gifting Day and spoke on behalf of Ambassadors at the Gala.
• Jarrod Sansom submitted his thesis for Doctor of Philosophy (Communication and Media), completing his higher degree research scholarship from the Australian Government, presented research at the Australian and New Zealand Communication Association (ANZCA) Conference, worked full time as a Community Engagement Specialist for City of Newcastle (Newcastle City Council), worked casually as a Community Liaison Officer for The Australian National University,  had a lead role in a national cricket commercial, was a University nationals bronze medallist (400m Hurdles), was the NSW Country champion and record holder (400m Hurdles) and winner of the inaugural Newcastle Gift race.
• Anna Popowicz commenced her role as Team Leader with the University of Newcastle Science and Engineering Challenge enabling school students to experience aspects of science and engineering which they would not usually see in their school environment. The aim is to inspire students to consider a future career in science and engineering.
• Kishaya Delaney was a guest on both Ambassador Event panels (Amplify Your Leadership Journey and History is Calling), an Uluru Youth Dialogue Ambassador and was featured in the QANTAS magazine with Professor Megan Davis discussing their work on the Public Interest Advocacy Centre’s Towards Truth Project.
• Toby McIntyre graduated with a Bachelor of Business majoring in Leadership & Management and Innovation a & Entrepreneurship and joined KPMG Australia as a Graduate Consultant in the Accelerating Business Growth Team.
• Peter Lin is working as a Junior Medical Officer in Orange with the Western NSW Local Health District.