2019 Scholars

Lake Macquarie NSW
Bachelor of Environmental Science & Management
Enabling Pathway: Open Foundation

Sophie believes that in order to care about something, you must first know that it exists. Driven by a passion for protecting the natural world forged by experiences in her childhood, she hopes to encourage others to engage with their surroundings and discover deeper connections with nature and the environment through education and lived experiences. She believes that inspiration can come with the simplest of interactions and that these interactions allow for a greater understanding of the interconnected nature of all life on earth. With the threat of climate change and rampant habitat destruction having global scale impacts, Sophie hopes to support others in dissolving the perceived barriers between humans and the natural world as a means to ensure its protection. Since receiving the Ma & Morley scholarship in 2019, Sophie has pursued this goal through international travel with the University of Newcastle through the New Columbo Plan and extensive volunteer work with bush regeneration, PhD projects, Landcare & NUSEC.

Sunshine Coast QLD
Bachelor Medical Engineering (Honours)

As a Medical Engineering student, Annie has a strong desire to improve the lives of disadvantaged and vulnerable people. She has a deeply empathetic character which has guided her to follow a path of community action; particularly focusing on social and environmental injustices. At home on the Sunshine Coast, Annie has led projects to aid terminally ill and disabled people in the region, as well as more recently becoming involved with her local homeless community. Annie aspires to use her degree to become an engineer who specialises in the design of prosthetics and physical therapy devices for those with a physical disability, accident survivors and war veterans. With a strong passion for science and mathematics, Annie is proud to be a young woman in STEM and she hopes to cultivate change in industry by promoting a wider representation of engineers to young people.

Mid North Coast NSW
Bachelor of Education (Secondary)

Gabrielle believes strongly in the power of education to enact positive societal change. As a future educator herself, Gabrielle is passionate about supporting vulnerable students by meeting their emotional and physical needs. A long-term goal of Gabrielle’s is to teach within rural and Indigenous communities where she can make a positive difference by addressing the educational disadvantage experienced by some students, particularly those from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Gabrielle’s aspirations have been reaffirmed by several experiences, including taking part in the UBS Young Women’s Leadership Academy in 2017 where she was able to further refine her leadership skills. In 2018, Gabrielle was selected to represent the Myall Lakes region at the YMCA’s Youth Parliament Program. This opportunity further inspired Gabrielle to focus her efforts on advocating for mental health support for young people. In order to implement this future change within the education system, Gabrielle has undertaken a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) majoring in English.

Lake Macquarie NSW
Bachelor of Science
Enabling Pathway: Open Foundation

Amy believes that a healthy environment is crucial for all lives, human and otherwise. While she had always been interested in nature, raising her two children renewed her sense of wonder and curiosity. Her interest in gardening led to research into native bees, and she now has three stingless beehives and will happily discuss bees with anyone who will listen. Amy is interested in ecology and conservation, with a particular interest in entomology. She completed Open Foundation courses in environmental studies and chemistry in 2018 and is now enrolled in a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Biodiversity & Conservation and Environmental & Analytical Chemistry. She believes that good leadership seeks to improve the world for everyone, rather than a select few. She is looking forward to making her own contributions to science, and to changing the world for the better.

Sydney NSW
Bachelor of Communication

Caring about issues is one thing – inspiring action is quite another. Jacqui learnt the difference as a leader tasked with motivating her school community around environmental sustainability issues. Using her talents in digital production, she created videos to raise awareness and incite change among her peers. As a result, her video about youth attitudes towards plastic pollution in the ocean ended up being shared with the United Nations at the 2017 Greenpeace Summit. Jacqui is passionate about gender equality, using her skills to create advocacy advertising that raised record-breaking funds to provide education for girls in South Sudan. Currently studying a Bachelor of Communication, she hopes to contribute to global and intergenerational equality among people and the environment.

Lake Macquarie NSW
Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)

Jaida believes empathy and compassion are essential for effective healthcare. Inspired by the doctors who cared for her mother, she saw firsthand how they helped improve her mother’s life. It was this experience that motivated Jaida to explore an area of health she was passionate about – deciding on a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours). Persevering through difficult times growing up, Jaida learned compassion and understanding and gained satisfaction from helping others. Now, she hopes to use these same qualities to provide medical care to people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds – focusing on providing easier access to healthcare and health education.

Mid North Coast NSW
Bachelor of Arts

Samantha is a poet and novelist. Currently, she resides in Newcastle but grew up in small-town New South Wales. She is passionate about stories and the power of words to change the world. Stories help us discover who we are and who we will become, as well as telling us about the world around us. In a world full of limits, stories are limitless. Born with a radial limb difference, Samantha strives to inspire others to be fully themselves. She believes that through her learning and education, she can create positive change which will not only benefit today’s global community but future generations as well. A lifelong reader and lover of words, Samantha is currently studying a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in English and Creative Writing. Samantha one day hopes to share her stories and encourage others to share their own stories too.

Mid North Coast NSW
Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) / Diploma in Languages

Clare believes in the potential of education and respectful discussion to facilitate justice, elicit compassion and spark change. Throughout high school, Clare embodied this thinking – leading initiatives to raise awareness around human rights issues such as human trafficking and domestic violence. Being able to contribute to and shape discussion on these topics strengthened Clare’s faith in the role of education in combating oppression. Through her study of speech pathology, Mandarin and Auslan, Clare hopes to use her career to help other people find their own voice; she aspires to work closely with rural and regional communities, where such health services are often unavailable or difficult to access.

Killarney Vale, Central Coast NSW
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)

Sarah believes that leadership involves small acts of change that have a ripple effect beyond just the individual. During her school years, Sarah dedicated several hours a week volunteering for children’s programs in her local community. Through this, she was able to see the positive impact a safe and secure space has for all children in particular those experiencing social disadvantage. Also working as a gymnastics coach for children with physical and learning disabilities – Sarah is inspiring kids to unlock their potential no matter their abilities or circumstances and is instilling a can-do approach to tackling obstacles and new experiences. Sarah hopes to use the skills and knowledge she learns throughout her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) degree to increase her ability to promote physical change and accessibility for those who are physically disadvantaged. She believes every interaction between people can be a positive opportunity for change and seeks to encourage others to grow in confidence, self-worth, and strength of character and to find their own voice for positive change.

Hunter NSW
Bachelor of Environmental Science & Management

Georgina believes that living sustainably should be accessible to all. As an Environmental Science and Management student concerned with the connection between poverty, health and environmental health she hopes to develop and implement practical, affordable solutions to fostering mutually beneficial relationships between nature and those most disproportionately affected by global issues such as pollution, degradation and climate change. So far, her journey with the Ma & Morley scholarship program has allowed her to forge relationships with Polynesian and Asian communities while continuing local volunteer work in order to contribute to a safer, more equitable world.

Mid North Coast NSW
Bachelor of Biomedical Science

Throughout her life, Tara has always dreamed about changing the world. Now, these dreams centre on getting to the heart of the issues and improving health outcomes and healthcare for all, among other passions beyond health. She lets her actions speak for her passions. Tara is a committee member of the University’s global health group, and has created national campaigns for young people on development issues through her work on World Vision’s Youth Advocacy Squad. She was also on the Youth Advisory Panel for Australia’s largest youth climate report, analysing data and editing the report to be delivered to Australian leaders. Tara believes that when people are in good health, they can better their lives, and when they better their lives, they can better the world. Looking ahead, she plans to address global health issues, development and justice through research, advocacy and working on health systems, policy, and public health programs.

Mid North Coast NSW
Bachelor of Medical Science

As a young Aboriginal woman, Mia believes it’s important for Indigenous Australians to speak loudly and proudly about their heritage. When she was just 16 years old, Mia got the chance to do this on a global stage through a year-long Rotary Youth Exchange to France. As an ambassador for Australia she was able to share her Aboriginal culture with students from all around the world and formed deep relationships built from shared passions and a desire to change the world. The experience had a profound impact on Mia and challenged her to look at the world through a different lens. Currently studying a Bachelor of Medical Science, Mia’s goal is to pursue a career in the medical field and ultimately help make the world a more peaceful, equitable and environmentally sustainable place. She also hopes to inspire other Indigenous students to fulfil their dreams, just as she has.

Central Coast NSW
Bachelor of Medical Science
Enabling Pathway: Yapug

A proud Wiradjuri/Wannarua man, James’ path to university has not been an easy one. Growing up, he faced numerous hardships including homelessness, poverty and domestic violence. A nomadic childhood saw him change schools many times which effected his education and confidence and led to him dropping out after year 10. Despite these challenges, James was determined to better his future. He worked his way up in the construction industry, becoming a role model in his community and decided to enrol in the Yapug enabling program as a pathway to higher education. Now studying a Bachelor of Medical Science, James plans to use his insight into the unique problems facing Indigenous communities to advocate for change on issues beyond just healthcare.

Sydney NSW
Bachelor of Global Indigenous Studies
Enabling Pathway: Yapug

Donna has spent a lifetime giving back – as a mother, foster carer, volunteer, coach and community leader. She’s raised seven children, including her sister’s four special needs children, and provided unwavering support to her school and local community. Her contribution has been far reaching, working with the Red Cross as a volunteer in disaster relief teams and as a volunteer suicide intervention telephone counsellor for Lifeline amongst other things. Donna’s lifelong commitment to helping vulnerable people has given her the drive to pursue her dream of further studies. She hopes to follow her Bachelor of Global Indigenous Studies with a Master of Education before travelling to Central Australia to teach in the local community. Her ultimate goal is to explore the world teaching English in developing countries.

Mid North Coast NSW
Bachelor of Business/ Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

For Paul, respect for culture is a key quality of modern leadership. A desire to honour his Birpai heritage, and passion to create positive change, motivates his outlook on life and learning. Paul has regularly demonstrated his ability to lead – within both his Indigenous community and school community. He has used his experience as a pastoral care leader at high school and community event volunteer to connect with people from all walks of life and build cultural sensitivity and respect. Paul has carried this ethos through to his university life, connecting with peers and finding equally open-minded individuals. Currently in his second year of a combined Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree, Paul is committed to putting his learnings and experiences as a Ma & Morley scholar into practice. In doing so, Paul hopes to make a tangible difference in his community.

Maitland NSW
Bachelor of Psychological Science

Marli is a proud Dunghutti women from Kempsey committed to closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people and hopes to find new ways to do this through her Bachelor of Psychological Science. From an early age, Marli has been recognised as a leader among her peers. She has worked hard to influence attitudes around the importance of reconciliation and recognition of Aboriginal people and given back to other causes important to her, like fundraising for Alzheimer’s disease. According to Marli, her contributions are small building blocks that help to address much broader global issues. As a young Aboriginal person, she believes that breaking down racial and social barriers at a local level can and will contribute to a change on a global scale.

Central Coast NSW

Bachelor of Aboriginal Professional Practice/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Diploma in Practical Legal Training

Elyssia is passionate about advocating for Indigenous rights and believes we need a community of people who are cross-culturally competent, culturally sensitive and culturally aware. Humanitarian action has been a focus of hers since 2018 and Elyssia has learnt the importance of listening to Indigenous voices on the path to becoming more educated. As the next generation tasked with building inclusive and harmonious societies, Elyssia believes in empowering young people to be effective and empathetic leaders. She received the 2019 Global Citizen of the Year Award from the University of Newcastle for donating her time to international volunteering on a global stage, including fulfilling her role as a Humanitarian Affairs Peace Ambassador to the United Nations, undertaking internships with international programs and working with the Executive Committee of numerous University clubs to encourage international and domestic student engagement and to promote equity and diversity on campus. As sustainability becomes a global priority, Elyssia hopes to commence her legal career in environmental law to protect the environment through legal avenues.

Lake Macquarie NSW
Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Diploma of Legal Practice

Tully is finding ways to connect innovation, sustainable development and access to justice on a global scale. As a global citizen, she believes in making meaningful connections and finding technology-driven solutions. She’s challenged herself throughout her degree, pitching innovative ideas to tackle complex issues – from sustainable infrastructure in Jakarta to artificial intelligence driven solutions in aged care. As a New Colombo Plan scholar, Tully completed a legal externship in the Cook Islands in 2018 working for the Ministry of Justice. She helped create policy and programs to make vital legal and aid services more accessible for local people.

Sydney NSW
Bachelor of Medical Science

For Peter, being a global citizen means standing up and taking action on issues that threaten our humanity. Since high school, Peter has been committed to serving his local community – organising charity days and volunteering as a driver’s assistant for patient transport. In 2016, he was recognised with an award from the Order of Australia Association NSW for his outstanding work in community service. Most recently, Peter has been taking a stand on issues affecting mental and public health, promoting messages of self-care and seeking help for those who may need it. And he is the current Advocacy Officer for WakeUp! – the University’s forum to promote global health issues. Looking to the future, he hopes to use his Bachelor of Medical Science and experience to enact meaningful and enduring change for the betterment of the global community and wants to inspire future generations to do the same.

Lake Macquarie NSW
Bachelor of Social Science / Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

For Olivia, her passion for international affairs is the driving force behind her career aspiration of working in the Sino-Australian space. As a combined Bachelor of Social Science/Bachelor of Laws (Honours) student, Olivia has actively worked to deepen cross-cultural relationships. During her time with the Global Office Speed Conversations program she helped international students improve their English. Through the University’s annual Model United National Conference, she collaborated with young people from Australia and abroad to promote a better understanding of global equality and justice. She has also worked with youth leaders in the Asia-Pacific to celebrate and preserve minority and indigenous cultures. She hopes that being part of the immersion program will deepen her understanding of challenges facing Australia and China so she can work to better the relationship for the benefit of both sides.

Port Stephens NSW
Bachelor of Communication (Honours)

Jarrod is a PhD (Communication and Media) student steadfast in helping to foster critical thinking among others. Jarrod’s research explores how social media use cultivates perceptions of ‘us against them’ among social groups. He hopes the findings will allow people to avoid the effects of echo-chambers and political polarisation. A former journalist with the ABC and Fairfax, Jarrod believes his responsibility as a communication and media scholar is to be an agent of change. He is particularly passionate about domestic violence prevention, regional advocacy and student mentoring. Jarrod pioneered the creation of an education program to prevent domestic violence in regional communities. He provided a voice for families living in areas contaminated by the Department of Defence. And recently, he started working as a sessional academic at The University of Newcastle, a community liaison officer at The Australian National University, and an electorate officer at Parliament of NSW. In 2020, Jarrod became the first Rhodes Scholarship finalist from The University of Newcastle.

Maitland NSW
Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Just three weeks into his degree, at age eighteen, Liam started his own surf brand – Eat Your Water. The brand’s mission is to promote environmental conservation, using the t-shirts as walking billboards of positivity. Today, Eat Your Water is one of the largest independent surf brands in Australia. Liam hopes that through his actions he can show others how small gestures can create a ripple effect of positivity. The Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship student wants to create a ripple effect in the wider community by sharing his knowledge and experience with other young people who are eager to start businesses. Through the experience as a Ma & Morley scholar, he hopes to grow in his capacity as a change leader and continue to encourage today’s youth to play an integral role in creating a sustainable future.

Newcastle NSW
Bachelor of Medical Science

Samuel prides himself on being of service to others and acting as a role model for peers and future generations. At school, he raised awareness and funds for social justice initiatives including Mission Australia’s SleepOut, United Nation’s Tolerance Day, 40 Hour Famine and helped raise funds for the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women’s Shelter and was recognised for his commitment to community service with various awards. While studying a Bachelor of Medical Science, Samuel has immersed himself with WakeUp! – the University’s forum to promote global health issues – where he advocates for social change on issues like refugee rights and concerns regarding offshore detention. As a Ma & Morley scholar, Samuel hopes to channel his passion for global health into creating tangible solutions for problems affecting the wider community.

Newcastle NSW
Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)
Enabling Pathway: Open Foundation

Danielle has always had a desire to enact social change and so after hearing a talk at an open day at University of Newcastle, she knew the Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) program was for her. ShapeA regular volunteer and activist, Danielle spends a lot of time patiently educating others on human rights and social justice issues. Currently working in mental health as a support facilitator, Danielle has seen the impact that systemic and structural disadvantage can have on vulnerable people. In particular this work highlights for Danielle the reality of intergenerational trauma and stigma faced by people with mental illness. Through both her work and her studies, Danielle’s passion for social justice and her desire to enact positive change continues to grow. After completing her degree, Danielle intends to pursue postgraduate study with aspirations to one day work for the United Nations