2025 Scholars

Malith Athauda

NEWCASTLE, NSW

Bachelor of Criminology /Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

Malith believes we are all responsible for supporting each other to reach our full potential. Growing up in Newcastle as a first-generation Australian of Sri Lankan heritage, Malith also has a profound appreciation for how diverse backgrounds can work together to create thriving communities. He embodies this commitment to equity, diversity and justice through his everyday actions. As school captain and student representative council wellbeing coordinator, Malith helped raise funds and awareness for important issues and disadvantaged groups in his community, all while mentoring junior students to overcome social and learning challenges. Driven by his passions, Malith has chosen to pursue a career in Law with the hope of establishing a pro-bono legal service for vulnerable groups.

Maikiira Barber

Central Coast, NSW

Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

Equity and justice are at the heart of Maikiira’s identity. As a proud Wiradjuri woman, her commitment to breaking down barriers for marginalised groups, particularly Indigenous Australians, has inspired her path towards advocacy. Maikiira is actively involved with the Central Coast Community Legal Centre where she supports vulnerable individuals to navigate the legal system. She is also committed to the Regional Youth Investment Program which supports young people to connect with community, culture and leadership. Constantly inspired by people who defy odds and work fiercely for the benefit of others, Maikiira plans to use her Bachelor of Laws and studies in Criminology to work to dismantle the structures that perpetuate inequity and injustice.

Kat Briggs

Central Coast, NSW

Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (Honours)

Volunteering with Kanwal-based charity Coast Hands opened Kat’s eyes to how poorly many children eat. The experience inspired her to enrol in a Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics and pursue a career in paediatric nutrition. Kat hopes to contribute to creating a future where every Australian child can access the food, nutritional education and support they need to grow up healthy. This includes advocating for the policy changes needed to address systemic inequalities facing disadvantaged families, including funding for meal programs in schools and access to affordable produce. In a world filled with inequality and injustice, Kat has made it her mission to respond with compassion and empathy. She looks forward to applying these values as a Ma & Morley Scholar.

Milika Bruvel-Jones

Tweed Shire, NSW

Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management

The world is a classroom for Milika. She believes living in diverse locations and experiencing different ways of life helped to shape her deeply curious nature. After leaving school, Milika embarked on a six-month journey across eight countries to immerse herself in different cultures. On returning to Australia, she spent time working with and learning from the Yolngu people in North-East Arnhem Land. These experiences affirmed her desire to be part of a movement that bridges cultural knowledge with modern scientific practices. She plans to use her experiences and studies in Environmental Science and Management to foster deeper integration of cultural knowledge in land conservation practices and advocate for Indigenous voices to be heard in environmental policy discussions.

Elly Cadet

Lake Macquarie, NSW

Bachelor of Psychological Science (Advanced)

Elly is passionate about creating change in the field of mental health, focusing on professions where emotional wellbeing can be overlooked. Her father’s experiences as a first responder have been critical in shaping her interest in this complex field, which she has explored through writing fiction. Her stories and in-depth studies have stimulated her interest in how communities approach trauma and healing. Following her studies in Psychology, Elly plans to specialise in trauma-informed care. Her goal is to develop community-based mental health programs that challenge the stigma that prevents people, especially first responders, from seeking support.

Tegan Clark

Lake Macquarie, NSW

Bachelor of Media and Communication

Sport has always played a huge role in Tegan’s life. Her involvement in grassroots sport – from swimming and athletics to her current sport of rugby league – taught her the power of community and the rewards of being surrounded by passionate players, parents and volunteers. Looking out for others has become second nature to Tegan who volunteers for various organisations helping people in vulnerable circumstances. With her Bachelor of Media and Communication, Tegan aspires to a career in investigative journalism. By giving a voice to those most affected, she hopes to help expose the real issues affecting Australians and facilitate dialogue that leads to policy change.

Harry Cornford

Newcastle, NSW

Bachelor of Psychological Science (Advanced)

Harry is a big believer in the saying ‘think globally, act locally’ and is most inspired by the people he sees changing lives on a daily basis. Role models are close at hand among his colleagues at Merewether High School, where Harry studied and now works as a School Learning Support Officer. A commitment to equalising education, giving all kids a fair go, underpins Harry’s plans for the future. He hopes to use his studies in Psychology and professional experience in supporting people experiencing disadvantage to influence policy and drive larger movements for change.

Sebastian Crick

Newcastle, NSW

Science/ Bachelor of Social Science

Creating equality for all people within our country is a burning passion for Sebastian. As a Dharawal man studying a double degree in Psychology and Social Science, his dream is to see Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people fairly represented and understood in the field of psychology. Indigenous psychologists are rare in Australia. Sebastian aspires to join the small cohort of Indigenous psychologists specialising in progressive, culturally appropriate treatment and psychotherapy for community. He hopes that by growing this field, he can contribute to a change in how Indigenous people's voices are represented and help lead towards a path to closing the gap and treaty.

Jack Dubos

Sydney, NSW

Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours)

Jack is optimistic about leading change in the IT industry. He has already taken positive steps towards creating purpose-driven advancements using technology – building a machine to transform single use plastic into reusable goods. Looking ahead, Jack hopes to influence the direction of global companies and facilitate a more widespread switch to focus on people and planet alongside financial gains. He is excited about pursuing innovations that prioritise transparency in supply chains, support workers’ rights and minimise environmental harms and believes small steps with good intent can have terrific impact.

Shiwa Dul

Newcastle, NSW

Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science

Growing up across countries and cultures, Shiwa found belonging through football. Sharing the field with people from different backgrounds, speaking the universal language of sport, taught him there are many ways to use your voice. Shiwa intends to use his experiences and studies to help others access better health and social connection. Specifically, he hopes to work with refugees and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, helping them access the physical and mental health benefits of engaging with sport and fitness. As a refugee who has never stepped foot in his homeland, Shiwa is also driven to keep Tibetan history and culture alive. He looks forward to celebrating diversity and making new connections as a Ma & Morley Scholar.

Mereki Fenwick Hammond

Newcastle, NSW

Bachelor of Development Studies/ Bachelor of Global Indigenous Studies

As a Weilwan woman growing up on Awabakal land, Mereki’s life experiences directed her passion towards equity and justice. While completing a Certificate IV in Mental Health and Alcohol and Drugs, she volunteered in various roles to offer support for vulnerable people. This included helping people safely access their community and enjoy social interaction as a disability support worker. Through these experiences, Mereki has learned it is often the small acts that have the most profound effect on people’s lives. Her goal is to uplift and empower all marginalised members of our community to have their voices heard. She hopes to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and communities to work towards self-determinism and create tangible change.

Charlotte Fernando

Central Coast, NSW

Bachelor of Music and Performing Arts

Charlotte plans to use her platform as an artist to create the change she wants to see in the world. As a Kamilaroi woman, a member of the LGBTQ+ community and as someone navigating life with ADHD, Charlotte understands the importance of creating inclusive spaces and opportunities for all people to thrive. By weaving these themes into her art, she aims to amplify voices that often go unheard and foster a community that celebrates diversity, promotes understanding and works toward a more peaceful and equitable world. Charlotte also uses her work to share Aboriginal culture and traditions. By actively contributing to the recognition and appreciation of Aboriginal culture, she hopes to celebrate the diverse stories that shape who we are and help others succeed.

Kailee Good

lake Macquarie, NSW

Bachelor of Commerce/ Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

Kailee’s interest in issues of equity and justice developed during her school years. As a proud Aboriginal woman and member of the Ngaarr Dhuwi Girls Academy Program and Junior Aboriginal Education Consultative Group, she immersed herself in her culture and became a role model for her peers. Kailee is committed to improving ethics in business through her studies in Commerce and Law. She hopes to advocate for more businesses to improve their ethical work practices and be more transparent in the way they operate. She looks forward to making lasting connections and developing her leadership skills as a Ma & Morley Scholar.

Alex Goodsir

Newcastle, NSW

Bachelor of Social Science/ Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

Passionate climate activist Alex values being part of a network of like-minded people working together to lead positive change.  Alex grew up counting coal ships on the Newcastle horizon until their growing interest in environmental issues saw them emerge as a youth leader within the Mulooninba/Newcastle environmental movement. During this time, Alex earned recognition for their work to relaunch the local School Strike for Climate branch and found Rising Tide’s under 18s climate defence contingent, Youth Rising. Alex hopes to combine their experience in environmental community work with a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Social Science to further develop their ability to represent the concerns of others in the wider community.

Aryan Hampapur

Logan, QLD

Bachelor of Medical Science

Aryan aspires to improve access to healthcare for underserved populations. Growing up in the community of Logan, Brisbane, Aryan witnessed the determination of people striving to overcome many social challenges. It ignited his commitment to advocate for more equitable access to healthcare facilities, which includes education about healthcare. During his time in medical school, Aryan has prioritised learning about the unique healthcare challenges Indigenous communities face. He has also begun highlighting rural healthcare issues and sharing information through his blog. Aryan hopes to bring these skills back to his community in Logan to ensure people from all cultural backgrounds feel respected and understood.

Luke Hopkins

Newcastle, NSW

Bachelor of Arts

It was Luke’s lifelong love of learning that saw him turn to explore the world of humanities through a Bachelor of Arts after two decades of working as a qualified electrician. Majoring in English and Writing has enabled Luke to explore his interest in society, culture and politics, and look to a future where he can use his language skills to facilitate positive change. Luke is also fascinated by China – its politics, history and culture – and its evolving standing in our world. Visiting China as a New Columbo scholar allowed Luke to immerse himself in the language and culture, laying the foundations for his future plans to work between Australia and China as a cultural counsellor. He is excited to join the Ma & Morley Scholarship Program to continue his work fostering cultural respect.

Gemma Jain

Sydney, NSW

Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Honours) (Radiation Therapy)

Gemma believes growing up in New Zealand influenced her appreciation for different interpretations and beliefs in the natural systems in place. It gave her an appetite to share and learn about other people’s experiences. She plans to use her Radiation Therapy qualifications to improve access to culturally safe healthcare and reduce health disparities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This includes advocating for traditional healing methods within mainstream healthcare and collaborating with policy makers to expand Medicare funding for culturally tailored treatments. Additionally, Gemma hopes to address the underrepresentation of Indigenous healthcare professionals by supporting mentoring and scholarship programs that empower Indigenous students to pursue careers in health.

Kate Kennedy

Newcastle, NSW

Bachelor of Midwifery

After dedicating 12 years to photographing and supporting women through the life-changing experience of childbirth, Kate is returning to university after two decades to realise her dream of studying Midwifery. Inspired by the work of pioneering obstetrician Dr Catherine Hamlin, and driven to help the 1 in 3 Australian women who report feeling traumatised by their births, Kate is focused on reducing birth trauma through education. Kate views birth trauma as a gender-based systemic issue that affects everyone, with related post-partum depression, anxiety, PTSD weighing heavily on families. Kate also intends to break down the stigma associated with teenage pregnancy to ensure young mothers are better supported in their communities.

Jack Laurie

Hunter, NSW

Bachelor of Construction Management (Building) (Honours)

Proud Worimi Biripi man Jack spent time in many places growing up, making memories camping, exploring the bush, playing sport and learning about culture with local Indigenous kids. All the hours spent outdoors fuelled his profound connection to the land. He brought these lessons about resilience and being part of something bigger to his role as school leader at Hunter Valley Grammar where he spearheaded the development of their Reconciliation Action Plan as Aboriginal Education Consultative Group president. Jack looks forward to embracing and applying the Ma & Morley values of equity, justice and environmental sustainability as he moves forward with his studies and future career.

Niamh Pearce

Lake Macquarie, NSW

Bachelor of Development Studies / Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

Niamh’s abiding values around equity and justice have shaped her life. Her deep interest in advocating for human rights, environmental sustainability and biodiversity conservation have been shaped by personal experience. After bushfire destroyed her family’s farm in Nymboida, NSW, she experienced first-hand the impact of large-scale natural disasters on rural areas and the extremities of climate change. Since then, Niamh has invested time in learning how to restore and improve biodiversity in the land, including through Indigenous land management practices. She looks forward to expanding her worldview as a Ma & Morley Scholar and using her combined Bachelor of Development Studies/Bachelor of Laws to contribute to positive change in the world.

Jacinta Pike

Port Stephens, NSW

Bachelor of Education (Secondary)

Choosing to become a teacher was an easy decision for Jacinta. Teachers in her life have always supported her to achieve her goals, enabling her to persevere through challenging circumstances living in out of home care. In pursuing a Bachelor of Secondary Education, she is committed to helping young people facing their own challenges by creating learning environments where students feel understood, valued and empowered to grow. Jacinta hopes to inspire her future students to believe they are more than where they have come from, passing on the valuable lessons of friendship, empathy and resilience her upbringing instilled in her.

Jackson Purdy

Tamworth, NSW

Bachelor of Education (Primary)

Proud Worimi and Gamilaraay man Jackson is inspired to help communities similar to his own as a highly skilled teacher. Jackson’s early life in Tamworth, surrounded by foster siblings, taught him the importance of generosity and giving back. He is motivated to help kids from disadvantaged backgrounds living in remote or rural locations engage with learning through culturally safe education. As a primary school teacher, he hopes to influence how children engage with learning in their youngest years, fostering curiosity and igniting a passion for education in as many young people as possible.

Darcey Robson

Maitland, NSW

Bachelor of Arts/ Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

Darcey cares deeply about justice for women. Inspired by the stories and brave acts of feminists like Malala Yousafzai, Darcey intends to use her studies and skills to contribute to meaningful change. As school captain, she led her peers in raising vital funds to keep a local domestic violence and homelessness shelter afloat while developing her interest in legal issues and law reform. In pursuing a Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Laws (Honours) she hopes to reach her goal of working to protect and advocate for women’s justice and equity internationally. This includes exploring issues around the inherent gender bias in artificial intelligence and the implications for women worldwide.

Mikayla Robson

Maitland, NSW

Bachelor of Education (Primary)

Mikayla is committed to working toward greater equity in education. As a member of the Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy, she came to understand the barriers preventing young people from Indigenous backgrounds from accessing the same resources and opportunities as their non-Indigenous peers. By advocating for academic programs that respect and incorporate Indigenous cultural practices, she hopes to contribute to a more equitable and just education system that uplifts all students, regardless of their background. Her goal is to create educational pathways to help equip Indigenous students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their chosen field.

Larissa Ryan

Mid North Coast, NSW

Bachelor of Development Studies

Football was central to Larissa’s life growing up in Forster/Tuncurry. Her experiences playing with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal teams gave her the drive and passion for the sport that has made her who she is today. Taking pride in her Aboriginal culture has also deeply impacted Larissa’s life. She hopes to be a role model for other young Aboriginal men and women, sharing her experiences, helping others deal with the impact of issues like casual racism, and inspiring change. Her decision to pursue a Bachelor of Development Studies also reflects her desire to maintain and preserve Aboriginal sacred lands and cultural practices. She looks forward to serving her local community in the Great Lakes area.

Rifah Shaeera

Newcastle, NSW

Bachelor of Social Science/ Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

Rifah believes that big issues need loud voices. With so many pressing issues demanding our attention, Rifah hopes to encourage more young people to celebrate difference and use their privilege to fight for equity and justice. Moving to Australia from Bangladesh at a young age also taught Rifah the important connection between culture and identity. As a speaker and cultural advocate, Rifah has actively sought opportunities to share her culture with her school and local community. After completing her studies in Law and Social Science, Rifah hopes to advocate for human rights on a global scale and give back to her local community by advising immigrants on their legal rights.

Emily Ward

Upper Hunter, NSW

Bachelor of Medical Science

Growing up in the small town of Denman in the Hunter Valley, Emily was surrounded by a small but connected circle. She learned from an early age the joy that comes from helping others and has sought out countless opportunities to give back. From volunteering at her local Lions Club and Meals on Wheels to engaging with local issues through Scouts and as student representative council president at school, Emily’s commitment to community has been a constant thread in her life. As a future doctor, she hopes to re-create the sense of community she enjoyed growing up and advocate for better facilities for rural hospitals.

Ashlea West

Lake Macquarie, NSW

Bachelor of Criminology

Life’s challenges guided Ashlea to walk upwards of 200km each October to raise awareness and money for life-saving research into suicide prevention through the Black Dog Institute. This paired with long-standing encouragement from her elder brother, set Ashlea on a path that would eventually see her become a mature-aged student at Wollotuka and studying a Bachelor of Criminology to understand crime and its impact on society. Inspired by her mother, and her Indigenous ancestors who came before her, Ashlea is proud to continue their legacy and pursue her dreams. Ashlea aims to use her degree to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by learning and implementing culturally sensitive practices within the criminal justice system. She hopes to help pave the way to a more equitable and just society for all.