Community & Business
16 May, 2021
Indigenous education bursaries program launched
INDIGENOUS students can be part of a new bursary program in the Wet Tropics region to help with their studies and future employment opportunities.
INDIGENOUS students can be part of a new bursary program in the Wet Tropics region to help with their studies and future employment opportunities.
Terrain NRM has launched the Natural Capital Fund Indigenous Education Bursary Program. Natural Capital Fund director and Terrain NRM Board’s first ‘Emerging Leader’ Rhiannon Simcocks said the fund wanted to encourage more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to become future leaders in natural resource management.
Students in the fields of natural resource management, environment, sustainable development, agriculture and conservation are eligible for the fund’s $3000 bursaries.
“It’s incredibly important for us to recognise the connection between young indigenous people and Country,’’ Ms Simcocks said.
"We are hoping this new program will help to support Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders who want to further their studies for careers in natural resource management and advancements in collaborative management of the land and sea.”
Terrain NRM Board member and Djabugay traditional owner Barry Hunter said it was heartening to see more indigenous people caring for Country in the Wet Tropics region, and also guiding cultural land and sea management.
“We are seeing growth in land, fire and cultural heritage management roles,’’ he said.
“We are also seeing growth in indigenous-led research. Having more young Aboriginal people engaged in the Wet Tropics region is crucial.”
Ms Simcocks said long-term goals of the program included an alumnus of bursary holders.
“There is a huge amount to be learned from young indigenous people, and from younger voices as a whole,’’ she said.
“I was lucky enough to be Terrain NRM Board’s first ‘Emerging Leader’, an opportunity that included a 12-month mentorship program. Being on the board now as a director and seeing other take up the same program, it’s shown me how important targeted assistance can be in shaping career paths, and also how important it was to bring the voices of the younger generation to the table.
“This bursary program was born out of the Emerging Leader program. We are hoping it helps students while also giving back to the natural environment through lifelong careers in natural resource management whether that’s in employment roles, partnerships or leadership positions.”
For more information about the new Natural Capital Fund Indigenous Education Bursary Program, visit Terrain NRM’s website at www.terrain.org.au and look under ‘Latest News’ on the home page. Or phone 4043 8000. Applications close on 30 June.
