Changing Indigenous lives
“I was the only Indigenous student in years 11 and 12 at my school in Bodalla and I want to see that change.” These inspirational words were delivered on the eve of National Reconciliation Week (May 27-June 3) by Tamara Kenny, a young Bidjara woman, at a Shalom Gamarada Scholarship Program (SGSP) supporters lunch in Sydney.
“I AM the first in my family – and actually the first from my community – to go to university. I was the only Indigenous student in years 11 and 12 at my school in Bodalla and I want to see that change.”
These inspirational words were delivered on the eve of National Reconciliation Week (May 27-June 3) by Tamara Kenny, a young Bidjara woman, at a Shalom Gamarada Scholarship Program (SGSP) supporters lunch in Vaucluse, hosted by Alan and Molly Joffe.
The fourth-year arts/law student at UNSW spoke alongside third-year commerce/law student and Wiradjuri woman, Bridgett Cama of Lithgow, about how the program is transforming their lives.
It provides accommodation, board, kosher meals at Shalom College and vital support including personal tuition, to 21 current scholarship holders.
Now in its 11th year, it has supported 80 Indigenous students and seen 20 of them graduate so far in law, medicine, engineering and architecture.
Kenny, who wants to eventually work in her home community, said, “The support I received at Shalom College was the only stable thing I had when I moved to the big city.
“Last year my cousin, who was 11 at the time, emailed me the message: ‘You are my role model and I want to go to university like you.’ My sister then said the same thing. That was just amazing, to have that influence on young people.”
Cama said those that donate to the program recognise how it tackles disadvantage that has been present since colonisation.
“The more Indigenous lawyers and doctors we have, the greater the impact it will have in our communities and empower us,” Cama said.
Shalom Institute and College CEO Dr Hilton Immerman said the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people “on many levels is a bit of a national shame – and the only way you can start addressing that in a meaningful way is through education.”
SGSP students achieved a pass rate of more than 90 per cent in the last five years. “The program is having phenomenal success but in the last few years it’s been really tough to generate more donations,” Immerman said.
“We would really welcome more sponsors, from both individuals and groups.”
To find out more about the program and how to support it, call Hilton Immerman on 0417 220 052 or visit www.shalomgamarada.org
SHANE DESIATNIK
comments