Hundreds of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander high school students and future community leaders from all over Southern Queensland gathered at the University of Southern Queensland this week to draw inspiration from the 2013 Indigenous Connections event.
The students listened to motivational presentations at the Springfield and Toowoomba campuses from successful Indigenous role models such as comedian Sean Choolburra, Blue Care Indigenous Coordinator Donna Corrie, Community Advocate Sam Rueben, Construction Supervisor for Arrow Energy Tom Draper and President of the Indigenous Lawyers Association of Queensland Josh Creamer.
Year 12 St Saviour’s College Toowoomba student Miranda Fisher’s highlight was hearing the success stories of other Indigenous Australians.
“I loved to hear the different speeches and about what they’ve achieved and how they’ve achieved it,” Miss Fisher said.
“I’m planning to take a gap year after school but I wouldn’t mind starting a university course.
“I’m interested in getting into social work so I can help my community any way I can.”
USQ Indigenous Marketing Officer David Harley said he could see much potential in the students there for the event.
“We’ve been planning this for nearly an entire year so it’s great to see so many faces here,” he said.
“There are a lot of brilliant minds that have come out of Australia in the last century and many of them have been Indigenous.
“We’re here to hopefully inspire some of your brilliant minds and help you get a better idea about what you might like to do after school.”
The students also enjoyed a bit of playtime with traditional Indigenous Games that have been passed down from generation to generation, Sports with AFL Queensland and Titans, didgeridoo lessons, song writing classes, traditional art, traditional dance and more.
They also had a chance to talk with USQ academic staff as well as attend University Activity Sessions presented by lecturers from a range of study areas.
USQ Vice-Chancellor Jan Thomas welcomed the students for the opening of the event.
“We’re absolutely delighted you can spend a few days with us here,” Professor Thomas said.
“We really try to make sure people from all backgrounds and locations feel welcomed and supported during their university study.
“We hope that when you finish the Indigenous Connections event, you can really see yourself becoming immersed in a university environment.”
Students visited from as far out as Cunnamulla, Charleville and St George for the Toowoomba event on February 20 and 21 while students from the greater Brisbane area attended the Indigenous Connections event at USQ’s Springfield campus on February 22.
For more information about the Indigenous Connections event, visit
www.usq.edu.au/school-liaison/indigenousconnections.
Media contact:
Callum Johnson, email: callum.johnson@usq.edu.au, Phone: 07 4631 1856
Jim Campbell, email: jim.campbell@usq.edu.au, Phone: 07 4631 2977.
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