USQ education students awarded prestigious scholarship

Four University of Southern Queensland (USQ) students have been awarded teaching scholarships created in honour of a pioneering Indigenous educator.

Worth up to $20,000 each for the course of study, the Pearl Duncan Teaching Scholarships were established in 2000 to encourage outstanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to pursue careers in the classroom.

A Queensland Government initiative, they are named after Pearl Duncan, who in 1951 became the country's first tertiary-trained Indigenous teacher.

USQ Education students Allen Blake, Danielle Johnson, Mitch Smith and Aja Moran  were named among the recipients during a recent ceremony hosted by Rod Welford, Minister for Education, Training and the Arts which Pearl Duncan also attended.

Allen, Danielle and Mitch will be undertaking undergraduate education degrees while Aja will begin her postgraduate studies in early childhood education.

Aja, who is currently working as a tutor for the Aboriginal Islander Community School at Acacia Ridge said enjoying her own young children had steered her into early childhood education.

'I just love seeing the lights switch on for young children, it really is amazing,' Aja said.

'I have instructed children in martial arts classes and did my practical experience in a primary school and just really loved the experience of both.'

Director for USQ's Centre for Australian Indigenous Knowledges, John Williams-Mozley said the Scholarships are a great encouragement for those Indigenous people wishing to pursue careers as classroom educators.

'To have four students from the one university awarded Pearl Duncan Teaching Scholarships is quite unusual,' Mr Williams Mozely said.

'On the other hand, it must say something about the appeal of USQ teacher training in attracting the four students in the first place.

'I wish them well in their studies and would encourage each of them to use the Centre's support services in their exciting journey towards becoming teacher practitioners.'

Faculty of Education Dean Professor Nita Temmerman said the faculty was committed to both an international and intercultural agenda for its graduates.

'We are very pleased to welcome the four scholarship recipients,' Professor Temmerman said.

Media Contact:  Jo-Ann Sparrow, USQ Media, +61 7 3470 4119 or 0428 102 979