Title

Broome student wins prestigious national teaching scholarship

Document Type

Media Release

Publication Date

Winter 2-7-2012

Publisher Name

The University of Notre Dame Australia

Publication Place

Broome

Abstract

A mature age Education student at The University of Notre Dame Australia's Broome Campus has been awarded the highly acclaimed Governor-General's Indigenous Student Teachers Scholarship for Western Australia. Sharon Davis, currently in the third year of her Bachelor of Education K-7 degree, said she was humbled at being announced as WA's scholarship recipient.

Ms Davis was notified of her success while undertaking her practicum placement at Roebuck Primary School. She travelled from Broome to accept the scholarship from the Governor-General of Australia, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, in Canberra on Friday 29 June.

Ms Davis, a Bardi woman from the Kimberley region of Western Australia, currently juggles her full-time study commitments whilst raising a family.

"I am extremely honoured and privileged to receive the Governor-General's Indigenous Student Teachers Scholarship for WA," Ms Davis said.

"The scholarship means so much to me and my family. The most important thing for me is that the children in the Kimberley get a teacher who lives in their community and can act as role model for them.

"To have the opportunity to teach here in Broome and the surrounding Dampier Peninsula is extremely special as I am surrounded by my people and my culture – two things very close to my heart.

"I would like to extend my appreciation to all the lecturers and staff at Notre Dame who have been wonderfully supportive of my career ambition as an educator where I can do what I love every day."

Dean of the School of Education in Fremantle, Professor Michael O'Neill, congratulated Ms Davis on her achievement.

"The University is extremely proud of Sharon's academic achievement and personal qualities which have been reflected in her receiving this prestigious scholarship," Professor O'Neill said.

Ms Davis applied for the scholarship to fulfil her dream of teaching children in her hometown of Broome.

The scholarship is provided annually to one Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student from each Australian state through the Federal Government's Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.

Each scholarship is worth up to $25,000 per annum for a maximum period of four years and aims to provide financial support for student teachers in their progression to future employment. One of the award's objectives is to increase the number of quality Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teachers in Australian schools.

In 2011, Ms Davis became the first Indigenous student to win the Vice Chancellor's Medal in the School of Education for her excellent academic achievement. She also received the Student of the Year Award at the 2011 Kullari NAIDOC Awards held in Broome.

MEDIA CONTACT: Michelle Ebbs: Tel (08) 9433 0610; Mob 0408 959 138 Leigh Dawson: Tel (08) 9433 0569; Mob 0405 441 093

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