Four young Aboriginal Victorians have received a $5,000 scholarship to fulfil their schooling dreams thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.
The inaugural Aunty Dot Peters Award supports Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students to complete Years 9 and 10 at a Victorian secondary school.
The $5,000 scholarship can be used to pay for schooling-related expenses such as tutoring, study supplies, IT and home office equipment, uniforms, excursions and extra-curricular activities over two years.
The 2020 recipients of the Award are:
- Travis Colson from Churchill
- Nyteisha Bushell from Darley
- Emma Tibballs from Wurruk
- Damien Walker from Yarrawonga.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Gavin Jennings today presented the recipients with their awards at an event at Parliament House.
They were selected as scholarship winners by the Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Committee from a highly competitive field.
The committee said the four students selected displayed great commitment to their education and service to their community.
The awards are named in honour of Aunty Dot Peters – a champion for reconciliation and recognition.
In honour of her father, who died in service as a prisoner of war on the Thai Burma railway, Aunty Dot initiated the Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service in 2005. It is now a signature annual event for Aboriginal Victorians.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Gavin Jennings
“It was Aunty Dot’s dream to establish an award to support young, emerging Aboriginal Victorians and it’s wonderful to be fulfilling that dream today.”
“This award will ensure her name and legacy lives on for years to come – I congratulate all the recipients.”
Quote attributable to award recipient Nytiesha Bushell
“My goal is to finish Year 12 and go to university and study law or social work. I want to travel the world and see everything I can.”
Quote attributable to award recipient Damian Walker
“There are lots of things I'm interested in and if I do well at school and in my sports, I know I will have lots of opportunities.”
Reviewed 30 July 2020