Q and A with Aurora’s Acting Ceo: Tamara Murdock on Blak Excellence

The International Study Tour and International Scholarships programs are two of Aurora’s flagship initiatives supporting students to elevate their aspirations and explore study opportunities overseas. These programs were established to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and scholars access some of the world’s leading universities and to pursue their own vision of success, while contributing to a broader shift in how excellence is defined by First Nations peoples.  

Leading these programs is Noongar person Tamara Murdock. As Aurora’s Acting CEO and Head of Programs, Tamara supports First Nations students to create new pathways and achieve success on their own terms. As a Study Tour and Charlie Perkins Scholarship alum, she knows first-hand how transformative and impactful international study can be. 

Tamara shared her reflections on what Blak Excellence means to her, offering insights into how it can empower, breakdown barriers and redefine success:  

“Blak Excellence encompasses all efforts to celebrate and make visible the achievements, strengths, pride and leadership of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities, whilst staying grounded in culture, community and reciprocity. It recognises that excellence and success for and by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples happen despite ongoing systemic and structural barriers.  

Blak Excellence is about self-determination and sovereignty. It’s about rewriting the narratives by centering and elevating Indigenous voices and ways of being, doing and seeing on our own terms.” 

As a study tour and scholarship alum and now the Acting CEO of Aurora, Tamara has witnessed Blak Excellence evolve across generations. Seeing it expressed in so many ways through participants, alumni, and colleagues has shaped her understanding. Reflecting on those experiences she shared:  

“My understanding of Blak Excellence hasn’t necessarily changed over time, but my ability to articulate it has deepened, especially through experiences with Aurora, as a program participant and leader. I’ve always felt a strong sense of pride in the resilience within our communities, but Aurora has supported me to develop the language and tools to express those ideas in ways that connect with others.  

It helped me see that Blak Excellence isn’t about fitting into existing systems of success, it’s about redefining them on our terms. It’s shown through leadership that is grounded in culture, community, and reciprocity. Being around other mob who are leading in so many different spaces reaffirmed what I already knew, that excellence looks different for us, and that’s exactly the point.” 

Curious about the role Blak Excellence plays in Aurora’s programs, we spoke with Tamara about how it shapes her perspective of the Scholarships Program and International Study Tour: 

“Blak Excellence underpins how I approach my role and fulfill my responsibility to community. As Aurora’s Deputy CEO and Head of Programs, and as someone who has benefited from being a program participant myself, I understand firsthand the power of being seen, supported and challenged in spaces created by and for our mob. That experience grounds me and shapes my leadership. Blak Excellence is how I achieve impact through my work; by leading with integrity, driving strategies and programs that reflect our values, and staying accountable to community. It’s about building and occupying spaces where our people can thrive, creating narratives that centre our knowledge and strengths, and ensuring that every decision uplifts those coming next. It’s not just a principle, – it’s a practice and responsibility that I am deeply committed to achieving. 

We asked Tamara to share why programs like the Scholarship Program and International Study Tour matter: 

“When I think about Blak Excellence, programs like the Scholarships Program and International Study Tour are so important because they create tangible pathways for our people to step into opportunities that have historically been withheld. These programs are about more than just studying or visiting overseas institutions, they’re about investing in the potential of our mob and expanding their horizons. They allow participants to see themselves in spaces where we’ve been underrepresented, and to bring back knowledge, networks, and skills that strengthen our communities. Blak Excellence thrives when we have the tools and support to lead on our own terms, and these programs are a powerful part of making that happen.”  

Success through the lens of Blak Excellence goes beyond conventional western milestones such as career and academic achievement. It celebrates connection to culture, community and impact. Tamara reflected on what success means to her: 

“I define success by whether what I’m doing is meaningful and has real purpose and impact. For me, it’s not just about personal achievements, but about how my work contributes to something bigger than myself. Success means knowing that I’m supporting others, especially the next generation, to develop the skills and knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their own pathways. It’s about creating opportunities, building capacity, and walking alongside others as they pursue their goals. If I can look back and see that I’ve helped create lasting change and enabled others to lead in their own right, that’s success to me.”