In 2022, Aurora marked 11 years since its first International Study Tour, celebrating the participation of more than 200 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Aurora’s Study Tour provides a unique opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to travel across the world to discover what studying might be like at some of the most prestigious universities in the world such as Oxford, Cambridge, NYU and many more.
Yuin man Timothy (Tim) Goodwin has been announced as Aurora’s new Board Chair, commencing November 2025. Tim is an established barrister and Board Director, with a breadth of experience in the not-for-profit sector and for statutory authorities. He will replace the outgoing Chair, Nyikina man Charles Prouse, who has been Aurora’s first Indigenous Chair, and integral to Aurora’s evolution as an Indigenous-led organisation.
In 2024, Aurora celebrated 15 years since partnering with the UK Government’s Chevening Scholarship Program to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander scholars to study at some of the best universities in the United Kingdom. In 2010 there had never been an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander student to study at Oxford or Cambridge. Now through the Charlie Perkins Scholarship, supported by Chevening, over 50 scholars have studied at these top universities.
In February 2023, Aurora releases a new five-year Strategic Plan.
This Plan is a crucial step in articulating how Aurora will work towards its vision, maximise the potential of Indigenous young people, evolve the education system to encourage stronger Indigenous student outcomes, and strengthen the pipeline of Indigenous leaders.
By 2027, Aurora commits to improving education outcomes for more than 700 high school students, creating 500 internships for university students, supporting 25 post-graduates to study internationally, and offering 25 professional scholarships to First Nations people wanting to further their careers – and that’s just the beginning.
To achieve this, Aurora plans to grow the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander managers and executives who have the networks, expertise and knowledge to inform and shape systemic change.
Aurora establishes a Pilot program in 2011 to support Indigenous High School students, that interweaves culture and academic support. Today, the High School Program is working with Elders and Indigenous Mentors to support students from Year 8 to the first year out of school to; these students have doubled High School completion, tripled ATAR attainment and doubled transition to university compared to Indigenous students Australia-wide.
In February 2023 Aurora bolsters its senior leadership team, appointing Nyikina man Charles Prouse as Aurora’s first Indigenous Board Chair.
On the appointment, Charles said: “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have some of the world’s most charismatic and intellectually accomplished leaders, but we need to get the education system right if we want to bolster this pipeline of Indigenous leaders. Aurora’s work in this space is remarkable, demonstrating an unwavering belief in the unlimited potential of Indigenous peoples and making strides to change the education system so it better reflects Indigenous values, cultures and knowledges. I am delighted to continue working with Aurora, now as Chair, at such a pivotal time in their journey.”
The Roberta Sykes Indigenous Education Foundation (RSIEF) integrates its Scholarships and Bursaries into the Aurora Education Foundation (Aurora) suite of programs. This restructure, driven by a collective mission to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to realise their full education potential, sees Aurora and RSIEF combine by RSIEF dissolving as a separate organisation.
As a volunteer-run organisation, RSIEF recognised the value and opportunities that would come from working more closely with Aurora as a single organisation.
As part of the restructure, Aurora was tasked with continuing to preserve and celebrate the Roberta Sykes legacy. In doing so, Aurora remains innovative and adaptive in creating opportunities for Indigenous students to undertake post-graduate scholarships at leading overseas universities, and ensures that this experience contributes to tangible development opportunities for students upon their return home.
In 2023, Aurora launched RISE: Redefining Indigenous Success in Education. RISE is a five-year longitudinal study that is investigating what works in Indigenous education. Aurora’s Indigenous-led RISE team is working closely with over 600 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander high school students to understand the best ways to encourage success, through academic, cultural and wellbeing support.
In a historic first, two Torres Strait Islander scholars have been awarded the prestigious Charlie Perkins Chevening Scholarship to study at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. This makes them the first Torres Strait Islander people to ever study at the University of Oxford! Badu Island, Mabuyag Island and Boigu Island woman Isobel Loban Yorkston, will study a Master of Science in International Health and Tropical Medicine and Poruma, Mauar, Erub, Bidjara and Dhunghutti man Bhosten Savage, will undertake an MBA.
At Aurora, we proudly support and endorse the right of Indigenous peoples to self-determination and self-governance and acknowledge the critical role of data to promote these ideals. We recognise the potential of the data we hold to advance Indigenous interests in education when used in the correct ways. Principles of Indigenous Data Sovereignty and Indigenous Data Governance are being applied in the delivery of RISE and across all of Aurora’s work.
First Indigenous CEO and Aurora Alumnus, Leila Smith is appointed, as Aurora becomes an Indigenous organisation.
Emerging number of Indigenous students moving through Aurora’s interconnected pathways from high school through to university and the workplace, redefining Indigenous educational and career success.
Our Internship program has placed over 3,300 Indigenous and non-Indigenous interns at more than 240 organisations in and outside the Indigenous sector since 2004.
First full-time Indigenous Scholars (Paul Gray and Christian Thompson) commenced in Oxford in 2010 through the Charlie Perkins Scholarship, administered by Aurora.
Indigenous leadership has always been a key part of Aurora’s work. Founded by Richard Potok in 2006 as the Aurora Project, Aurora has been instrumental in supporting international pathways in education for Indigenous scholars. Richard’s commitment to Aurora has contributed to supporting a growing number of Indigenous Australian leaders, mentors and role models.
