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Aurora Education Foundation
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Aurora Education Foundation

Our Journey

Aurora elects Charles Prouse as first Indigenous Board Chair

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.”

Meet Charles Prouse

Roberta Sykes Indigenous Education Foundation and Aurora Education Foundation Merge

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.

Aurora Releases New Strategic Plan

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.

View Strategic Plan

High School Program established

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.

High School Program

First Indigenous CEO

First Indigenous CEO and Aurora Alumnus, Leila Smith is appointed, as Aurora becomes an Indigenous organisation. 

A full circle of Indigenous leadership

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. 

Dakota Feirer, HSP alumnus, Intern and Mentor
Hope Kuchel, HSP alumnus, Intern and Scholar

Internship program

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.

Internships

First full-time Indigenous scholars in Oxford

First full-time Indigenous Scholars (Paul Gray and Christian Thompson) commenced in Oxford in 2010 through the Charlie Perkins Scholarship, administered by Aurora. 

Establishment of 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. 

Launch of Aurora International Study Tour

Launch of annual international Study Tour that takes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander university students aspiring to undertake post-graduate studies on a 5-week visit to overseas universities such as Cambridge, Oxford and Harvard. 171 Indigenous students have participated in the Aurora Study Tour; of those who have applied to the universities visited 94% have been accepted. 

Study Tour

New vision and mission

New vision and mission has been developed with input from the whole organisation:

Our vision is a society in which Australia’s First Peoples determine their own aspirations through education and life-long learning, shaping a new future for our country.

Our mission is to inspire First Peoples in their education journey and connect them with educational and career opportunities that enable them to realise their potential.
Aurora supports students and scholars to achieve unparalleled outcomes and shift the conversation to one of proud and talented students with limitless potential. To achieve systemic change, we are committed to an authentic and trusted approach, evidence-based decision making and a long-term focus.

Aurora’s Theory of Change is developed, capturing the intersection of our work along different levels of impact for individuals, community, institutions and wider society.

Our Impact

Launch of the Indigenous Pathways Portal

Launch of the Indigenous Pathways Portal as an aggregator of a wide range of Scholarships available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander undergraduate and postgraduate students in Australia and overseas.

Indigenous Pathways Portal

Minister Wyatt on Aurora

Minister Wyatt said during Parliament question time:

“The internship student I had is now going to Columbia, in the United States, and will study on a scholarship. It has opened many doors for her in a way that was never there before. She lacked confidence. Through this program, we’re now seeing her excel. I will be looking at all of the opportunities to take our children into the top 15 payroll jobs that exist in this nation. That’s where they will succeed. That’s where they will be least expected to succeed.”

Establishment of Perth office

To ensure we continue to deepen the impact of our work nationally, Aurora establishes a second office, located in Perth.

Our Indigenous Mentors

Our Indigenous Mentors are going to classrooms and communities across Australia through Outreach sessions, acting as role models by inspiring younger students to set their own aspirations and foster self-determination to help students define their own version of success. Aurora’s Indigenous Mentors have given back to the community by undertaking more than 5000 hours of outreach sessions with more than 600 Indigenous high school students and supported them to think about their academic and career goals. 

Our mentor stories

Aurora Education Foundation acknowledges and pays respects to the Traditional Custodians of the lands of Gadigal Country and Whadjuk Noongar Country where Aurora offices are located.

Aurora also acknowledges the Countries and ancestors of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, scholars, families and carers, staff, volunteers and Board Directors who partner with Aurora to achieve a society where First Peoples determine their own aspirations through education and lifelong learning. We acknowledge and pay respects to your Elders, past and present.

Aurora Education Foundation

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Our programs

We deliver a suite of Interconnected programs that walk with Indigenous students through each stage of their educational development and build their resilience, identity, aspirations and sense of community.

Scholarships & Study Tour
Indigenous Pathways Portal
Internship Program
High School Program

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info@aurorafoundation.com.au

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