Aurora announces 2025 Charlie Perkins and Roberta Sykes Scholars

Aurora has announced the recipients of its 2025 international scholarships, with five Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander scholars set to study at some of the world’s most prestigious universities. 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.

In addition to the two Charlie Perkins Scholars, three Roberta Sykes Scholars have also been awarded, all who have demonstrated leadership potential in their field of study and in their communities, as well as strong community and activist values.

Aurora’s international scholarships work to remove systemic barriers that stand in the way of Indigenous potential being realised. Fifteen years ago, there had never been an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person studying full-time at Oxford or Cambridge. Today, more than 100 Indigenous postgraduate scholars have studied or taught at these and other top universities, with support from Aurora’s programs.

The 2025 Scholars, including Isobel and Bhosten who are the first Torres Strait Islander recipients to study at Oxford, are:

• Isobel Loban Yorkston (she/her), a Badu, Mabuyag and Boigu Island woman and Charlie Perkins Scholar, who will complete a Master of Science in International Health and Tropical Medicine at Kellogg College, Oxford.
• Bhosten Savage (he/him), a Poruma, Mauar, Erub, Bidjara and Dhunghutti man and Charlie Perkins Scholar, who will undertake a Master of Business Administration at Oxford.
• Neika Lehman (they/them), a Trawlwoolway person from Tebrakunna Country and Roberta Sykes Fellow, who will join New York University as a Research Affiliate at the Provostial Center for Collaborative Indigenous Research with Communities and Lands.
• Eloise Bentley (she/her), a Wiradjuri woman and Roberta Sykes Scholar, who will study a Master of Public Policy at Harvard University.
• Kishaya Delaney (she/her), also a Wiradjuri woman and Roberta Sykes Scholar, who will also undertake a Master of Public Policy at Harvard.

Aurora’s CEO, Leila Smith, explains these scholarships exist to remove systemic barriers and back the talent, vision and leadership Aurora sees every year among Indigenous university students.

“Our 2025 scholarship recipients join a growing network of Indigenous scholars who are driving change, staying connected to culture, and making an impact across every field they enter. I’m proud to welcome them into the Aurora community and excited to see what they do next.” Leila said.

Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) Chairperson George Nona is a Badulaig, Goemulaig, Saibailaig, Mua and Erub man from Badu and lives on Waiben (Thursday Island). Mr Nona said the scholarships were a proud moment for families, communities and the entire Torres Strait.

“This history-making opportunity at the University of Oxford will open the door for more Torres Strait Islanders to achieve academic excellence at a global level,” Mr Nona said.

“From our island home to the halls of Oxford, we wish Isobel and Bhosten the very best on their academic journey as they join the world’s best scholars – proudly carrying our flag and sharing the unique experiences, culture, knowledge and stories of Zenadth Kes.”

The remote Torres Strait islands – known traditionally as Zenadth Kes – is Australia’s northernmost region, located between Cairns and Papua New Guinea. It is home to about 4000 people according to the latest Australian census.

Congratulations to the 2025 recipients, and best of luck in your overseas studies!

For more information about Aurora’s international scholarships, click here.