First Nations scholars to take on world’s best universities with scholarships for academic excellence

Dunghutti Gumbaynggirr woman Teresa Cochrane, Gija woman Naarah Barnes and Anaiwan man Connor Haddad have each been awarded a scholarship to some of the United Kingdom’s most prestigious universities for their outstanding academic achievements and a commitment to becoming leaders in their fields.

Teresa has been awarded a Charlie Perkins Chevening Scholarship, and Naarah and Connor have been awarded Roberta Sykes Chevening Scholarships. The scholarships are delivered through the Aurora Education Foundation (Aurora), and jointly supported by the Australian Government through the National Indigenous Australians Agency and the UK Government through its Chevening Program.

Aurora’s CEO Leila Smith said that by affirming Indigenous achievement, excellence and leadership, these scholarships have transformed education opportunities for First Nations students.

“12 years ago, an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person had never graduated from Oxford or Cambridge. Today, we’ve seen almost 100 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander scholars studying and teaching at these and other top universities,” she said.

“This year’s scholars, and all those who have come before them, are showing us more examples of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander excellence looks like. That it’s not about a predetermined path, it’s about tailoring support to these scholars’ versions of success. At Aurora, we catapult Indigenous students to the best courses in the world for their goals, so they can come back home and make change. It takes courage to look outside of your comfort zone for opportunities to develop and pursue your aspirations, and I couldn’t be prouder of our 2023 scholarship recipients.”

Her Excellency Vicki Treadell, British High Commissioner to Australia, will present the 2023 Charlie Perkins Scholarships in Canberra, alongside Leila Smith. Her Excellency said she was delighted to be playing a part in supporting these exceptional students to study in the UK.

“Education empowers and knowledge applied is transformative benefitting communities and society more broadly. Education is therefore one of the most vital links between Australia and the UK,” she said.

“The partnership between the UK’s Chevening Scholarship programme and the Charlie Perkins scholarship and Roberta Sykes scholarship highlights our shared belief in the power of education and how it equips the next generation of young leaders to realise their potential.”

This year’s scholars include:

• Dunghutti Gumbaynggirr woman and Charlie Perkins Scholar, Teresa Cochrane. Teresa has recently completed a Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management (Honours) at Charles Sturt University. Teresa currently works at the CSIRO in the Young Indigenous Women’s STEM academy as an academic co-ordinator. This year she will move to the UK where she will study a Master of Philosophy in Biodiversity, Conservation and Management at Oxford University.

• Gija woman and Roberta Sykes Scholar, Naarah Barnes. Naarah graduated with a Bachelor of Music majoring in Voice from The University of Tasmania in 2019. Since then, she has gained extensive experience in the entertainment industry with a focus on musical theatre. With this scholarship, Naarah has her eyes set on a Master of Music Theatre at the Royal Academy of Music in the UK.
• Anaiwan man and Roberta Sykes Scholar, Connor Haddad. Connor completed a Bachelor of Communication (Honours) at The University of Queensland in 2019. For the last three years he has been working in Public Policy and has developed a passion for youth justice. Connor will head to the United Kingdom to study a Master of Public Administration in Public Policy and Public Value at University College London.