Scholarships support Indigenous teachers

Two UQ students have been awarded teaching scholarships created in honour of a pioneering Indigenous educator.

Worth up to $20,000 each for the course of study, the Pearl Duncan Teaching Scholarships were established in 2000 to encourage outstanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to pursue careers in the classroom.

A Queensland Government initiative, they are named after Pearl Duncan, who in 1951 became the country’s first tertiary-trained Indigenous teacher.

Dual education / arts student Allison Rocca and Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary) student Phillip Breslin were named among the recipients during a recent ceremony hosted by Rod Welford, Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts.

Both students come from a teaching background: Mr Breslin holds degrees in applied science and will follow his parents and brother into the profession, while Ms Rocca has experience working in childcare and as a dance teacher.

“Throughout my schooling career I've had the privilege to work with some fantastic teachers, which has motivated me to pass on the same opportunity to younger generations by studying to become a teacher,” Ms Rocca said.

Social and Behavioural Sciences Faculty Executive Officer Shaughn Forbes said the University was committed to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teachers throughout their studies.

“Having the Pearl Duncan Scholarships available for students who have a history of being disadvantaged allows them to come and study, and then return to teaching with the appropriate cultural awareness and sensitivity that’s required,” Ms Forbes said.

Ms Rocca said she wanted to teach at both primary and secondary levels in remote areas and also in Brisbane.

She said the scholarships allowed greater numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to become teachers and thus inspire others.

“It will demonstrate to the children the benefits of committing to school and going on to tertiary education,” she said.

“It will also let them know that it is possible to achieve with effort and persistence regardless of any disadvantage as help is always available.”

Media: Cameron Pegg at UQ Communications (07 3365 2049, c.pegg@uq.edu.au)