“I was lucky to get a job with the Moreton Island Conservation team where I spent time working with the Dolphin Feeding Program,” she recalled.
Now the Torres Strait Islander, who grew up in Cape York, has enrolled in a Bachelor of Marine Science at Griffith University’s Gold Coast campus.
“I’m ready to embrace university life this time around.”
Tishiko was one of 65 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from across the country who took part in the Griffith University Hands Up Tertiary Preparation Program (TPP) over the past two weeks.
The program aims to prepare enrolling Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students for university life. It focuses on computer literacy skills, academic reading and writing, assignment preparation, research and surviving lectures and tutorials.
Head of GUMURRII Student Support Unit, Bronwyn Dillon, says the program equips students with the skills and attributes to help them succeed in their studies.
“We provide them with a basic outline of what to expect from university study and it gives them confidence and inspiration,” she said.
Former Sydneysider Vince Marcusson has enrolled in a Bachelor of Film and Screen Media.
“Ever since I was a kid, all I ever wanted to do was to get into film,” he says.
“University seemed quite daunting at first, but after doing the TPP program, I’m more familiar with what to expect and not so worried now.”
Bachelor of Business student Jazzmin Goudie-Bray agrees.
“The program has provided us with a broad spectrum of what to expect and the support from staff and student mentors has been fantastic,” she says.
For Tishiko, the opportunity to learn more about the environment, especially marine science ecology and sustainability, is the driving force behind her passion.
“I regularly return to Cape York and visit the communities, and I want to be able to help them look after their land.”
Pictured from above left: Jazzmin Goudie-Bray, Tishiko King, and Vince Marcusson.