Three high achieving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students have received Arrow Energy scholarships to support their studies at Griffith University this year.
Arrow Energy unveiled its first Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) this week in its push to become an employer of choice for Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The RAP was launched by Queensland Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural Affairs Glen Elmes on Wednesday 22 May at Queensland University of Technology along with Brisbane Broncos Sam Thaiday and Justin Hodges, and the 25 Queensland recipients of Arrow’s Indigenous scholarships.
The launch showcased Arrow Energy’s partnership with Griffith University and five other Queensland universities, to create opportunities for Indigenous scholarships in Brisbane as part of a new statewide higher education project.
Dean Sarra is born and bred in Bundaberg is a proud Gooreng Gooreng/Bunda man, he now studies the Bachelor of Laws at Griffith’s Nathan campus. His interest in law developed whilst acting as a representative for his people on Native Title negotiations, which is also where he first encountered Arrow Energy.
Dean remembered them being fair-minded and responsible in those negotiations, so when he discovered the scholarship Arrow Energy was offering on their website, he decided it would be worth applying for.
“The scholarship is great because it takes the financial pressure of so you can concentrate on succeeding in your studies, he said. But Arrow Energy are offering more than that. It is more of an ongoing relationship and could have long-term benefits to my skills development and career.
Jemila Darr- Bachelor of Environmental Engineering student and Arrow Energy scholarship recipient
Jemilla Darr, dreams of working for a large firm as an environmental engineer, with a focus on hydrology (water systems). She is studying the bachelor of Environmental Engineering at Nathan and has also been awarded the Supporting Women Scholarship by Skills Queensland.
“I like science, but my interest in environmental engineering was confirmed for me during a couple of student summer camps that I attended in Sydney and Brisbane. Then I heard about the Arrow Energy scholarship through my Indigenous support officer in high school and was encouraged to go for it. It is such a big help with all my fees and that helps me to work hard on getting the best results in my degree.”
Nicholas Campbell- Double degree Science & Engineering student and Arrow Energy scholarship recipient
Nicholas Campbell aims to work in the Energy sector at completion of his double degree in science and engineering and has twice received the Griffith Award for academic excellence. He is interested in electronic engineering and wants to design energy systems and develop efficient ways to transmit energy.
“The Arrow Energy scholarship gives me financial security and independence while I study, he said. It helps cover the fees, textbooks and even public transport costs, which helps me to concentrate on my studies and keep up to date.”
Arrow Energy held its round of interviews for their scholarship programs earlier this year with high quality Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, attracting 22 applications for the three scholarships on offer to support their study at Griffith.
