The program's name comes from the term Gamarada ngiyani yana in the Eora language (the coastal Aboriginal people of Sydney) and is translated as "We walk together as friends."



The premise behind the scholarship is to make a future contribution to address the state of Indigenous health, disadvantage and welfare in Australia.

Many Indigenous students find it difficult to succeed at university because they:

• commonly come from deprived educational and socio-economic backgrounds
• often live far from campus and spend many hours each day travelling on public transport
• generally have to find part-time work to help support themselves and;
• are seldom part of a “learning community” with friends and family members who have been or are engaged in higher education.

The Shalom Gamarada Scholarship Program helps to alleviate these problems by providing financial support, eliminating travelling time and creating an environment conducive to learning through tutoring and counselling support.

In 2011, the program expanded beyond medical and health science students to include students studying other disciplines. 

“Our commitment must be to maximise the number of Indigenous doctors in the workforce and this wonderful initiative will make all the difference between an Aboriginal student who struggles to pass and one who progresses steadily through the program.” 

- Professor Richard Henry, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, UNSW 

Since the program's inception in 2005, it has assisted 47 students. There are currently 23 Indigenous students at Shalom College, ranging from the 1st to the 4th year of their studies.

Funding

How to Apply

• First, you will need to submit an application to the college using the online application form, and ensure all sections are completed. This includes arranging for the completion of 2 referees reports.
• Notify both Shalom College and the Nura Gili Centre for Indigenous Programs at UNSW that you are interested in applying for a Shalom Gamarada Scholarship.
• Submit an electronic copy of a 500 word essay to shalom@shalom.edu.au on the topic: "Why I believe I am a worthy candidate for the scholarship and how I plan to serve my community following graduation." Include a statement in which you indicate whether you receive or will be receiving Abstudy - and, if not, why not? [this is one way of establishing whether applicants to the scholarship are 'in financial need'.]

If you require any further clarification, please contact our accommodation officer, Roger on 9381 4000 or roger@shalom.edu.au.

Joseph McDonald is our most recent and 3rd graduate from the program. Joseph completed his 6 year medical degree in December 2011 and is now working as an intern for the hunter New England Area Health Service.

He said:

“The Shalom Gamarada Scholarship was a life-changing experience for me. The fact that I had a friendly and supportive home on campus with healthy meals, enabled me to do the job I had to do to pass my exams. The scholarship - without question - allowed me to achieve my dream of becoming a doctor.

There is no substitute for Indigenous health professionals from the local community who are known and respected. The Scholarship provides Indigenous people with the opportunity for self-determination regarding their health outcomes."

Jenna Owen was the second graduate from our Shalom Gamarada Scholarship Program. She is the first Indigenous optometrist ever in NSW and completed the 5 year degree at UNSW with a distinction average. She is now working in Port Macquarie and is serving some surrounding local Aboriginal communities.

Jenna lived at the college for the 5 year duration of her degree. She grew up in Albert, a town in western NSW with a population of 11. She then moved to Dubbo for High School. She said:

 “Being an Indigenous student from a rural area, it would have been impossible for me to study Optometry having to live so far away from home because of the financial stress of accommodation, living expenses and travel costs. The Shalom Gamarada Scholarship has made my dream a reality and enabled me to be the first member of my family to attend university. Receiving the Shalom Gamarada Scholarship, and living here in Shalom College, has been an amazing experience for me. The cultural adjustment to studying and living in the city has been made smoother through the support I have had from friends at Shalom College.”

She is also a gifted golfer with a handicap of 4! 

Dr Beth Kervin was our first graduate in 2009.  She is now completing her second year of work as a doctor at Liverpool Hospital.

Beth is from Horningsea Park, NSW and lived in the college for 3 years as a Shalom Gamarada scholarship holder.

 Beth commented:

Khyarne Biles

• 4^th Year Medicine, UNSW
• From Dubbo, NSW
• Shalom College Medicine Tutor

Khyarne said:

I am an outgoing, hardworking and proud Aboriginal woman, who is committed to making a difference to the health outcomes of my people.

The Shalom Gamarada Scholarship enables me to live in a safe and supportive environment, while I reach for my dreams of becoming a doctor.

I plan to move back to my hometown of Dubbo and tackle the health issues facing my community.

Laura Fitzgerald

• 4^th Year Medicine, UNSW
• From Canberra, ACT
• Recipient of the Medicines Australia Scholarship

In 2011, she successfully completed her Independent Learning Project (an important piece of research that all UNSW medicine students undertake) which was entitled, "Multidiscipinary follow-up clinics for mild to moderate trauma cases at St George Hospital."

“I grew up in Canberra but my family comes from Muruwari country in Northern NSW and Southern QLD.  Attending UNSW is a significant opportunity for me as my siblings and I are the first generation of our mother’s family to go to University. The Shalom Gamarada Scholarship has made this achievement possible. Without this scholarship I would not have been able to live on campus and I would have struggled to maintain the amount of study needed as I would have also had to have a part-time job."

Mitch Sutton

• 3rd Year Medicine, UNSW 
• From Tasmania

“I'm a Pallawah student from rural Tasmania, where I have lived my entire life. I chose to study at UNSW because of the support available, and the opportunities Sydney has to offer. As my family almost completely reside back in Tassie, I didn't know anybody who lived anywhere near Sydney. Staying in a college environment is best for me in both gaining a support network, and allowing me to focus on doing well throughout my medical studies.

Sam Stapleton

•  3^rd

  year at Shalom College

•  2^nd

  Year Medicine (following 2 years of Science)

• Redfern, NSW

“As my parents are separated and not living in Sydney, I could not avail myself of the wonderful opportunity to study at UNSW without the Shalom Gamarada Scholarship.

 I have long dreamed of becoming a doctor and worked hard during my first 2 years at university, passing all my courses well. 

My mother is a member of the Gamilaroi tribe in Northern NSW and is now living in Moree. 

I am proud of my Indigenous heritage. As such, on the completion of my medical degree I am hoping to help with the many issues facing the country’s indigenous communities.

I feel honoured to be part of the Shalom College community and feel I am making a worthwhile contribution.”

Sean Westbury

• 2^nd year medicine
• San Souci, NSW  

Sean is a Wiradjuri man. Following graduation he plans to work as a doctor with Indigenous communities in rural NSW. 

Brylie Frost

• 2^nd year medicine 
• Wamberal, NSW 
• From the Awakabal nation of the Newcastle region. 

Brylie graduated from St Catherine’s School in the eastern suburbs of Sydney where she was a full time boarder. She has won numerous leadership and academic awards and played competitive hockey.  Brylie hopes to become a cardiothoracic surgeon.  She is the only one in her family to have completed her HSC.

Guy Dennis

• 2^nd year medicine
• Port Stephens, NSW
• He has received numerous academic and leadership awards and is a competitive swimmer, surfer and black belt in Taekwondo
• Guy became a proud father of a baby girl in March 2012
• Recipient of a Gonski  Foundation Scholarship

Guy believes that one way he can serve his community and future indigenous students is by being a good role model.

Kyron McGrath

• 2^nd year Arts/ Law
• Cowra, New South Wales

Kyron served on the SRC and was a prefect at his high school.  He also attended anti-bullying workshops and worked with younger students on developing a harmonious and respectful learning environment.

Mitch Heritage

• 2^nd year Commerce
• Brisbane, Queensland 
• Recipient of Investec Bank Scholarship

Mitch hails from the Kuku-Yalanji and Goorimpul people. He represented the State in the National Schools Constitutional Convention.  He is an avid rugby league and touch football player and has been involved in a youth organisation that specialises in getting young people off the streets. Mitch completed his Certificate 2 in Business Administration through a Commonwealth Bank of Australia trainee scholarship.

"I aim to give back to my community by being a role model to all young indigenous kids who think that just because of their culture they can’t do what everyone else can."

Paul Brown

• 2^nd year Bachelor of Fine Arts/ Arts
• Narrabri, Australia
• Paul has held a number of leadership positions. 

Paul’s dream is to work in the Australian television industry. He has a passion to assist less fortunate and disadvantaged Aboriginal children.

Shaarn Hayward

• 2^nd year Arts/ Law
• From Port Macquarie and then Holsworthy, NSW
• Worked for 2 years before starting university
• Recipient of the Clayton Utz Scholarship. 

Shaarn is a Birpai woman. On completing her Law degree she hopes to work in a prestigious Sydney law firm and do pro-bono within the Indigenous community.

Renee Wootton

• 1^st year, 2^nd semester of Engineering
• From Marlee (near Taree), NSW
• A Tharwal woman whose Indigenous heritage originates from Nowra, NSW.

At school, Renee was a member of the Indigenous student representative council, which lead to her involvement in Aboriginal murals, participation in Harmony Day and NAIDOC activities, and the creation of a bush tucker garden at the local school. She was an active member of the Australian Air Force Cadets for 2 years, completed the Kokoda Track and became an ambassador for the local Taree RSL Club.

Lowanna Moran

• 2^nd year Bachelor of Art Education
• Her family come from the Brewarrinna and Walgett areas of NSW
• Received an Indigenous scholarship to complete her high schooling at St Catherine's in Waverley.

Danielle Hobday

• 2^nd year Social Science (Criminology)/ Law
• From the Central Coast, NSW.

Danielle's parents are farmers. She began he studies commuting to UNSW from the Central Coast, which proved very difficult for her. After moving into Shalom College in July 2011, her results improved dramatically. She is intertested in working with wayward Aboriginal and Torres Strait adolescents "to assist them to live within the Law".

Brooke Gowans

• 2^nd year Social Work/ Arts
• Redfern, NSW

Brooke is from the Wiradjuri and Kamilaroi tribes. As a Redfern resident she has witnessed the many social problems members of the Indigenous community experience there and elsewhere. She is committed to becoming a Social Worker where she can make a difference serving her community.