News Archive

Recently three Indigenous students from the Kimberley won awards from Garnduwa Amboorny Wirnan's Kimberley Klub program.

The program supports and recognises the achievements of Kimberley Indigenous youth who are in Perth for academic and sporting aspirations. The Presentation Dinner was held at Claremont Football Club on September 7, 2012

The Student Services team from the School of Indigenous Studies nominated three of its outstanding Kimberley students who were all successful in being recognised.

Matthew Lelievre (pictured first) from Derby is in the final semester of the Bachelor of Exercise and Health Science, and will complete his final unit in Derby on a practicum.  While a student, Matthew was very active in WASAC and played interfaculty football and also represented UWA at the National Indigenous Tertiary Education Student Games.  In 2nd semester 2011, Matthew studied at the University of Albuquerque, New Mexico and on completion of his degree, intends to commence employment in a health field in Derby.

Bianca Howard (pictured second) is a 2nd year medical student from Broome, whom 2 years ago took a break from study and worked in Kununurra in a pharmacy.  Since returning to study in July 2010, Bianca completed the Aboriginal Pre-Medicine/Pre-Dentistry course and then enrolled in Medicine. In 2011, she was successful in gaining work experience/cadetship with Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Council and works in her holidays at KAMSC.

Matthew and Bianca were awarded the Academic Achievement Award for Tertiary students.

Rhonen Maher (pictured third)  also from Broome, is in the final semester of a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Accounting.   Rhonen completed secondary school at Wesley College on an academic scholarship.  After gaining entry to Commerce at UWA, he took some time off, and worked in Broome before returning to study several years ago.  A keen sportsperson both in cricket and football, Rhonen has been involved in interfaculty sports at UWA, has played for WAFL and recently for Broome's Towns Football Club in the football final.   While a student Rhonen has been on a cadetship for several years with Transpacific Cleanaway and on completing his degree in November, he will continue working with this business as a graduate.

Rhonen was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award for many reasons, one being that so few Indigenous people have completed a Bachelor of Commerce at UWA and it is thought that Rhonen is the first from the Kimberley for many years.