News Archive

More than 40 Indigenous secondary students in Years 9, 10 and 11 from all around the State visited The University of Western Australia for an Indigenous Science, Engineering and Health Camp.

Some of the highlights of the camp include experimenting with liquid nitrogen, electricity and gyroscopes in the School of Physics and taking part in a simulated laparoscopic operation in the School of Surgery's Clinical Training and Evaluation Centre.

Year 9 Kununurra District High School student Allira Scott said she was enjoying the camp and it confirmed her wish to become a forensic scientist while Year 9 Governor Stirling Senior High School student Amy Narrier said she was aiming to become a midwife.  Year 10 student Frank Mannel from Trinity College said he wouldn't decide on a career until he had completed his Bachelor of Science degree.  "I'll work out what I want to do at postgraduate level," he said.

The camp is run every year by UWA's School of Indigenous Studies whose Outreach program inspires secondary students from Years 8 to 12 to consider a tertiary education in conjunction with Follow the Dream, Aspire UWA and Future Footprints.

The School of Indigenous Studies is seeing record enrolments.  This year, more than 40 Indigenous students started first year at UWA while another 25 students are completing the UWA Aboriginal Orientation Course to prepare for entry to an undergraduate degree next year.

The School of Indigenous Studies has helped 43 Indigenous students to complete Law degrees.  It has 22 Medicine graduates and, at the end of the year, is likely to have two Dentistry graduates.  Other students have completed Arts and Science degrees.

This year's camp students travelled from schools in the metropolitan area as well as Albany, Australind, Broome, Bunbury, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Katanning, Karratha, Kununurra, Newman, Port Hedland and Tom Price.

They stayed at the Point Walter Recreation and Conference Centre and, as well as enjoying academic and sporting activities at UWA, they had time for shopping and a river cruise.  At UWA, they also met staff and students from the University's Centre for Aboriginal Medical and Dental Health.

Photo (left to right): Savannah Travia-Dann , Mercedes College, Wendilyn Torres , St Marys College Broome, Frank Mannel , Trinity College and Nathan Matchett Kingsway Christian College

Media references

Elisa McGowan (UWA School of Indigenous Studies)  (+61 8)  6488 3428  /  (+61 4) 31 925 198
Sally-Ann Jones (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 7975  /  (+61 4) 20 790 098