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Monday, 25 July 2016

Twelve Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics (ECM) student ambassadors recently returned from a unique trip exploring Western Australia’s remote Broome region.

The student ambassadors helped run sports competitions, assist teachers with academic workshops, and organise practical and fun classroom activities in support of the annual school sports carnival, the Kimberley Cup.

The trip was coordinated by Aspire UWA , who with partner schools and communities in regional Western Australia and Perth raise aspirations for tertiary education. Faculty representatives from ECM, and the School of Indigenous Studies also travelled to Broome to take part.

Ambassador and engineering student Jonathan Lee said the Kimberley Cup had been an extremely rewarding and culturally enriching experience for him.

“I enjoyed inspiring the student’s belief that they too could be a university student one day. It’s an experience I’ll never forget.

The trip also gave current indigenous students Tian Hall and Wendi Torres the opportunity to return to their old schools, Broome Senior High School and St Mary’s College. They were able to share their personal stories and university experiences with students from their home town.

The group spent time with local UWA alumni and their families, including an evening tasting the delights of local seafood and listening to stories of local Indigenous culture and knowledge.

Megan Henderson, ECM Faculty Outreach Coordinator said that it was an amazing opportunity to have a positive impact on a remote community and a time for immense growth, both personally and professionally, for the engineering ambassadors involved.

“They did a fantastic job delivering activities in the high schools as well as being involved in the team sports.

The ambassadors were constantly thinking up new ways to engage and inspire, and in return some of their biggest life lessons and personal growth on the trip came from being inspired by the Kimberley high school students themselves.”

To capture the wonderful experience, the Faculty ran a photography competition with the ambassadors to highlight their scenic community engagement. The competition produced some spectacular results which can be seen here .

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