Five new Indigenous Scholarships for Monash Art, Design and Architecture students
Five Indigenous students in a Monash Art, Design and Architecture degree have received a scholarship to help support them throughout their studies.
Two of the scholarships are generously supported by Brand Architects.
The Gama-gji Indigenous Masters Scholarship provides financial support and encourages Indigenous Australian students to pursue postgraduate studies in the field of architecture.
The Yiaga-yagila Indigenous Undergraduate Scholarship encourages Indigenous Australians to take up an undergraduate degree in the field of architectural design and provides them with financial support.
Laurence Robinson, Director, Brand Architects presented Tess Price with the Yiaga-yagila Indigenous Undergraduate Scholarship and Letichia Hoban with the Gama-gji Indigenous Masters Scholarship.
“We recently developed a Reconciliation Action Plan at Brand Architects. These scholarships are part of that Plan. We need Indigenous Australians to be part of our industry; sharing their insight and knowledge and to ensure we are as respectful to Country as we possibly can be.”
The new Monash Art, Design and Architecture (MADA) Indigenous Undergraduate Scholarships have been awarded to three recipients in each of our major discipline areas.
Dr Peta Clancy, Associate Dean Indigenous, announced Ellie Rollinson (Architecture), Tia Rose O'Callaghan (Fine Art) and Holly Ryan (Design) as the inaugural recipients.
Dr Clancy said the scholarships were an important part of the faculty’s commitment to the next generation of Indigenous designers, architects and artists - supporting them for the full duration of their studies.
“I am excited and proud to say that all these students have joined a very strong community of support at Monash Art, Design and Architecture.
We have the Wominjeka Djeembana Lab, led by Professor Brian Martin, right here in the faculty, which comprises the largest group of Indigenous and First Nations researchers across the University.
And the William Cooper Institute (WCI) at Monash is a wonderfully supportive hub for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research, learning and engagement,” Dr Clancy said.
Scholarships Award Night
The scholarships were presented during an evening at the Caulfield campus, home of Monash Art, Design and Architecture and the Monash University Museum of Art (MUMA).
The event was opened with an insightful and powerful Welcome to Country by Aunty Janet Galpin, followed by a smoking ceremony performed by David Tournier.
Both Aunty Janet and David talked about the meaning of the word wominjeka. Wominjeka is a Boon Wurrung word, meaning welcome, but it is more than that. It is welcome with obligation, ritualised practice and learning.
After the scholarship presentations, the evening concluded with Charlotte Day, Director of MUMA, giving a tour of the Rivermouth exhibition. Attendants were also treated to a special talk by artist Gabi Mabo, one of the featured artists of the exhibition.
On behalf of Monash Art, Design and Architecture, we extend our congratulations to all recipients and thank Brand Architects for their generous support of our students.
