Indigenous Perspectives

Trinity’s engagement with Indigenous Australia has two principal perspectives:

• From the perspective of Indigenous Australians, we aim to increase the opportunities for able students to have equality of access to the best possible higher education in this country.
• From the perspective of all Australians, as well as those from other countries who are members of the Trinity community, we aim to increase knowledge about the issues and features of Indigenous Australia.

Increasing access to the best possible higher education

Since 2001, Trinity has worked to increase the access of able Indigenous Australians to the best possible higher education through three main avenues:

• Residential scholarships for students taking degrees at the University of Melbourne
  
• Participation by Indigenous school students in the annual Young Leaders Summer School
  
• Other engagement of various kinds, including the work undertaken by Rosemary Blight, Drama teacher in Foundation Studies, at Nungalinya College in Darwin, or the program of visit between the Theological School and Wontulp-bi-Buya College in Cairns, as well as Nungalinya College.
  

Increasing knowledge about Indigenous Australia

• Its Indigenous Visiting Fellows program, which has seen Indigenous artists, writers, musicians, and leaders join the College for periods of time and share their knowledge
• Increasing its collection of Indigenous literature in the College Library and art in various locations throughout the College
• Instituting the program of visits to Minyerri by students and staff
• Providing opportunities for seminars, lectures, and conferences on Indigenous themes to be held at the College or brought to the attention of the College community.

In 2008, Trinity's Indigenous Education program will see up to five residential students taking degrees at the University of Melbourne being assisted in their studies through individually tailored academic support programs.  More information on this program can be obtained by calling (03) 9348 7223 or emailing indigenous@trinity.unimelb.edu.au.

Applications are invited from Indigenous Australians currently at secondary school who would like to participate in the July or December programs of the Trinity College Young Leaders Summer School.  Visit the Young Leaders website for more information about the Summer School, including application forms.

Keep in touch with what else is going on in Trinity's Indigenous Perspectives by going to our News page, and have a look at a range of recent articles and blogs.

• Download Indigenous Perspectives Brochure (Size: 728Kb, Type: PDF)