Trinity College grounds on a beautiful sunny day

Indigenous Programs

Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge and pay respect to the people of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Custodians of the land upon which Trinity College is situated. We pay our respects to all Elders of Indigenous students who call Trinity College home. We also acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders, members of the Trinity College community, the University of Melbourne and the wider world.

Trinity College has made a significant and sustained contribution to Indigenous human rights, the celebration and preservation of Indigenous culture, and access to tertiary education for young Indigenous women and men.  In a year of national conversation and deliberation the College affirms its engagement with our First Nations people, and its determination to be an advocate and agent of change and progress. 

Uluru Statement from the Heart & Voice to Parliament

Uluru statement

The invitation to enshrine a Voice in the Constitution was made in the Uluru Statement from the Heart, which was endorsed by the College Board in November 2019. The College’s endorsement of the Uluru Statement continues its long history of supporting our nation’s Indigenous people and promoting reconciliation.

In April 2023, the Board of the College reaffirmed this support.

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Indigenous support in the Residential College

Tyrina

Trinity College embraces and celebrates First Nations cultures and welcomes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to apply. Hear from some of our students and learn about the support we offer our Indigenous cohort.

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Nakata Brophy short fiction & poetry competition

Nakata Brophy

The Nakata Brophy Short Fiction and Poetry Prize recognises the work of talented young Indigenous writers.

The Nakata Brophy competition was established in 2014 and is awarded annually. It is the first of its kind in Victoria, and complements Trinity’s ongoing commitment to Indigenous education and reconciliation.

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Indigenous art collection

Indigenous art

Trinity's holdings of Australian Aboriginal art are both a wonderful visual expression of culture and an important commitment to our relationships with the Yolngu peoples of north-east Arnhem Land.

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Increasing our knowledge

Smoking ceremony

Trinity contributes to a deeper understanding of Indigenous culture at the College, the University and the wider community.

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Ongoing programs & initiatives

Indigenous students

Trinity College hosts the biennial Indigenous Higher Education Conference (IHEC), played a key role in the development, and teaching, of the foundation year of the BSc (Extended) and BA (Extended) and has a scholarship program for students who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

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The success of Trinity’s programs for Indigenous students has been made possible through the generosity of individuals, corporates, Trusts and Foundations, and government, in the firm belief that education is the way to bridge the gap.

The continuation and expansion of this type of support will ensure new generations of Indigenous students can achieve success at the University of Melbourne while living at Trinity College. 

We are most grateful for your support. Donations to the Indigenous programs can be made here.

This artwork pays respect to local customary designs representing Bouverie Creek – a subterranean watercourse that runs from Princes Park, underneath Trinity College, to Bouverie Street.

Our designer, Dixon Patten, is a proud Yorta Yorta and Gunai man. He is also director of Bayila Creative – a Melbourne-based Indigenous-owned creative agency.