2018 Aurora Education Fellows

We are delighted to continue our support of Indigenous postgraduate scholars through our partnership with the Aurora Education Foundation. This year, we helped send four Fellows on the 2018 Aurora International Study Tour: Kasarina Mann, Gemma Tierney, Faith Considine and Sasha Purcell.

Kasarina Mann is a proud Aboriginal woman of Mbarbarum, Kuku Yalanji, Yidinji and Gugu Yimidthirr descent, who completed her Bachelor of Health Sciences (Psychology) at the University of Sydney with a Distinction average. Kasarina received the Annual University of Sydney Scholarship for Distinction and the Australia Rotary Health Annual Scholarship for Health during her degree. Kasarina aspires to pursue further studies in health, science or medicine overseas, and then to bring her knowledge and skills home to support rural communities in Cape York.

Gemma Tierney, an Aboriginal woman of Kamilaroi descent, is currently completing a Bachelor of Applied Science (Honours) in Physiotherapy at the University of Sydney. Gemma has been the recipient of numerous awards during her studies, including the Indigenous Progress Award, which she received three years in a row. Gemma aspires to be a leader in the health landscape and pursue a career that provides more equitable and holistic healthcare to Indigenous women and children.

Faith Considine, a Yuin woman, is graduating with a Bachelor of Business and a Bachelor of International Relations from Bond University in 2018, majoring in International Business and Diplomacy. Faith has been awarded the Bond Indigenous ISS Scholarship, Executive Dean’s Award and Vice Chancellor’s Award. Faith aims to undertake postgraduate study in sustainable agriculture and environmental management to become a leader in sustainable global food security.

Sasha Purcell is a Torres Strait Island woman and graduated from Griffith University with a Bachelor of International Relations in 2009, followed by a Bachelor of Laws and Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from Queensland University of Technology. She was admitted as a lawyer of the Supreme Court of Queensland in 2016. Sasha’s passion for social justice research, particularly that of Indigenous and multicultural affairs, saw her win an essay prize at the 2015 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Education Consortium International Indigenous Research Conference. Sasha aspires to continue practising law whilst pursuing an academic career in a Master of International Law with a focus on Human Rights.