In a poignant tribute to cultural heritage and educational aspirations, recipients of the 2024 Francis Xavier Conaci Scholarship share their journey with Vatican News. Zane Ratcliff and Ryan St. John, both enrolled at the Australian Catholic University, express their hopes of empowering First Nations communities through education upon their return to Australia.
By Joseph Tulloch
Each summer, the Francis Xavier Scholarship sends promising Australian Indigenous students to Rome. Established by the Australian Catholic University and supported by the Australian Embassy to the Holy See, this scholarship honors Francis Xavier Conaci, a 19th-century Australian Aboriginal youth who tragically passed away in Rome while training as a monk.
This year’s awardees, Zane Ratcliff, 23, of the Wakka Wakka heritage, and Ryan St. John, 21, of Gamilaroi descent, are currently pursuing Bachelor’s degrees in Education at the Australian Catholic University. During their stay in Rome, they are also studying Catholic Social Teaching at ACU’s campus in the city.
“I am deeply passionate about Indigenous education,” Ratcliff emphasized to Vatican News. He envisions leveraging his experience in Rome to enhance educational outcomes within his community, acknowledging current educational disparities among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations.
St. John, who currently serves as a First Nations support officer at a primary school, intends to continue nurturing young minds and fostering cultural connections post-graduation.
Australian Ambassador to the Holy See, Chiara Porro, highlighted the significance of NAIDOC Week during a recent event celebrating Ratcliff and St. John’s heritage and achievements. She underscored Pope Francis’s advocacy for Indigenous rights, referencing his 2022 visit to Canada, where he apologized for historical injustices against Indigenous peoples.
As Ratcliff and St. John performed traditional Wakka Wakka dances at the Australian Embassy to the Holy See, their journey exemplified resilience, cultural pride, and a commitment to educational equity within Australia’s Indigenous communities.
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