At The Heights School in Adelaide, two proud young Aboriginal students are showing just how far a strong sense of culture and a little support can take you.
Michael Franey still remembers how excited the visiting Japanese exchange students were when he taught them how to make damper. He also showed them the traditional tools and weapons used by Indigenous people, let them try playing the yidaki (didgeridoo), and shared stories about First Nations culture passed down through generations.
“They absolutely loved it,” he says with a smile. “They really enjoyed playing the instruments and making damper with us.”
Michael’s classmate, Callan McInnes, also finds strength and inspiration in his culture, and he’s aiming high. He hopes to study astrophysics after high school and one day work in space science.
“I’ve always loved space,” Callan says. “As I got older, I realised I also loved physics. When I discovered astrophysics, I knew it was something I wanted to pursue.”
But it’s not just about science for Callan. What excites him most is how Aboriginal culture already holds deep knowledge of the stars, passed down through stories, songlines, and observation.
“I like that Indigenous culture has stories about constellations and space,” he says. “So astrophysics feels like something I can explore both for myself and as part of my culture.”
Now, both Callan and Michael have been awarded the Dame Roma Mitchell Scholarship, a $2000 grant that supports Aboriginal students in Year 11 and 12 as they work toward finishing high school.
Michael, who is studying electrotechnology and wants to become a qualified electrician, says the support has already made a big difference.
“It’s helped me pay for things that support my education and future career,” he says. “It’s been really handy.”
For Callan, the scholarship brings him one step closer to his goal of studying a Bachelor of Space Science and Astrophysics at the University of Adelaide. And while he laughs at the idea of going to space one day, there’s a sense of real possibility in his voice.
“That would be amazing,” he says. “But we’ll have to see about that.”
Michael and Callan were among twelve Aboriginal students across South Australia recognised during National Reconciliation Week. Ten received Dame Roma Mitchell Scholarships, while two others — Latisha Elphick from Paralowie School and Nicholas Harris from Berri Regional Secondary College — received the Chief Executive’s Reconciliation Award for achieving the highest ATARs in the state.
Professor Martin Westwell, head of the Department for Education, said the awards are about more than just academic success.
“We want young Aboriginal people to feel supported and confident as they look to the future,” he said. “These scholarships celebrate their achievements and the strength they’ve shown to get here, with support from family, teachers, and community.”
For Michael and Callan, that support means more than a financial boost. It’s a reminder that their goals are possible, their culture is powerful, and their future is full of opportunity — whether they are working with electrical systems or reaching for the stars.
Source: https://www.weare.sa.gov.au/news/scholarships-help-indigenous-students-aim-for-the-stars
For more articles like this, visit: https://nicc.org.au/news/