Caption Shows Helen and John with Ms Anne McNally, the School’s Career Adviser who administers the scholarships and is the Club’s key contact person.
Our Indigenous Program started in 2010.
We are extremely proud of what has been achieved to date and the program now forms an integral part of our portfolio.
It all started in 2010 when our member Dr George Wilson, a Wildlife ecologist and Veterinarian, introduced the Club to the work he was undertaking in central Australia in developing wildlife management, resource management and restoration of traditional lands with indigenous communities. We became involved with one such project at Angas Downs (AD), a 720,000 hectare property near Uluru, Northern Territory which had been returned to the Imanpa (Anangu tribe) community as tribal lands. His work inspired us to participate principally in the emu breeding program, removal of camels, and protection of the waterholes. We also funded scientific work such as the acquisition of reptile cameras and other remote cameras. On several visits to AD we investigated and photographed previously undiscovered rock paintings in remote gorges on the property.
The success of the AD project became well documented and the Nari Nari tribe of Hay New South Wales asked the Club in 2013 to assist with the restoration of their tribal lands which straddle the Murrumbidgee River where their totem waterbirds are now endangered.
Rotary Scholarships for Indigenous Students at Hay War Memorial High School.
Since 2014 the Club has been providing four annual scholarships for Indigenous students at Hay War Memorial High School. Each scholarship is valued at $500.
Students are selected on the basis of scholarly achievement, participation in school activities, and need. The intention is to motivate the students to high achievement and further study.
The scholarships are administered by the school and are used to assist students with costs like school excursions, books and equipment, and other educational expenses.
In 2016 the Club organised and funded a three-day excursion to Canberra by Indigenous students from Hay and Balranald. Twelve senior high school students visited national institutions as well as the University of Canberra and the Canberra Institute of Technology.
Most recently the Club was represented at the Hay War Memorial High School Annual Awards Day in December 2019 by John and Helen Grant.
Top photo
Caption Shows John presenting certificates to each of the scholarship winners for 2020.
Big achievements in 2015.
One of the big achievements this year has been the establishment of two Charitable Trusts with Tax Deductible status to support our Indigenous Projects. These are The Canberra Burley Griffin Rotary Club Indigenous Projects Trust ( Public Fund – Educations) and (Public Fund – Environment). The first Trust is in a healthy state and supports two scholarships a year. The second will have a lot of work later this year after our next fundraising project.
The major projects undertaken in the past years are:
1. Angas Downs: Indigenous Protected Area; and
2. The Nari Nari Tribe of Hay New South Wales.
The club is funding two scholarships for students to undertake support in their studies. These funds typically fund technology for the selected students.