JCU’s standout Indigenous students recognised

This event saw JCU's Indigenous Education and Research Centre (IERC) recognise 25 students for their outstanding academic achievements, hard work and dedication to their studies across JCU campuses in Cairns, Townsville and Mt Isa.

The 2024 Indigenous student award winners came from a wide range of fields, with winners studying for degrees in Medicine, Nursing, Arts, Law, Social Work, Education, Veterinary Science, Sport and Exercise Science and Engineering.

JCU Deputy Vice Chancellor, Indigenous Education and Strategy, Professor Martin Nakata heaped praise on this year's cohort of award winners, congratulating them on the hard work and dedication they had shown.

"These awards are handed out on academic merit and all the winners have achieved fantastic results in their chosen areas of study," Prof Nakata said.

"All of our award winners should be enormously proud of their efforts, and they thoroughly deserved to be recognised at this great event in front of their family, friends, peers, university staff and industry leaders from across North Queensland.

"These students are excelling in their studies and I'm excited to see them progress and finish their degrees and go on to be leaders in their fields.

"They are role models for the next generation of Indigenous students."

The Indigenous Student Awards also honoured students recognised by the Murtupuni Centre for Rural and Remote Health (Mt Isa) and "Spirit" awards for the Nguma-bada (Smithfield) and Bebegu Yumba (Douglas) campuses.

"Our Murtupuni Centre award winner Tyeena Pang is an outstanding student who has showed real resilience and is someone who will go out of her way to help others," Prof Nakata said.

"Our Spirit award winners Florence Murgha and Retemoi Cook should also be highlighted, with their positive attitudes and willingness to fight through adversity a testament to their characters."

Third year Bachelor of Nursing Science student Tyeena is a proud Kalkadoon woman on her father's side and was born and raised on Kalkadoon country (around Mt Isa) while her mother's roots trace back to the Lardil tribe from Mornington Island, Gangalidda people from Burketown and Waanyi people of Lawn Hill.

She has hopes to pursue a career in paediatric nursing at Mount Isa Base Hospital after graduation and paid tribute to the incredible assistance she has received from her IERC tutor Catherine Seaton.

"I am grateful to the IERC for their tutoring program and to Catherine for her tireless effort and support," she said.

"A piece of advice I would pass on to other students would be to ensure that you are prioritising self-care. Uni can be a stressful time for everyone; therefore, it is essential that you also take care of your mental, physical, and spiritual health."

Retemoi, a proud Torres Strait Islander woman with roots from Erub and Badu Islands, is a third year Bachelor of Business student (majoring in Human Resources) with a deep interest in working within the aviation industry once she graduates.

"It's becoming increasingly clear to me that my true goal has always been centered around helping people," she said.

"Whether it's ensuring their safety in the skies or making their travel experiences smoother, my passion lies in contributing positively to others' lives."

There were also Higher Degree by Research awards that were acknowledged, SAGE award winner Linda Ford, Wadja Bimbi Award winner Ricky Emmertonand acknowledgement of HDR completions forSarah Burke (Master of Philosophy, Indigenous) and Tamara Sam (Master of Philosophy, Indigenous).

"Across the postgraduate research awards, it's clear that JCU is graduating a high calibre of Indigenous researchers who can bring a paradigm shift to shaping the future for themselves, their communities and their disciplines," Prof Nakata said.

2024 Indigenous Student Award Winners

• Jamie Daisy (Bachelor of Arts)
• Tenason Stark (Bachelor of Arts-Bachelor of Laws)
• Jalen Sewell (Bachelor of Social Work)
• Jessica Naudi (Bachelor of Social Work)
• Jack Handley (Bachelor of Education, primary)
• Brianna Knight (Bachelor of Education, secondary)
• Stephanie Luyt (Bachelor of Business, Bachelor of Laws)
• Cameron Humphreys (Bachelor of Laws)
• Talithia Rose Gilbert (Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Business)
• Thomas Wallis (Bachelor of Commerce)
• Keely Clemments (Bachelor of Pharmacy, Honours)
• Harrison Ladyman-Wightman (Bachelor of Pharmacy, Honours)
• Grace Reid (Bachelor of Dental Surgery)
• Leah Moncrieff (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery)
• Myles McKenzie (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery)
• Chloe Hancock (Bachelor of Nursing Science)
• Michael Young (Bachelor of Nursing Science)
• Ailee Hookey (Bachelor of Nursing Science)
• Jovyn Pitt (Bachelor of Sport & Exercise Science)
• Jessica Neucom (Bachelor of Speech Pathology, Honours)
• Rebekah McCann (Bachelor of Advanced Science)
• Mason McKenzie (Bachelor of Engineering, Honours)
• Loree Martyr (Bachelor of Veterinary Science)
• Jesse Rickard (Bachelor of Veterinary Science)
• Brandin Martin (Diploma of Higher Education)
• Jessica Renshaw (Diploma of Higher Education)

Spirit Awards

• Florence Murgha (Bachelor of Education, primary)
• Retemoi Cook (Bachelor of Business)

CSIRO Awards

• Mason McKenzie (Bachelor of Engineering, Honours)
• Laure Senor (Bachelor of Science)
• Kevin Lui (Bachelor of Information Technology)
• Chelsea Perry (Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management)

Murtupuni Centre for Rural & Remote Health Award

• Tyeena Pang (Bachelor of Nursing Science)

SAGE Award

• Linda Ford (PhD, Society and Culture)

Wadja Bimbi Award

• Ricky Emmerton, Doctor of Philosophy (Creative Arts) Candidate in the College of Arts, Society and Education

HDR Completions

• Sarah Burke (Master of Philosophy, Indigenous)
• Tamara Sam (Master of Philosophy, Indigenous)