Yarns

Discover the people, journeys and achievements behind the impact. Our Yarns feature stories from scholarship recipients, community leaders, program participants and partner organisations, highlighting the opportunities, connections and outcomes created through the Calleo Indigenous Community Fund. These stories celebrate progress, resilience and the individuals helping shape stronger futures for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

  • Aphra O'Brien-Slade | Building a Future in Medical Science

    Aphra is studying a Bachelor of Medical Science at the University of Newcastle after successfully completing Yapug, a pathway program designed to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in accessing undergraduate study. Her dedication and academic excellence were recognised when she received the Yapug Award for highest academic achievement.


    As a recipient of the Calleo Indigenous Scholarship, Aphra is grateful for the opportunities the scholarship provides. The support helps ease financial pressures, allowing her to access essential learning resources and dedicate more time to her studies. By reducing the need to balance extensive work commitments alongside university, the scholarship is helping Aphra focus on achieving her academic goals while supporting her overall wellbeing.


    Passionate about her studies and committed to making the most of her university experience, Aphra sees the scholarship as an important investment in her future and a source of confidence as she works towards completing her degree.

  • Liana Campbell | Breaking Barriers Through Education

    Liana is a proud Wiradjuri woman and second-year student at the University of Newcastle, where she is studying a Bachelor of Criminology with a major in Psychology.


    Receiving the Calleo Indigenous Scholarship has helped remove many of the financial challenges that come with studying away from home. The support assists with essential expenses such as rent, groceries and study materials, while also giving Liana greater financial security as she undertakes placement requirements as part of her degree.


    Beyond the financial assistance, the scholarship has provided valuable encouragement and recognition of her achievements. It has strengthened her confidence, enhanced her wellbeing and motivated her to continue pursuing her academic goals, including the possibility of further study beyond her undergraduate degree.

  • Kyla West | Pursuing Justice and Creating Change

    Kyla is a proud Worimi woman and one of the inaugural recipients of the Calleo Indigenous Bursary through the Gallipoli Scholarship Fund. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Criminology and a Bachelor of Global Indigenous Studies at the University of Newcastle.


    Driven by a passion for public service, Kyla hopes to continue her studies with a Bachelor of Policing and pursue a career as a Detective in the NSW Police Force. The bursary has played a significant role in supporting her educational journey, helping to cover essential costs including textbooks, transport and other university-related expenses.


    The support has not only enhanced Kyla's learning experience but has also contributed positively to her overall wellbeing, enabling her to focus on her studies and future career aspirations. She remains deeply grateful for the ongoing support provided by Calleo Indigenous and the Gallipoli Scholarship Fund.

  • Jonah Glover | Balancing Sport, Study and Success

    Jonah is a recipient of the Calleo Indigenous Bursary through the Gallipoli Scholarship Fund and is pursuing a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science at the University of Queensland.


    Alongside his studies, Jonah is building an exciting rugby league career and recently signed a two-year contract with the Canterbury Bulldogs. The bursary has provided valuable support, allowing him to dedicate more time to both his university studies and athletic development while reducing the need for additional work commitments.


    Jonah has enjoyed a successful year both on and off the field, including being named Hastings Deering Colts Player of the Year. He is grateful for the support that continues to help him pursue his academic goals while progressing towards his dream of playing in the NRL.

  • Emily Sharp | A Journey of Resilience and Renewal

    Emily is a proud Arrernte woman in her third and final year of a Bachelor of Environmental Science, majoring in Ecology and Conservation, at Griffith University.


    Her path to university has been shaped by resilience and determination. After leaving school at a young age and later being diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia, Emily returned to education as an adult while raising her son as a sole parent. Through hard work, perseverance and the support of university accessibility services, she has successfully navigated the challenges of balancing study, family and personal commitments.

    As a recipient of the Calleo Indigenous Scholarship, Emily has been able to reduce financial pressures and focus more fully on her studies. The support has strengthened her confidence, independence and sense of achievement, helping her remain on track to complete her degree.


    Looking ahead, Emily hopes to build a career in environmental research, working to support and empower First Nations communities while helping bridge the gap between Indigenous knowledge and Western scientific approaches.

  • Meet Aphra O’Brien-Slade

    Aphra is currently in her second year of a Bachelor of Medical Science at the University of Newcastle after completing the Yapug program. Yapug is a pathway program designed to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people gain skills for entry into undergraduate degrees at the University of Newcastle. Through her efforts and hard work during the program, Aphra received the Yapug Award for highest academic achievement in Yapug.


    As a recipient of the Calleo Indigenous Scholarship, Aphra is so grateful for the impact this scholarship will make in her life.


    “A scholarship will benefit me in numerous ways, not only financially, but also by boosting my confidence as I pursue my degree. My degree requires a significant amount of resources that I am unable to afford, which is why a scholarship will help me improve my study skills and enable me to complete my degree to the best of my ability.


    I’ll have access to resources such as Osmosis, which provides useful video resources to assist me in comprehending various topics, which typically require a visual approach. It will relieve some of the stress associated with work and allow me to devote more time to my studies. I’ll be able to study from home with adequate resources and help reduce physical and mental exhaustion. It will benefit my physical and mental health because I will be able to concentrate entirely on my studies without the added stress of a finance, long hours of work, a lack of resources, and not being able to reach my full potential.


    I am extremely fortunate to be able to study at Newcastle University, and a scholarship will enable me to thrive for success. I am an extremely dedicated student who enjoys both studying and being a part of this university. A scholarship will benefit me in numerous ways, including education, motivation, learning, physical and mental health, financial aid, and the ability to reduce work shifts to devote more time to study.”

  • Meet Aphra O’Brien-Slade

    Aphra is currently in her second year of a Bachelor of Medical Science at the University of Newcastle after completing the Yapug program. Yapug is a pathway program designed to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people gain skills for entry into undergraduate degrees at the University of Newcastle. Through her efforts and hard work during the program, Aphra received the Yapug Award for highest academic achievement in Yapug.


    As a recipient of the Calleo Indigenous Scholarship, Aphra is so grateful for the impact this scholarship will make in her life.


    “A scholarship will benefit me in numerous ways, not only financially, but also by boosting my confidence as I pursue my degree. My degree requires a significant amount of resources that I am unable to afford, which is why a scholarship will help me improve my study skills and enable me to complete my degree to the best of my ability.


    I’ll have access to resources such as Osmosis, which provides useful video resources to assist me in comprehending various topics, which typically require a visual approach. It will relieve some of the stress associated with work and allow me to devote more time to my studies. I’ll be able to study from home with adequate resources and help reduce physical and mental exhaustion. It will benefit my physical and mental health because I will be able to concentrate entirely on my studies without the added stress of a finance, long hours of work, a lack of resources, and not being able to reach my full potential.


    I am extremely fortunate to be able to study at Newcastle University, and a scholarship will enable me to thrive for success. I am an extremely dedicated student who enjoys both studying and being a part of this university. A scholarship will benefit me in numerous ways, including education, motivation, learning, physical and mental health, financial aid, and the ability to reduce work shifts to devote more time to study.”

  • Meet Aphra O’Brien-Slade

    Aphra is currently in her second year of a Bachelor of Medical Science at the University of Newcastle after completing the Yapug program. Yapug is a pathway program designed to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people gain skills for entry into undergraduate degrees at the University of Newcastle. Through her efforts and hard work during the program, Aphra received the Yapug Award for highest academic achievement in Yapug.


    As a recipient of the Calleo Indigenous Scholarship, Aphra is so grateful for the impact this scholarship will make in her life.


    “A scholarship will benefit me in numerous ways, not only financially, but also by boosting my confidence as I pursue my degree. My degree requires a significant amount of resources that I am unable to afford, which is why a scholarship will help me improve my study skills and enable me to complete my degree to the best of my ability.


    I’ll have access to resources such as Osmosis, which provides useful video resources to assist me in comprehending various topics, which typically require a visual approach. It will relieve some of the stress associated with work and allow me to devote more time to my studies. I’ll be able to study from home with adequate resources and help reduce physical and mental exhaustion. It will benefit my physical and mental health because I will be able to concentrate entirely on my studies without the added stress of a finance, long hours of work, a lack of resources, and not being able to reach my full potential.


    I am extremely fortunate to be able to study at Newcastle University, and a scholarship will enable me to thrive for success. I am an extremely dedicated student who enjoys both studying and being a part of this university. A scholarship will benefit me in numerous ways, including education, motivation, learning, physical and mental health, financial aid, and the ability to reduce work shifts to devote more time to study.”