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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 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 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 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 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.

Ocea Curtis is a talented young Indigenous surfer Lennox Head, NSW, competing on the World Surf League (WSL) Pro Junior circuit. At just 17 years old, she achieved an impressive fifth-place finish in the Under 18s Australian division 2025 rankings while continuing to compete against some of the country's top junior surfers.

With support from the Calleo Indigenous Community Fund, Ocea has been able to pursue her goal of becoming a professional surfer, helping to ease some of the costs associated with training, travel and competing at elite events across Australia and internationally. Throughout 2025, she celebrated several outstanding achievements, including winning the Occy Billabong 10 Star event on the Gold Coast, claiming both the Open Women's and Junior Women's Indigenous Classic titles, and taking out the State Titles, where she was proud to serve as team captain at the Australian Titles.

Building on her success, Ocea enjoyed another breakthrough year in 2026, finishing No. 4 in the WSL Pro Junior Australia and Oceania standings. Her season highlight was claiming victory at the North Narrabeen Pro Junior, a significant achievement against a highly competitive field and a testament to her dedication and hard work.

William is an Indigenous student based in Queensland who is currently unable to attend mainstream schooling due to complex mental health challenges and school refusal. 

With support from the Calleo Indigenous Community Fund (CICF), William has been able to continue his education through one-on-one tutoring with Theo from Need-a-Tutor. At a time when attending school has not been possible, the tutoring has provided an important connection to learning, helping him stay engaged with his education and maintain his progress.

William's grandmother and carer has seen the difference this support has made firsthand:

"If it was not for his tutoring with Theo, William would not be accessing education and learning at all. It has been frustrating, and we hope to get William back into mainstream schooling as soon as we can, but in the interim, this tutoring has been an actual lifesaver for us. Thank you."

Now in his third year of tutoring, William's journey highlights the value of flexible, individualised educational support. Through CICF's assistance, he has been able to continue learning while working towards the longer-term goal of returning to mainstream schooling.

Due to privacy constraints, this individual's identity has been anonymised.

Karinya House provides 24/7, year-round support to women who are pregnant or parenting a baby and experiencing challenges such as homelessness, gender-based violence, complex mental health issues, financial pressures, and limited support networks. Support from the CICF has enabled Karinya to employ identified Aboriginal Support Workers who provide practical and emotional assistance.

Approximately 18% of women supported by Karinya identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. Many of these women highlighted the positive impact of working with Aboriginal Support Workers, and reported a stronger sense of cultural safety. Having support from Aboriginal women with lived experience of motherhood helps strengthen identity, confidence and parenting capacity – particularly on days where the women are navigating complex service systems and issues, and feel emotionally vulnerable. 

“When I first made contact with Karinya, I felt I had no future, I couldn't see tomorrow. Now I am constantly thinking about the future I am creating for my son and I. Karinya has been life changing for me, the support, structure and boundaries, and the sense of safety were things that have changed my path the most" – Kara – Kamilaroi Woman.

Due to privacy constraints, this individual's identity has been anonymised.

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.”

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.”

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.”