VENESSA Williams Starzynski of Birkdale is one of 26 Indigenous students to win an Arrow Energy university scholarship.
Ms Williams Starzynski is studying in an honours program after completeing a Bachelor of Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art.
She won the Griffith Award for Academic Excellence for each of the past three years of her study. She also has been a Gumurrii mentor, providing support and guidance to other students.
She hopes to become a lecturer.
Arrow Energy spokeswoman Leisa Elder said that for the past five years, Arrow had maintained 25 to 30 scholarships, contributing more than $1.25 million in funding to tertiary education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people annually.
The program is in partnership with Central Queensland University, Griffith University, Queensland University of Technology, James Cook University and University of Southern Queensland.
“We believe increasing participation in higher education is one of the key factors in closing the gap and these scholarships are part of that effort,” Ms Elder said.
"The scholarships are worth up to $10,000 a year for each person's course and also include mentoring, tutoring and peer network groups so students have the support to achieve their goals.”
Other recipients include Elizabeth Mahon who is a nurse at Charleville.
“I’ve always wanted to make my family proud by being the first family member to go to university and to demonstrate that I can truly make a difference,” she said.
Others include Kulkalaig man from the Central Torres Strait, Geoffrey Lui who is completing business studies, Krysta Greer of Gladstone who is studying secondary education and Kamilaroi man and Dalby resident Lionel Cubby who is studying counselling.
Ms Elder said 10 of the scholars would graduate this year.
“Over the past five years we’ve seen some very talented students achieve their dreams – from paramedics to primary school teachers, from scientists to novelists – it’s fantastic to play a small role in supporting higher education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Queensland,” she said.
