02 September 2019
When Wirangu woman, Susan Betts returned to study with UniSA’s Aboriginal Pathways Program she was charting new territory.
Despite being a successful artist and local businesswoman in Port Lincoln, the UniSA foundation program designed specifically for Aboriginal students, would give Susan the basis for more growth, more ambition and more education.
It was while completing that program that she was inspired and supported to apply for a Churchill Fellowship and on the eve of her departure, it is appropriate that she will make a presentation about the scope of the Fellowship to the local community and UniSA leaders in Port Lincoln today, Monday September 2 at 11.30 -12 noon, 86 Tasman Terrace.
Susan’s Fellowship will take her to Canada, the US and Peru where she will pursue the global significance of the Seven Sisters constellation in Indigenous cultures.
“The Seven Sisters songline is really significant for Aboriginal people here, but I’ve discovered many cultures share connections to it and I want to uncover more about those connections and reflect on how different understandings of the significance of this constellation informs and strengthens cultural identity,” Susan says.
UniSA Pro Vice Chancellor Student Engagement and Equity, Professor Carol Grech says it is delightful to see initiative and a passion for learning rewarded.
“It is inspiring to see how learning, and the encouragement to explore can deliver fantastic rewards, such as the opportunity Susan has earned by winning a Churchill Fellowship,” Prof Grech says.
“Education is transformative and UniSA has always been committed to reaching out beyond the confines of its urban campuses to deliver educational opportunities to students wherever they are through initiatives such as establishing regional campuses in Whyalla and Mt Gambier, study centres and outreach programs and through our UniSA Online programs.
She says, similarly, the Churchill Fellowships empower Australians to work with industry and community leaders from across the world, enabling the exchange of knowledge, technology and experience for the benefit of the Australian community.
“We are very proud to see how Susan has graduated from our Aboriginal Pathway Program and gone on to achieve such great success and we believe her enterprising spirit will ensure there is much more to come in her career.”
UniSA media contact: Michèle Nardelli phone: +61 418 823 673 or +61 8 8302 0966 email: michele.nardelli@unisa.edu.au
