Celebrating the Achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Graduates at the University of Adelaide

Fourteen First Nations students will graduate from the University of Adelaide this semester, and their accomplishments were celebrated at a special event hosted by Wirltu Yarlu, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Unit at the University.

It was a proud day for Professor Steve Larkin, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement). “Wirltu Yarlu is all about providing opportunities and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to pursue higher education, helping them achieve their goals, and seizing their dreams. Today's graduation is a testament to the importance of our job. These students overcome numerous obstacles and challenges to get here today, showing everyone that anything is possible if we set our minds to it and work hard towards a goal.”

For Dr Rebecca Richards, a proud Adnyamathanha and Barngarla woman from the Northern Flinders Ranges, achieving her PhD in Anthropology is the product of eight years of hard work and challenges. The 2012 SA Young Australian of the Year and Australia’s first Aboriginal Rhodes Scholar in 2010 was able to work with the Adnyamathanha community for her Doctorate research, getting the support of Elders and the community to achieve her goal.

“My PhD analyses how Adnyamathanha people are using photographic archives today, which enabled me to create an exhibition. I also examined Adnyamathanha's photos and histories at the South Australian Museum, which is all part of my PhD. I gained a wealth of knowledge from Elders and feel so privileged that my PhD allowed me to have that experience. This work has also enabled Elders to connect to young people, which will impact their communities for years,” says graduate Dr Rebecca Richards.

Rebecca will be the Mace Bearer at her graduation ceremony, a role reserved for students who have distinguished themselves through academic and other achievements. “I am now a Research Associate at the University of Adelaide and a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Swinburne University of Technology, focusing on creating a photo archive for the Ngarrindjeri people. My PhD has allowed me to expand my work to develop invaluable photography archives, working with different Aboriginal groups.”

As part of the Wirltu Yarlu graduation event, First Nations graduates are presented with a cultural sash to wear proudly over their graduation gown during the University of Adelaide's official graduation ceremony. The sash identifies their cultural heritage as Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, or both, recognising the importance of First Nations culture and its role in shaping the graduates' identities.

Jack O'Neil, proud Aranda and Yankunytjatjara man, was excited to receive his cultural sash. He will wear it at his graduation from the Bachelor of Commerce and Accounting. Jack is grateful for his experience at the University of Adelaide and the support of Wirltu Yarlu. “Having that cultural support is very important. Having other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to connect with while at University is key to success.” His advice to future and current First Nations students at the University of Adelaide is to “believe in yourself and know that the sky is the limit. You can achieve anything you want to if you put your mind to it. And take risks because you CAN chase your dreams.”

We congratulate all the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduates on their incredible achievements and wish them the best in their future endeavours.