Walanga Muru is a unique space at Macquarie that provides pathways to university and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. ‘Walanga Muru’ means ‘follow your path’ and the program has a holistic approach that recognises cultural difference and offers indigenous students the resources they need to succeed.
Determined: Katelyn Mills at her graduation ... "I worked really hard to get here," says the Gomeroi woman.
Through the program, many indigenous students have become ‘First in Family’ to graduate from university, setting a path not only for themselves, but their families and communities too.
Katelyn Mills is a Gomeroi woman from Moree, NSW, and is first in family, having graduated from Macquarie with a Bachelor of Education. She moved to Sydney to study after being accepted through the Walanga Muru Entry Pathway.
“Being the first in my family to go to university makes me feel really proud. I worked really hard to get here and even harder to graduate,” Katelyn says. “Now that I have finished I hope to inspire individuals in my family and community to value and pursue tertiary education.”
Growing up, Katelyn says she was determined to achieve her education goals so she could return to her hometown as a teacher. After years of watching educators come and go in an under-resourced school, she became determined to do more for her community.
Support every step of the way
The Director of Walanga Muru, Dr Joe Fraser, says being first in family is hugely significant for students, and the program is set up to support them every step of the way, from entering a study program to ongoing contact and support throughout their degree.
Inspiring others: Katelyn Mills with Dr Leanne Holt, the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Indigenous Strategy, at Macquarie University.
“The pathways team has several strategies to expose students to Macquarie University programs,” he explains. “From the start of high school, students can participate in the in-school Culture, Leadership, and Scholarship (CLS) program, delivered by current Walanga Muru students and Pathways staff.
“In Year 11, students can also enrol in the Critical Thinking Course (CTU), which is a credit-bearing course at MQ. This opportunity allows students a first-hand experience of university study and coursework.”
Students who successfully complete this course with a credit or above grade can receive an offer to study at Macquarie. The third option is the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Entry Program (ATSIEP), in which students sit an interview with Faculty and Walanga Muru staff for entry into Macquarie.
It has shown me and my community that a blackfella from Mount Druitt can achieve his goals.
“Each year the pathways program is expanding and spanning our reach to students all over NSW. Excitingly, ATSIEP has had 124 successful applicants in the past two years,” Joe says.
Students in year 11 and 12 can also participate in Camp Aspire, a faculty-based camp where students are introduced to university life; this camp endeavours to prepare students for their first year of study at Macquarie.
A proud role model
Dewayne Trewlynn is a Wiradjuri, Kamilaroi, Anawain and Ngunnawal man who also graduated with a Bachelor of Education and now teaches in his hometown of Mount Druitt.
Giving back: Dewayne Trewlynn celebrates his graduation with family ... he says Walangu Muru provided a sense of belonging.
“Growing up I didn’t think university was an option for me; I remember mum saying I could go to uni and being shocked that was even a possibility,” he says. “It has shown me and my community that a blackfella from Mount Druitt can achieve his goals.”
Dewayne says Walanga Muru created a space where he met lots of new people, and other indigenous students from all over Australia.
“It was empowering to be with like-minded people who were also achieving their tertiary goals. Walanga Muru provided the social space I needed and a sense of belonging,” he says.
Dewayne now teaches HSIE at Hawkesbury High, where he is also the Aboriginal Education Coordinator. He says he is proud to be a role model for his community.
“It’s important to have more Aboriginal teachers, empowering students to take the risk and follow their dreams - explore their options, not feel limited to the environment where they live.
“I didn’t have any Aboriginal teachers throughout my schooling so I’m so happy and proud being a role model for my students.”
