Indianna's story

The financial support has had a huge impact

We all know that if your heart isn’t in something, you probably shouldn’t be doing it. But what about the reverse scenario? What if you are called to a profession – aren’t you exactly the kind of student – and ultimately employee, if not person – we should be encouraging in the world?

Life isn’t always that straightforward, however, and there can be many potential barriers to fulfilling your vocation, which is why Macquarie University is making it a priority to support those for whom it will make a significant difference.

Students like Indianna Gay. Primary teaching has been something she has wanted to do since she was a primary student herself. As she explains, ‘I’ve always been passionate about working with young children, and giving back to my community and future generations through education,’ says Indianna genuinely.

And, she’s already making good on that promise – serendipitously, she is now employed as a kindergarten teacher two days a week where she went to primary school and first realised teaching was for her. ‘My principal has known me since I was a child and always believed in me,’ she acknowledges.

It’s not surprising that support from others can make all the difference. Now in her final year of a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education (Primary), Indianna counts the encouragement and assistance she has received from Walanga Muru – which seeks to support and assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at MQ – as pivotal to her university experience.

In fact, with support from Walanga Muru, Indianna obtained early entry to her degrees. ‘Right from the start, Walanga Muru made me feel welcome, comfortable and part of the community at Macquarie,’ she remembers.

Poignantly, in addition to pursuing units on Indigenous history and culture, Indianna points out that the team has also helped her navigate, embrace and celebrate her Wiradjuri heritage, which sadly is still questioned by many. ‘I have people say I don’t look Indigenous, or I’m only part Indigenous; they don’t believe me.’

‘But at Macquarie, no-one is judging me or my culture; there is no judgement,’ she says. ‘The support from Walanga Muru has helped me stand up for myself and not be offended by others’ opinions,’ she says without rancour.

Reclaiming her culture has been important to Indianna, as it was only in the past few years that she became aware of being part of the Wiradjuri clan from the Mudgee area. ‘My great-grandfather used to visit Mudgee, but my grandmother was never allowed to go with him as there was still a deep fear from being the Stolen Generation; her father was worried about losing his own children.

‘It was only later when we looked more closely into our family history that we found out about our indigenous roots,’ says Indianna, and you can see how much this blossoming of understanding has allowed her to embrace her culture and feel confident about her place in the world.

But the support of Walanga Muru didn’t stop there. It has also provided her many opportunities, such as competing at the Indigenous Nationals in Perth in 2019 and being team captain in Newcastle in 2021. There has also been practical assistance through scholarships that provided a tutor and funds for textbooks.

‘The support has been incredible,’ says Indianna. ‘And the financial support has had a huge impact on my life, allowing me to focus on my study and broaden my understanding of education, which I can now use in the classroom every week.’

For Indianna, everything goes back to how it can inform her work as a teacher – and benefit her students. Little wonder then that she was accepted as a recipient of a Way-Soranson Scholarship with the Crossroads Foundation in Hong Kong, teaching with the foundation for two weeks and sharing Australian and Aboriginal culture.

Unfortunately, the experience moved to research-based work online due to COVID, though there is a possibility she can still do work on the ground in Hong Kong. As Indianna explains, ‘I was collating current information on barriers to accessing education worldwide, which involved researching interventions from major non-government organisations (NGOs) and incorporating real-life examples.

‘My scholarship broadened my understanding and has changed my whole appreciation for education. I’m so grateful to the donors of my Way-Soranson scholarship; it has been such a positive influence in my life.’

In a country with a recognised dearth of teachers and a world that needs more understanding, supporting students like Indianna through scholarship is one act of kindness that has the exponential power to unleash good in the world.