Introduction

joseph-mcdonald

Josef McDonald

“I lived at Shalom College for 5 years. It was a life-changing experience for me. I had time to study hard at uni, in a racism-free environment in which Indigenous students can live proudly. Without this scholarship it would have been impossible for me to study medicine as there is no way my family could afford for me to live in Sydney.”

Dr Josef McDonald, Bachelor of Medicine/ Bachelor of Surgery. Master of Public Health. Josef is an Awabakal man and comes from the Newcastle region, NSW. He works for the Hunter New England Local Health District in Newcastle as a Psychiatry Registrar – his chosen specialty.

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LINDA KENNEDY

“Shalom Gamarada gave me a place to live and thrive on the campus. It helped me grow as an individual and professionally. Becoming an architect would not have happened without the scholarship.”

Linda Kennedy, Bachelor of Architecture. Director, Indigenous Architecture and Design, Victoria. Linda is a Dharawal woman and comes from Wollongong, NSW

teeyanna-tapim-savage

TEEYANNA TAPIM-SAVAGE

“Moving far away from home, finding a place to live and being alone in a new city is very challenging. Living at Shalom College I have a family away from home. It provides us with guidance and support, to allow us to focus on our studies and help us succeed.”

Teeyanna Tapim-Savage is studying a Bachelor of Law and Arts. Teeyanna is a proud Bindal woman from Townsville, Queensland and also has heritage from the Dauareb & Wagadagam Tribes in the Torres Strait Islands. Teeyanna is one of two Indigenous Tutors-in-Residence at Shalom College.

Our Scholarships

The Shalom Gamarada Scholarship Program was established to make a contribution to closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians through higher education and by increasing the number of Indigenous professionals.

A Shalom Gamarada scholarship provides the student with:

a supportive community of Indigenous and non-Indigenous students
a modern room
3 meals a day
study and common rooms
high ratio of academic tutors to students
academic assistance
regular study sessions
access to UNSW gym
team sports

And just as important, a true “family” environment where cultural diversity and academic excellence are encouraged and welcomed.

"Now I live on campus I don't have to worry about supporting myself. As I was unpacking my stuff into my Shalom room I just felt like - now I can stop stressing and just have a place of my own.

It really changes someone's life when they receive a scholarship that allows them to focus on their studies"

- Jenavive Westbury. 4th Year Arts/Law. Wiradjuri People. Bob Bellear Scholar. UNSW Law

“The scholarship, without question, has allowed me to stay at university and get on with my dream of becoming a doctor. There is no substitute for Indigenous health professionals from the local community who are known and respected. And I look forward to playing my part in improving Indigenous health outcomes.”

- Jason Sines. 5th year Medicine. Jason is a Bundjalung man from Ballina, NSW.

Measuring Success

Every year of each scholarship costs $24,000 per student.

And at some stage, through this site, or through meeting with you, we are going to ask for your support in helping to meet this cost.

So, is it worth it?

What do all the people who help Shalom Gamarada get for their efforts and money?

LET’S DEAL WITH THE FACTS FIRST:

From one scholarship in 2005, we now have 21 scholarships and 8 other assisted students in our college at UNSW.

A total of 77 students have so far been assisted.

25 students have graduated so far, including 16 Aboriginal doctors.

In this time, UNSW has gone from having one of the poorer Indigenous retention rates in Australia, to having the best.

Our students are achieving a pass mark of over 90%, which is higher than non-Indigenous students in long-haul degrees like Medicine and Law.

AND NOW LET’S LOOK AT THE REAL MEASURE OF SUCCESS

Dr Beth Kervin: 2009. Bachelor of Medicine / Bachelor of Surgery

Aboriginal Artwork: Aboriginal Artwork

Jenna Owen: 2010. Bachelor of Optometry (Honours) / Bachelor of Science

Dr Josef McDonald: 2011. Bachelor of Medicine / Bachelor of Surgery

Aboriginal Artwork 2: Aboriginal Artwork 2

Linda Kennedy: 2013. Enrolled in a master of Architecture at Melbourne Uni

Dr Jessica Webb: 2013. Bachelor of Medical Studies and Doctor of Medicine

Dr Khyarne Biles: 2014. Bachelor of Medicine / Doctor of Medicine

Dr Laura Fitzgerald: 2014. Bachelor of medicine / doctor of medicine

Aaron Collins: Bachelor of Social Work / Bachelor of Arts

Lowanna Moran: 2014. Bachelor of fine arts / bachelor of education

Jay Dargan: 2015. Doctor of Medicine at Western Sydney University

Mitchell Sutton: 2015. Bachelor of Medical Studies / Doctor of Medicine (with distinction)

Aboriginal Artwork 3: Aboriginal Artwork 3

Brendan Phillips: 2015. Bachelor of Medicine / Bachelor of Surgery

Justin Keevers: 2015. Bachelor of Medical Studies / Doctor of Medicine

The Graduate-Makers

The people behind our success

Our Scholarship providers

It is a great demonstration of the strength and value of the Scholarship Program that we have been able to attract donors and supporters like these. We thank each and every one of them.

The best way we can reward our supporters is by continuing to celebrate graduates who have reached their potential with our help.

WeThank

- Medicines Australia (2 scholarships)
- The Gonski Foundation (2 scholarships)
- Adolph Basser Trust
- Alan Joffe and Friends Consortium
- Baker & McKenzie and Friends
- Bernard Hendel Memorial Scholarship – private donor, Melbourne
- Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO)
- Judge Bob Bellear Memorial Scholarship – UNSW Law Alumni Syndicate
- Otti Windt Scholarship
- Private donor, Sydney
- Reuben Pelerman Benevolent Foundation
- JCA, V & I Newman Scholarship Fund
- All-In Family Giving Circle Scholarship
- Wolper Jewish Hospital Health Foundation
- Operation Kids Foundation
- Ilona Lee AM Scholarship
- Alan Joffe Scholarship

A difference worth making

“Only education can deliver the outcomes needed for an equitable society. Here we have a strategy which is making a real impact. Shalom Gamarada is showing what Indigenous students and graduates can achieve when they are given the chance.”

– David Gonski. The Gonski Foundation

“We are proud to be associated with such a remarkable program. It provides accommodation on campus with the support, the tuition, the “family” and the everyday essentials that make life at university possible and so rewarding. The success of the Shalom Gamarada Scholarship recipients must inspire their family and friends to pursue higher education which, over time, will help reduce Indigenous disadvantage.”

– Alan Joffe and Friends Consortium

“Not many scholarships work so effectively at so many levels. Apart from rewarding the hard-working student, this program benefits the university, the Indigenous community and society as a whole. It also brings great pride and satisfaction to the scholarship providers.”

– Ralph Pliner, Baker & McKenzie and Friends

Shalom Gamarada Indigenous Residential Scholarship Program

OurPartners

OurPeople

PATRON

Professor The Honourable Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO – former Governor of New South Wales.

TRUSTEES

Ilona Lee AM – Co-Founder of Shalom Gamarada. Chair of Trustees. Former President of The Shalom Institute and Deputy of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies.

Professor Lisa Jackson Pulver AM – Co-Founder of Shalom Gamarada. Pro Vice-Chancellor Engagement & Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Leadership, Western Sydney University.

Penny Hurst OAM - Life Governor and immediate past chairman of UIA NSW and Federal President of UIA Women’s Division.

Jonathan Leib - President, The Shalom Institute; Director of Development, Platino Properties.

Alan Joffe - Retired businessman and consultant.

Dr Josef McDonald - Shalom Gamarada Scholarship recipient; graduate of Medicine and Public Health, University of NSW. Psychiatry Registrar, Hunter New England Local Health District in Newcastle.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND SHALOM COLLEGE PRINCIPAL

Dr Hilton Immerman OAM - CEO, The Shalom Institute and Shalom College, University of NSW; Honorary Fellow, University of NSW; 2014 recipient Ron Castan Humanitarian Award.

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

David Spears - Retired Business Executive.

Be Part of Gamarada Success

Each scholarship costs $24,000 per student, per year.

Obviously, we aren’t asking everyone to donate that amount.

But small donations add up, and if you would like to be part of the success experienced by a young Indigenous student

Click here

If you are a company, large or small, which is looking to express your sense of Corporate Social Responsibility, or simply want to help a young person make their mark in society, this could be your first step towards enhancing Indigenous opportunities through a Reconciliation Action Plan that delivers brilliant results.

Click here

Whether your company decides to sponsor a student, make a sponsorship a gateway to employment or play an ongoing role in the success of young Indigenous students, we would love to talk to you.

To arrange a meeting, click here

“We can declare with confidence – and gratitude – that the program is not only an investment in each of the young Australian beneficiaries, but a most valuable investment in our nation Australia.”

– Prof Marie Bashir, Patron

FAQs

What percentage of donations received by Shalom Gamarada is allocated to student costs?
- Almost 100% of funding received from scholarship donations contributes to the student accommodation, meals, tutoring and support services. Our office and staff expenses are minimal, relying as we do on part-time and voluntary staff and shared office space. Website and marketing services are largely provided on a pro bono basis by our generous professional friends.

Does Shalom Gamarada receive any Government or University funding?
- Shalom Gamarada receives no direct funding from Government – State or Federal. We collaborate with UNSW Faculties and Nura Gili Indigenous Centre but receive no funding from them or any other university department.

Are the medical, law and other graduates under any obligation to provide their qualified services to their own original community or any other Indigenous community?
- This is not a contractual requirement, nor is there any express obligation on the Shalom Gamarada Scholarship holder to do so. However, whether as part of their training, vacation work or ongoing moral sensibility, most of our resident scholarship holders commit to work and projects within rural and urban communities. Most graduate doctors perform their internship and early professional years in public hospitals which serve the needs of Indigenous peoples.

The name “Shalom Gamarada” suggests a Jewish influence on this program. What is the Jewish connection to this program and are the scholarship recipients under any obligation to abide by Jewish customs or diet?
- Shalom College was founded through the goodwill and generosity of members of the Jewish community. But the college is non-denominational and operates as a secular residential facility and not-for-profit organisation. Residents include people of a range of faiths and our Indigenous scholarship recipients become part of a diverse and supportive community of students. A standard, healthy diet is provided in the dining room.

What evidence of Indigenous descent/aboriginality is required for students to qualify to receive scholarship funding?
- All applicants must meet the Commonwealth of Australia definition of Aboriginality which includes the following three elements:
1. Each must be able to demonstrate that s/he is of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent;
2. Each must identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person; and
3. Each must be accepted as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person by the community of which s/he is a member.

Contact

WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU

For further information, or to arrange a meeting, please contact:

David Spears
Director, Shalom Gamarada Indigenous Residential Scholarship Program
Phone: 0407 279 924
Email: d.spears@unsw.edu.au