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
WHY IS THERE A NEED FOR GAMARADA SCHOLARSHIPS?
Approximately one-third of all Indigenous University students drop-out compared to less than 20% for other Australian students. Further, the overall completion rates for Aboriginal students were only 41% in 2015. This is due to a myriad of factors including financial hardship and lack of stable housing as well as inadequate social and emotional support and a lack of cultural safety. Indigenous students often live far from campus and spend many hours commuting. They also often have to work part-time to support themselves financially and are seldom part of a “learning community” often being the first in their families to complete high school. The Shalom Gamarada Scholarship Program helps to alleviate a number of these problems by providing financial support, eliminating travelling time and creating an environment conducive to learning through tutoring and counselling support.
Parliament House event 2019
BECOME A DONOR
Each scholarship costs $20,000 per anum. Obviously, we aren't asking everyone to donate that amount.
But small donations add up and with low overheads the majority of the money will go towards supporting an Indigenous student on their journey at University. Graduating will change the trajectory of their life and will impact their family and wider community.
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.
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.
BEQUESTS
Thinking of Making a Bequest to Shalom Gamarada?
The impacts of education are enduring and we are grateful to those who have made a bequest to our program. If you are thinking of making a bequest our details are as follows:
ABN: 78 891 018 994
Postal address: Shalom College, UNSW. Sydney. NSW 2052
If you would like to talk about this please contact our Executive Director, Gina Cohen
gina@shalomgamarada.org
HOW WE
MEASURE SUCCESS
64
GRADUATES
28
CURRENT STUDENTS
90%
ANNUAL PASS RATE
17
YEARS OF SUCCESS
70%
GRADUATION RATE
10%
UNSW LAW GRADUATES ARE INDIGENOUS
IN PERSON
Please Contact
Gina Cohen
Executive Director
Email: gina@shalomgamarada.org
Phone: 0428 440 344
OVER THE PHONE
It's easy to donate offline too.
Tel: 9381 4000