News Story

Growing more Aboriginal health professionals: the 2009 Shalom Gamarada Ngiyani Yana Art Exhibition and show

Extract from MJA Article (Volume 190 Number 10 - 18 May 2009 p527)

"I don’t know where I would be — six years’ study is a long time — and the fact that I have had a home, with meals, on campus lets me do the job I have to do to pass my exams. I have been here for four years now, and I have had the time to work hard at uni, and work out where I want to go when I graduate. The scholarship — without question — has allowed me to stay at uni and get on with my dream of becoming a doctor. I really want to go into public health when I finish — and make a difference to my people." — Josef McDonald, fifth year medical student.

Josef is one of 22 Aboriginal students enrolled in medicine at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), and one of 10 students who hold a Shalom Gamarada Ngiyani Yana residential scholarship.

These scholarships are funded mainly from the proceeds of the annual Shalom Gamarada Ngiyani Yana Art Exhibition and show (http://www.shalomgamarada.org/). The art show is run in partnership with Shalom College, and two distinct Aboriginal units on campus, the Muru Marri Indigenous Health Unit and the Nura Gili Indigenous Programs at UNSW.

Read the full MJA Article by Lisa R Jackson Pulver, Professor and Director of the Muru Marri Indigenous Health Unit.

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Details of the Exhibition and show Open: 10am to 6.30pm each day from 19 July to 26 July

Address: Eric Caspary Learning Centre, Shalom College, the University of New South Wales, Kensington (enter via Barker St)

Art Panel: art centre managers from Peppimenarti, Yuendumu and Bidyadanga, 3pm Sunday 19 July 2009

Health Forum: 3pm Sunday 26 July 2009

More information: visit http://www.shalomgamarada.org/ or call Professor Lisa Jackson Pulver on 02 9385 1769.

*Weaver Jack, one of the prominent Indigenous painters from Bidyadanga, near Broome, who have achieved great acclaim since they began painting their traditional land. Their works have been purchased by institutions throughout Australia .The community will be featured at Shalom College commencing July 19th for one week.

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