The Pat Turner scholarship program is bridging now to next for the Australian Public Service (APS) and enabling Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership and perspectives in decision-making.

For National Reconciliation Week 2025, Reconciliation Australia encourages all Australians to step forward together, to look ahead and continue the push forward as past lessons guide us.

Sir Roland Wilson Foundation Executive Director Rebecca Gibb says the Pat Turner scholarships are making an impact, contributing to greater Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation and retention across the APS.

“Pat Turner alumni are returning to the public service with new knowledge, critical analytical skills and a network of connections to support their plans for long-term contributions to the APS,” Rebecca said.

The Sir Roland Wilson and Pat Turner scholarship programs address the need to develop research and leadership capability within the APS and embed connections between the APS and academia.

“Since 2018, the Sir Roland Wilson Foundation has awarded 40 Pat Turner scholarships to 37 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander APS employees from 14 agencies.

“Fifteen Pat Turner scholarship alumni have now returned to the APS and are sharing their skills and expertise – many of them in leadership roles.

“Pat Turner scholarship alumni are making important connections between academic research and the APS, including in employment and workplace relations, education and research policy, foreign affairs and defence.”

The Pat Turner scholarship is a one-to-three-year, full-pay scholarship for any level of postgraduate study at The Australian National University or Charles Darwin University for high performing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander APS4 to SES Band 1 Australian Public Service employees.

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Image: collage of photos by Kelly Chen Photography and Adam McGrath/HCreations