Through the Sir Roland Wilson and Pat Turner scholarship programs, the Sir Roland Wilson Foundation is committed to achieving and enabling better outcomes for First Nations Australians.

For National Reconciliation Week 2024, Reconciliation Australia encourages all Australians to continue to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and explore how we can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

Sir Roland Wilson Foundation Executive Director Rebecca Gibb said now more than ever, it is important to centre First Nations perspectives in our work.

“Through our scholarships, the Sir Roland Wilson Foundation is enabling more First Nations voices to be at the decision-making table,” Rebecca said.

“This will lead to better policies, programs and services for all Australians.”

“Since 2018, the Sir Roland Wilson Foundation has awarded 33 Pat Turner scholarships to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australian Public Service (APS) employees across 14 agencies – including awarding nine scholarships in 2024.

“In the past year, three Pat Turner scholars have graduated with PhDs. Their knowledge and expertise are valued highly upon their return to the APS.

“We are pleased to see more Pat Turner Scholarship alumni joining and contributing to the APS Indigenous SES Network. Pat Turner Scholarship alumni are all making rich and valued contributions across the APS, including in employment and workplace relations, education and research policy, foreign affairs and arts policy.

The Foundation continues to grow its offering of First Nations perspectives for both Sir Roland Wilson and Pat Turner scholars.

“Last year we offered scholars a Ngunnawal language workshop for the first time, and in 2024, the Foundation added cultural awareness training for all scholars to the annual calendar of events, professional development and wrap-around support we provide.

“For the Sir Roland Wilson scholars, their time on scholarship is a valuable opportunity to learn about First Nations knowledges and perspectives they may otherwise not be exposed to in their work in the public service.”

The Sir Roland Wilson 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 APS employees.

The Sir Roland Wilson Scholarship is a three-year full-pay scholarship for PhD research at ANU for high performing EL1 and EL2 APS employees.

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Image: Reconciliation Australia