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June 2025
As Semester 2 approaches, this edition of the IERC newsletter is filled with moments of pride, celebration and connection. We reflect on the success of Indigenous Winter School 2025, where over 90 students from across the country experienced the power of university life, culture, and community at the Bebegu Yumba campus. Their journey was filled with learning, laughter and lifelong connections – a true reflection of what it means to be part of the IERC family.
We also highlight the achievements of our students and alumni, including Wudarabin Snider, Tanika Parker, and highlight the recent On Country experience with Uncle Rusty, where IERC staff deepened their connection to Place and cultural knowledge. Additionally, we pay tribute to Dr Neil Dunbar as he retires, thanking him for his significant and lasting contribution to the Centre and to the many students he has supported.
Looking ahead, we invite you to join us for Welcome Day in Cairns and Townsville – an opportunity to meet staff, connect with other students, explore support services and enjoy a shared lunch. For those considering further study, do not miss our Postgraduate Information Session to learn more about Master’s and PhD pathways.
Whether you are starting your studies, returning for a new semester, or exploring what is next, we are here to support you every step of the way. Let us continue to grow together, grounded in culture, guided by community and united in purpose.
Come a long to our Welcome Day!
Prepare for Semester 2
Welcome Day is designed to help you feel confident, connected, and ready for the semester. You’ll meet our friendly staff, find out about enrolment, scholarships, study planning, and life on campus. Bring your family and friends – they’re part of the journey too!
Make sure you stay for our student lunch starting at 12 PM!
Where:
Nguma-bada (Cairns) Campus, IERC Building A21
Bebegu Yumba (Townsville) Campus, IERC Building 301
Time: 10 AM - 2 PM
We can’t wait to meet you!
What's Next after your Bachelor Degree?
Postgrad Info Session
Curious about either a Master’s or PhD? Want to know how you could make a difference in your field or community? Don’t miss our upcoming Postgraduate Info Session!
Hear from academic staff and current postgrad students about their journeys, learn how to apply, and explore the support available to you at JCU.
Where:
Nguma-bada (Cairns) Campus, IERC Building A21 - with a lunch from 12 PM
Time: 1 PM - 3PM
Online: Join us via Zoom: Click to Join
Password: 000136
Quick reminders - July
SEMESTER 1
Tues 8, Results published
TRIMESTER 2
Tues 1 - Fri 4, Lecture Recess
Fri 4, Withdrawal/enrolment Deadline
Sat 5, Trimester Resumes
SEMESTER 2
Mon 7, Applications Close
Tues 8, Class Registration Opens
Thurs 17, Welcome Day (IERC, Cairns)
Fri 18, Welcome Day (IERC, Townsville)
Mon 21 - Fri 25, JCU O-Week
Mon 28, Semester Commences
Pictured: Winter School Students - Allied Health
📸Image courtesy of the Indigenous Education & Research Centre
Indigenous Winter School 2025
What a Week!
This year’s Indigenous Winter School was an unforgettable success, with over 90 deadly students from across the nation coming together at the Bebegu Yumba campus in Townsville. The energy, pride, and connection felt throughout the week were truly special.
Students were immersed in all aspects of university life – from hands-on workshops in their chosen disciplines to academic sessions, campus tours, and staying in student accommodation. They experienced the independence of life away from home and gained a clear understanding of what their future at JCU could look like.
Pictured: Winter School Students - Earth & Environmental Sciences
📸Image courtesy of the Indigenous Education & Research Centre
However, Winter School is about more than just study – it is about mob, community, and belonging.
Through shared meals, cultural activities, dance, and moments of laughter, students found more than just new friends – they found family.
By the end of the week, the campus was filled with “cuz,” “sis,” and “bro” because at the IERC, that is exactly who we are – family.
Pictured: Winter School Students - Nursing
📸Image courtesy of the Indigenous Education & Research Centre
Pictured: Winter School Students - Earth & Environmental Sciences
📸Image courtesy of the Indigenous Education & Research Centre
To our dedicated staff, ambassadors, academics, and Elders – thank you for creating a space where students felt safe, valued, and proud of their identities. Your commitment and care are what make this program so impactful.
We are incredibly proud of every student who attended. You now carry a piece of Winter School with you, and we hope to welcome you back to JCU – not as visitors, but as future graduates.
Pictured: Keasharn Sands - Hart
📸Image courtesy of the Indigenous Education & Research Centre
Indigenous Winter School in the News
JCU’s latest media release covers the success of this year’s Indigenous Winter School, featuring interviews with several students and our Deputy Vice Chancellor (Indigenous Education & Strategy), Professor Martin Nakata. Click below to read how the program is helping students to see themselves as the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander university graduates.
JCU's Indigenous Winter School on Channel 7
Watch Channel 7’s coverage of our Indigenous Winter School program, where students explored uni life, connected with Indigenous Student Ambassadors, and took part in hands-on learning across a range of study areas.
Pictured: Wudarabin Snider
📸Image courtesy of the Indigenous Education & Research Centre
Meet Our Student: Wudarabin Snider
Studying to Make a Difference
I’m studying a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) and I am in my 2nd year of the Bachelor's and 3rd year at university, my first year was in a bridging course, the Diploma of Higher Education.
In school, there weren’t many Indigenous teachers. I want to be a role model for young Indigenous and non-Indigenous students. I am passionate about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education and I would like to implement this as a subject in school.
Uni Life: Highlights and Hurdles
My favourite university experiences so far include going on placement for the first time. I really enjoyed supporting the teacher in the classroom and helping the students.
It has been challenging to balance university life, but I have overcome this by creating a timetable to keep up with my studies.
Pictured: Wudarabin Snider
📸Image courtesy of the Indigenous Education & Research Centre
Connecting Through Winter School and Community
Being involved with Winter School means making connections with mob and understanding what university life is like.
IERC supports my studies by continually checking in with me and hosts barbeques to bring everyone together.
Words of Encouragement
Study what you are passionate about, and anyone can go to university.
Pictured: Uncle Rusty
📸Image courtesy of the Indigenous Education & Research Centre
IERC Staff go on Country with Uncle Rusty
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Place is not just geography—it is identity, knowledge, and law. Our relationships with land, water, sky, and all living things are not passive but lived: Country is kin. Country is memory. Country is story.
This month, staff from the Bebegu Yumba (Townsville) campus had the privilege of heading out to Guliman, Cape Cleveland with Uncle Russell Butler, Senior Traditional Elder of the Banjin and Warragamay people of the Hinchinbrook Island region. It was a day rich with learning, laughter, and meaningful connection.
Through stories, guided walks, and discussions, Uncle Rusty shared his knowledge of the land and its plants—from the waterproof bark of the paperbark tree used for shelters, to the healing powers of cocky apple, red ash, and gum tree sap, to the practical uses of black wattle, sapphire grass, and local yam varieties for tools, fishing, and food. We were introduced to an ancient "information centre"—a natural shelter marked by rock art more than 10,000 years old, mapping local food chains and welcoming travellers in need of fire, rest, or direction.
This was more than a retreat—it was a return to Place. It was a reminder that Country is our first teacher.
As Uncle Rusty shared, being on Country brings not only knowledge, but clarity, strength, and a sense of responsibility. It teaches us not only about plants and animals, but about ourselves—how we live, learn, and care for one another.
At the IERC, our work is grounded in these principles. Indigenous-led education starts with Place, and Place connects us to science, sustainability, and community in the most powerful and enduring ways.
We’re excited to share our short video with you below! It was a fantastic day, and one we’ll carry forward - with gratitude, and with purpose.
Pictured: Tjurtu First Nations Nursing and Midwifery Leadership Program at QUT.
📸Image courtesy of Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service.
Tanika Parker, IERC Alumna Leading Change
JCU IERC alumna Tanika Parker has been selected for the inaugural Tjurtu First Nations Nursing and Midwifery Leadership Program at QUT. As a Rheumatic Heart Disease Nurse Navigator, Tanika is passionate about returning to her community in a leadership role, advocating for culturally safe healthcare and systems-level reform.
“In every space I work, I strive to be a voice for positive change—grounded in culture, led by community, and committed to justice,” she said.
The program supports emerging First Nations leaders to challenge systemic barriers and lead with cultural integrity.
Read more: Walking Forward Together
Watch Jamie-Lee on The Point
Jamie-Lee Wiley, one of our incredible RATEP students, was recently featured on The Point (SBS)! In the segment Unlocking Education, Jamie-Lee shares her inspiring journey and passion for teaching.
With Gratitude and Love – Celebrating Dr Neil Dunbar’s Retirement
Pictured: Dr Neil Dunbar
📸Image courtesy of the Indigenous Education & Research Centre
This month, we say a heartfelt farewell to Dr Neil Dunbar as he steps into retirement. Neil has been more than a colleague – he’s been a steady presence, a compassionate listener, and a true champion for both staff and students.
He always made time for others, no matter how busy he was. He listened deeply, responded thoughtfully, and never hesitated to go the extra mile. His genuine care, especially around cultural sensitivity and student wellbeing, set a tone of respect and warmth that flowed into the IERC.
Neil had a gift for bringing the right people together – pairing students with the right person for extra academic assistance, making sure they felt supported every step of the way.
We’re going to miss him enormously – his wisdom, his humour, and the way he made you feel seen. But this isn’t goodbye. We love him, and we’ll be keeping in touch – just in a new way.
Expand Your Learning: Choose Indigenous Studies as a Major, Minor, or Elective
Explore contemporary subjects like People of Place, Knowledge, and Science to understand Indigenous communities and the living world. Whether as a major, minor, or elective, Indigenous Studies subjects equips you to succeed with a lifelong learning mindset.
Graduate Certificate of Indigenous Studies ENROL & REGISTER TODAY!
Ready to take the next step in your career and make a real impact? The Graduate Certificate of Indigenous Studies is now open for mid-year enrolments. This flexible, online course is designed for working professionals who want to deepen their understanding of Indigenous Knowledge and gain the skills to work confidently in complex cultural contexts.
By completing the full certificate, you’ll build cultural capability, develop critical thinking, and position yourself for leadership and postgraduate opportunities. Whether you're in government, education, health, or business – this qualification will set you apart.
Apply now or learn more: jcu.edu.au/ierc/study-with-us/graduate-certificate-of-indigenous-studies
Have questions? Contact us: jcu.edu.au/ierc/our-centre/contacts
Note: From 2026 onwards, this course will be delivered in trimesters – giving you even more flexibility to fit study into your schedule.
Make this semester your next move forward!
Stay in the loop with all the latest events, opportunities and inspiring student success stories! Follow JCU: Indigenous Education & Research Centre on Facebook and JCU_IERC on Instagram to stay connected, celebrate achievements and be the first to know about exciting programs and support services.
Indigenous Peer Assisted Learning (IPAL) - Student
Whether you’re studying on campus or online, our Indigenous Peer Assisted Learning (IPAL) tutoring program is designed to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at JCU - completely free!
Receive personalised, one-on-one tutoring tailored to your subjects and learning needs. Our Indigenous Academic Support Advisors work closely with you to match you with the right tutor, provide regular check-ins, and ensure you have the tools to succeed.
Take charge of your studies - click below to get started!
Become an IPAL Tutor today!
We’d love for you to be part of our family, creating a lasting impact on the future of our students.
Tutors play an essential role in helping our students not only improve their academic performance but also grow in confidence and their ability to learn independently. The dedication of our tutors directly contributes to the IERC producing motivated, capable Indigenous students with the tools and strategies to succeed.
Click on the button below for more details on how to sign up today!
Become an Indigenous Student Ambassador with the IERC!
Passionate about leadership, culture, and making a difference? Become an Indigenous Student Ambassador at the IERC for 2025! You'll welcome new students, mentor future university leaders and build connections through exciting events like Welcome Day and Indigenous Schools.
Grow your leadership skills while positively impacting your JCU community!
JCU Indigenous Student Association: Wadja Bimbi
JCU's first Indigenous Student Association on the Bebegu Yumba
Campus, Wadja Bimbi (meaning "good talk" in Birri Gubba language), meets weekly at the IERC.
Join them for group study sessions, and to plan social and cultural events. Follow them on Facebook for more info and how to get involved!
Secure Your Scholarships Now!
Scholarships can be a game-changer and now is the perfect time to explore your options!
Please see a list of open scholarships below or click on the button for more information.
- Name: JCU Accommodation Scholarship
- Value: $10,000 (one-off payment)
- Duration: 1 year
- Number Available: Up to 28 scholarships
- Application Period: Opens 30 June 2025, Closes 28 August 2025 (Midday)
AccessAbility Services
If you are studying with a disability, health condition, or injury - whether it’s short-term or ongoing -AccessAbility Services is here to support you.
They work closely with your lecturers and uni staff to make sure you have the right adjustments in place so you can succeed in your studies, all in line with national disability support laws. You can:
- Understand what support is available and how to access it.
- Explore adjustments and support during assessments and exams.
- Find tools and tech to support your learning.
- View accessibility maps and information on parking permits.
- Get quick answers to common queries
Click here to learn more!
Library Support
Not sure how to use the library?
The InfoSkills Toolkit is a self-paced series of modules to teach you the basics of searching for information, evaluating results and referencing.
Prefer to learn by watching? The Library Channel provides videos on unpacking topics and creating search strategies, searching databases, evaluating sources and referencing (AMA or APA).
Upcoming workshops:
Check out our upcoming research workshops, covering EndNote, thesis formatting and more.
How to academic articles
The JCU Library has joined the RapidILL network of over 200 libraries to provide you with articles and chapters around the world. Anyone with a JCU account anywhere can access it - at no cost!
It's super easy to use. There are a couple of ways to place requests. Check out our handy FAQ for instructions or help.
Need help with your GECO profile?
Contact the library to arrange personal help with setting up and publishing your GECO profile.
We want to hear from you!
Whether you are a graduate of James Cook University and landed that perfect job, a current student who has just completed a deadly placement, a proud parent, grandparent or caregiver, a teacher who just wants to share how passionate you are about seeing our students strive for excellence, or a community member who is doing wonderful things to bring everyone together to learn and grow with each other, we would love to hear from you!
Our community is important to us and your input, conversations and feedback will help us continually grow and improve.
