It’s about investing in our Aboriginal community

Brisbane entrepreneur Simon Kalinowski is not the sort of person who sits back and watches the world go past.

His brief exposure to Aboriginal life some years ago was enough to motivate his decision to actively participate in – and contribute to finding solutions to – some of the problems affecting Aboriginal people, rather than sitting back waiting for others to act.

As a result Simon, managing director of Queensland waste technology company Mandalay Technologies, is funding a number of scholarships to enable high-ability Indigenous scholars to achieve PhD qualifications, and to deepen our understanding of how to support Indigenous communities to achieve equitable levels of safety and capitalise on their opportunities.

He is supporting the Mandalay Technologies Indigenous PhD Scholarship program, which offers stipends of $25,000 per annum for a maximum of three years full-time study at Southern Cross University.

Simon has invested his money through the University’s Gnibi College of Indigenous Australian Peoples, strongly supporting their holistic approach to community work.

“I believe Gnibi’s approach of addressing intergenerational trauma while building and strengthening the capacity of individuals and their communities is the best way forward,” Simon said.

“There is no quick fix. Aboriginal disadvantage has been entrenched for many decades and will take decades to reverse. However, the most meaningful and sustainable progress occurs as communities heal and recover, redevelop their identity, and move forward as one.

“What’s clear, above all else, is that change doesn’t happen while waiting for someone else to start first.”

Simon said he was impressed with the work being undertaken at Southern Cross University under the leadership of Professor Judy Atkinson but troubled by their lack of funding and their limited capacity to more fully engage in the community.

He believes that Gnibi’s approach to community recovery should be documented and published and that a broader discussion around engagement practices may improve the quality of life of our Aboriginal people.

Simon has put out a challenge to the business world to match his donation as generously as it can and to develop the work that Southern Cross University’s Gnibi College is doing in the fields of community recovery and higher education for Indigenous scholars.

Applications are now open for the scholarship. For more information contact Dr Jeff Nelson at jeff.nelson@scu.edu.au or visit the following webpage address: scu.edu.au/research. Follow the scholarships link to the Indigenous PhD scholarship.

Photo: Simon Kalinowski, sponsor of the Mandalay Technologies Indigenous PhD Scholarship program, which is now open for applicants.