Student Experience

Oorala offers a wide range of support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at UNE. This includes tutoring, advice and financial services.

About Oorala

Oorala Youth Program

Oorala runs regular leadership camps and UNE experience days for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander high school students.

Entry Pathways

Indigenous Scholarships

Teaching and Research

Indigenous Sashing Ceremony - acknowledging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students’ academic achievements.

What's On

TRACKS - Tertiary Preparation Course

A tertiary preparation course run by the Oorala Aboriginal Centre, UNE.

UNE Oorala Student Story - Dawn Lewis - It's a rare person that can't learn.

Dawn Lewis, a Woolwonga woman, had no idea where her university studies would take her. Reflecting on her journey Dawn comments that "if I'd known at the time what I was getting myself into, I wouldn't have done it." She now realises that she had no idea of her limits or capabilities and believes "It's a rare person that can't learn, you just need to find the right person to teach you."

Welcome to Country

Colin Ahoy - Elder in Residence

"The University of New England acknowledges that we are on country of the Anaiwan people. UNE respects and acknowledges that its people, programs and facilities are built on land, and surrounded by a sense of belonging, both ancient and contemporary, of the world's oldest living culture.
We share the caring of this country with the Gumbaynggirr, Kamilaroi, and Dhunghutti nations. I would like to pay respect to the Elders, past and present, of these nations, and as a descendant of the Anaiwan people, I welcome you to this country."

- Colin Ahoy, Anaiwan Elder, UNE Elder-in-Residence

Oorala Graduate - James Reid

The career change I have made in recent years has been the best decision to date. I am extremely proud of myself and the journey I have taken, the people I have met along the way at UNE and the wonderful clinical experiences I had throughout my studies, this has opened my eyes to the opportunities available.”

James Reid - Bachelor of Nursing 2020 graduate

It was really easy being an on-campus in-college student. The Indigenous Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarship took the pressure off and helped me to be more independent. I think there were a lot of opportunities available to on-campus students like sport, mentorship, events and I eventually got a job at UNE.

Noni Hawkins –Bachelor of Criminology 2018 UNE graduate and current Bachelor of Law student

I was the first in my family to attend university, yet even after being out of school for so long, I soon learned how to study and how the university process worked. I realised I had a knack for learning and I graduated with a distinction last year.

James Dries - Bachelor of Science 2019 graduate

The on-line tutoring helped me so much, it helped ensure I was always on top of content and know I was on the right track with assignments, and it made the whole experience less lonely.

Josie Tully - Bachelor of Business 2019 graduate

Contact Oorala Student Services

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