Our Story
The Oakleigh Foundation gives Indigenous Australians an opportunity to continue the education journey from school, to university and into the professions.
Opportunity
The Oakleigh Foundation was established in 2011 to provide academic university scholarships for young Indigenous Australians. Since 2011, the Foundation has supported over 30 scholars throughout Australia.
Support
We provide our scholars with financial support and individual mentoring to help them make a successful transition from school, through a leading university, and into the professional workforce.
Vision
Our vision is to see more Indigenous Australians joining the ranks of the professions. Ultimately, we would like to see more Indigenous Australians appointed to leadership roles in business, government and the community.
Key drivers for success
Over the last 14 years our guiding philosophies, the work with our university partners, and our mentoring of the students has allowed us to build, road-test and evolve a framework that we think maximises each student’s chance of progressing through and completing university.
Selection
It is important that we select students who have what it takes to get through demanding courses at university.
Support
Like all university students looking to do well in demanding courses, our scholars require targeted support at university. But for Indigenous students it is important to ensure they have sufficient financial, academic and family support.
Mentoring
Our scholars truly value the mentorship of our program. The Oakleigh Foundation’s mentors provide encouragement, advice and guidance for each scholar according to his or her particular needs. The relationship is one of mutual respect.
Supporting our scholars
Like all university students looking to do well in demanding courses, our scholars require lots of support at university. But for Indigenous students it is important to ensure they have sufficient financial, academic and family support.
Financial support
- The majority of our scholars require significant financial support.
- Our scholars typically qualify for government financial assistance, including Abstudy and the Indigenous Students Success Program.
- The Foundation’s scholarship is a ‘merit and equity’ based scholarship and does not impact the scholars’ entitlement to government financial assistance.
Academic support
- The Foundation has partnered with Universities that have strong and pro-active Indigenous Support Centres.
- The staff in these centres have the knowledge, experience and skills to assist and guide our scholars through their academic journey.
Family support
- The support of the scholars’ family is crucial in progressing through university.
- Many of our scholars are the first member of their family to attend university and they find solace and comfort in the support they receive from their families.
Mentoring our scholars
Our scholars truly value the mentorship of our program. Our mentors provide encouragement, advice and guidance for each scholar according to his or her particular needs. The relationship is one of mutual respect.
Coursework
- There are many options and decisions in relation to a scholar’s course which can positively impact the likelihood of success, including subject selection, course workload, lecture timetable and tutorial assistance.
- Our scholars look to our mentors for advice and guidance with these critical decisions.
Life at university
- We encourage our scholars to enjoy University life.
- However there are some important decisions which can positively impact the likelihood of success, including getting the right balance between part-time work and study, ensuring the living and accommodation options are conducive to study.
Career options
- We encourage our scholars to pursue their passion and dreams including making the right choices in relation to internships, vacation jobs and graduate employment.
- Our mentors work closely with each scholar to identify good job opportunities and introduce our scholars to professional jobs in leading organisations.