Extending opportunity

Volume 7 Number 8 August 15 - September 11 2011

The BA Extended at the University of Melbourne encourages Indigenous students to stand proud and dream big. By Katherine Smith.

Research has shown that of all measures to address disadvantage in society, education is the game-changer.

Basic education is the most important but every year of education gained – including at tertiary level – has a significant impact on a person’s lifetime earnings, career prospects, social inclusion, and mental and physical wellbeing.

The Bachelor of Arts (Extended) program at the University of Melbourne has been developed by the Faculty of Arts to help bridge the gap for Indigenous Australian school-leavers who, although having passed year 12, do not have the results needed for selection into the Arts degree, but who would succeed in the degree with additional academic development as they transition support.

It provides a supported transition year which helps students get used to the university environment, living away from home for possibly the first time, and meeting a wide variety of new people.

“One of the most important things the BA Extended provides Indigenous students is a chance to bond with a cohort who meet together in class, in study groups and socially,” says Murrup Barak Institute Director Professor Ian Anderson.

“The relationships the students form during their years at university will stand them in good stead throughout their careers and lives, and create an important network and connections for the future.”

The degree begins with a transition year with first-year university subjects progressively added. There is also tutorial support and the Murrup Barak Institute provides Indigenous students with a community space to study and socialise.

Students live in the University’s colleges of residence during their studies.

Craig Torrens, Indigenous Recruitment and Engagement Officer at Murrup Barak, says the Institute is known as the third ‘home away from home’ after their family homes and college.

A Belaway, Bundjalung man from the northern rivers area of coastal NSW, Mr Torrens attended Grafton High School and says he always knew he wanted to do something that wasn’t trade-based, which would involve university.

“I’m one of six children and was the only one to have these aspirations. My siblings found it more important to stay up home and work in non-skilled jobs. My brother will come back to me sometimes, saying ‘You’re too good for us now’, but you’re not. You have to be sure of yourself and realise there’s no shame in trying to get an education, or to better yourself.”

Mr Torrens now goes out to schools to try to help Indigenous kids aspire to further their studies and go to university, and is also involved in offering advice when they’re here.

He himself studied Science, majoring in systematic botany, and says his best advice to any young student is to follow your heart.

“You never know what pathway is going to open up for you from what you initially study, so you just should take any opportunity and see where it leads.”

For instance once students have first year of the Bachelor of Arts under their belts, if they’re doing well it may be possible to branch out into other subjects or courses.

Lena Charles-Loffel is from Mooroopna, near Shepparton in Victoria. She completed year 12 in 2009 and after two years working as a gymnastics coach, applied for the BA Extended.

“My mum who had done a degree at Deakin encouraged me to come to Uni, and my cousin had just finished a law degree at Melbourne. She is someone I’d looked up to in my family since I was little, so I had a lot of influences in my family for the value of education.

“I live in Whitley College, where there are around 120 students. People there know each other well because it’s a small college. It’s good because I’ve never lived away from home before. There’s more support but you still get the feeling of independent living.

“It’s a great group of people doing the BA Extended. As soon as we met we formed a really strong bond from day one so we’re all very close. I wouldn’t have been able to walk straight into mainstream uni. I think this has set me up. It would have been too strange for me.

“At first it was a bit scary because I was from a country town but now I love it. I don’t go home so much any more. At the start I’d go home at least every second weekend. When I’m not studying I go shopping or to the movies, just the usual stuff. I took up ice-skating last year, not being able to do gymnastics any more, which I had always wanted to do, and which is really fun.

“Soon I’m going to go out to my school and tell the current students about this program.”

Ms Charles-Loffel says her advice will be to “Just keep focused, even if you don’t know what you want to do.

“Don’t stress too much about your results, because a couple of months down the track it will just be a number. Just take any opportunity you can and don’t stress too much.”

Deadline for early applications to the BA Extended is 11 September.

Find out more:
http://www.murrupbarak.unimelb.edu.au/content/pages/future-students
+61 3 8344 0451