Ma & Morley 2021 Digital Zine

digital zine 2021

Acknowledgement of Country

The 2021 Ma & Morley scholars wish to acknowledge that the University of Newcastle is located on the lands of the Awabakal, Biripai, Darkinjung, Gadigal, Worimi and Yuin people.

We would like to pay our respects to the Elders who have passed, for their shoulders we walk on, the Elders of today, for continuing cultural traditions and customs and the Elders of the future who are striving to reach parity in many parts of this country.

We pay our respects to any first nations person reading this as we continue to work, play and learn on this beautiful country.

We wish you to take a moment from where you are reading this 2021 digital zine today, take a deep breath in. Listen to the sounds of nature around you, feel the land under your feet, for this land you are on has been cared for and loved for tens of thousands of years. There is a rich continuing culture and history continually unravelling and evolving on these lands. We acknowledge that our people’s sovereignty was never ceded and it always was, and always will be Aboriginal land.

We are still here & still fighting.

Table of Contents

Welcome to the 2021 Ma & Morley Zine!

Welcome to Country ......................................................................

Table of Contents ...........................................................................

Welcome Program ..........................................................................

Podcast 1/2.......................................................................................

Catching up with Marli Wright ......................................................

Creative Chats with Jack and Tat ...............................................

Podcast 3/4......................................................................................

Virtual China Immersion ................................................................

Journals by Annie Simpson............................................................

Creating Change with Daniel Turner.............................................

Passing Plants with Georgia Young .............................................

Podcast 5/6 .....................................................................................

Exploring Twilight Coral .................................................................

First Nation's Fashion Emerging Entrepreneur...........................

Murrook On Country Immersion ...................................................

Reflecting on Leadership...............................................................

Podcast 7/8......................................................................................

Poem by Zoe McDonald .................................................................

Welcome

It was clear from the day of the interview that the values being sought are more significant than any other scholarship program.

The life-changing experiences you can undertake while being accompanied by a group of friends is remarkable. Despite our diverse background differences, we are united in the vision and goals of creating change and being leaders for good. Our impacts can hopefully be felt well into the future and beyond just what we experience during these years at university. Creating change has a ripple effect and can spread from this core of scholars to other circles, such as family, friends, neighbours, and many other communities.

The first profound experience we had was the initial two-day welcome program at Callaghan Campus for our incoming cohort of 2021 scholars. The event was planned and executed by the program team with the guidance of senior Ma & Morley scholars. It was extremely valuable to have the senior scholars welcome us into the space, share their individual reflections of the program, and hear their diverse stories of how they are all trying to live a meaningful life grounded in the program values.

During the Welcome Event, we participated in a range of activities. We listened to presentations from several academics, Elders and other university staff, but over the two days, two sessions really stood out to me.

Sitting in a circle among the other new scholars, it seemed we were all moved by their tone and the conscious choice of words. To me, it was clear that their various experiences were indirectly all saying the same thing. This scholarship program has had a profound impact on their lives and way of living now.

During the Welcome Program, we participated in a range of activities. We listened to presentations from several academics, Elders and other university staff, but over the two days, two sessions really stood out to me.

The most profound moment to me was the cultural sharing circle. This unique experience took place at the end of the first day. After dinner, we all gathered in a circle, and a profound sharing activity took place. Those few hours flew by while sitting together and listening intently as we collectively listened attentively to each person’s sharing.

It was fascinating to see what people hold dear and the reasoning behind each person’s stories. I was really impressed that so many people’s sharing focused on an essential element of their life and identity, enabling them to actively contribute to society. On reflection, the Cultural Sharing was really successful at getting us much closer to each other and allowing us to connect from the outset at a deeper level.

The second session that I really enjoyed during the Welcome Program was the digital literacy workshop. It was really fun and practical. The facilitator allowed us to create stories using their photographic projects on a range of social and environmental issues worldwide. While we might not all become photographers, this session gave us the tools to better understand how to tell stories.

I am confident that I will use this storytelling skill in my own life and work to create a better world. Storytelling allows us to better narrate our own experiences and effectively communicate and advocate, this will help us to become more active contributors to society.

The Welcome Program was truly memorable and the perfect way to begin our Ma & Morely Scholars journeys. Our experiences over the two days have brought us closer together. As we move forward, I believe all scholars will inspire other young people to contribute positively to the world.

As scholars now and into the future, we will proudly carry Jack Ma and Ken Morley’s vision with us.

Click the link to watch Maddy Brown's timelaspe video.

What a pleasure it was to be a part of the cultural sharing circle, sharing stories and witnessing each person being vulnerable. This stop motions reflection captures how beautiful it was to be a part of the cultural sharing circle and how the Ma and Morley family grew from this experience.

Cultural sharing circle

A space for vulnerability, each heart open to others

Glimpsing an inner story

Building bonds of friendship

A book capturing generations

A song to make you cry,

Witnessing a patchwork of lives

Woven together through Cultural sharing

Welcome Program article by Amir Zolfaghari Poem and timelapse by Maddy Brown

In episode 2 , we hear from Ma & Morley Scholars Clare Sephton and Tara Tolhurst. The pair first met on their interviews for the Ma & Morley Scholarship, and they’ve been close friends ever since. In their discussion, Clare and Tara reflect on what it means to create change in the world, how they hope to incorporate this into their future careers.

In episode 1 , we meet Wiradjuri men and University of Newcastle 3rd year medical students James Burt and Kieran Shipp. The two budding doctors discuss what it means to be a Ma & Morley scholar, ideas for how people can create change in their daily lives, advice for First nations mob thinking of studying at university, and their hopes for their future medical careers.

Kieran Shipp

James Burt

Tara Tolhurst

Clare Sephton

Marli Wright Catching up with

Ma & Morley Scholar Marli Wright is a proud Dunghutti woman from Maitland currently studying in her third year of psychology at the University of Newcastle.

While Marli is now more than halfway through her degree, she still recalls vividly how she wasn’t encouraged to consider university as an option as a teenager.

“Throughout my schooling, I was always suggested career pathways through TAFE or Indigenous traineeships, and that’s great for some people, but that’s not where I wanted to be. I had a fantastic Aboriginal support officer who showed me how to apply, and if it wasn’t for him, who knows where I would be right now? It only takes one person to tell you and encourage you to do something for you to believe it.”

Marli is humbled to call herself a university student, but she also takes the responsibility very seriously.

“As a proud Dunghutti woman, it is an honour to go to university purely because my family members and ancestors did not have the privilege and opportunity to study. Many of my family members still to this day are unable to read and write, so for me to be studying a course I once dreamt of is just unthinkable, and it’s because of them and their suffering I’m able to proudly say I’m an Indigenous woman who is attending university.”

Initially, Marli thought she might apply for a childcare traineeship and have a career working with children. However, the mental health challenges of First Nations Australians is an issue she has been concerned with since she was a teenager.

“I’ve seen family members suffering from mental health issues and not seeking professional help. This experience is something that made me further strive to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

So I was a first nations woman. I want to make a positive impact within this field by creating a voice for other indigenous people, and being an Indigenous mental health professional, they can come too ”

Starting university in 2019, Marli joined 29 other students as the second cohort of Ma & Morley scholars. While she didn’t know it at the time, the program would provide a range of experiences and opportunities to invite her to more deeply reflect on what it means to create change.

“This program has allowed me to believe that I can make a change, as I’m surrounded by many like-minded people who enjoy seeing people achieve. Prior to this program, I never believed that I could impact society.

Additionally, this program has changed my viewpoint on change itself, as I’ve always thought that to create change, it has to be done on a macro level, when any change, big or small, is still change.

Given this, I’m now at a point in life where if I can potentially change or impact one person life in a positive manner, that’s enough, and I’m a winner.”

The Ma & Morley program has been significant in Marli’s growth while at university. She has been lucky to always source a lot of inspiration for changemaking closer to home.

“The person I have always looked up to when creating change is my pop, Merv Wright. His mother forced my pop to leave his hometown of Kempsey, as she wanted him to follow his football career.

“My pop impacted many people positively throughout his life and made a change within society by changing the perspectives and attitudes of non-Indigenous people and giving his local Aboriginal community of Maitland a success story. I still frequently get asked if I’m related to Merv Wright and am constantly discovering news articles about him.”

Marli and Mia, Hangzhou 2019

Currently, Marli is working for Wesley Mission as a caseworker. In her role, she works with children in foster care and supervises family contact, and also observes interactions and parenting capacity. As a First Nations woman and a caseworker, Marli possesses both the cultural lens and the professional capacity that allows her to deeply understand the experience of her Aboriginal clients and the different parenting styles and culturally-appropriate behaviours. While Marli thoroughly enjoys her job, she is already looking to the future and considering what change she can affect as a fully accredited psychologist.

“This is something I find myself constantly thinking about. Given that Psychology is a 6-year degree, it is a lot of time to put your life on hold, as during this time, you are unable to make a full-time income and you watch people around you purchase cars, houses, etc. However, I plan on becoming an accredited clinical psychologist. I know in years to come if I didn’t, I would definitely regret my decision and believe I’m best suited within a clinical role.”

Marli realises many other young Indigenous women with similar experiences to hers might be considering studying at university.

“My biggest advice is just to apply even if people try to convince you otherwise, and believe me, some will. I’ve always believed I wouldn’t be able to attend university and was directed to alternate lower pathways throughout my whole life. Additionally, I didn’t think I would attend University because I couldn’t afford it.

However, there are many financial assistance options at the University of Newcastle. I was told that It is very unlikely for me to get the Ma and Morley Scholarship, and luckily, that didn’t stop me from applying because here I am three years later.”

Creative Chats Jack with

After meeting at the 2021 Ma & Morley Welcome Event, stage 1 scholars Jack Chambers & Tatjana Reid quickly became friends and were soon enough planning a creative collaboration.

Below is a Q&A with the pair below about being a scholar and their passions for creativity.

What personal experiences and values were important when you applied for the Ma & Morley scholarship?

Tatjana: “For me, the three values that were most important were growth, creativity & compassion.”

Jack: “Part of the beauty of the program that is great is you don’t need any specified experienced or beliefs. The only value that I can see as required is some sort of understanding of the world around you.”

How would you describe the Welcome Program in three words?

Tatjana: “Authentic, memorable & inspiring. The key moment for me was the cultural sharing circle, everyone was so raw and open. Everyone delved into their cultural heritage, I shared a Serbian musical instrument called the gusle. I shared it because music is a big part of our family and it has shaped who I have become.”

Jack: “Enlightening, powerful and beautiful.”

The friendships that formed at the Welcome Program, did they come naturally, or more evolve over the two days?

Tatjana: "The friendships came semi-naturally based on and around interests, and it wasn't long before we started adding people on social media. This really helped as I was just starting at uni. As I am doing a double degree in law and arts, it was really comforting meeting Alaya and Jacob, and on the first day was really cool knowing they're doing the same thing."

Jack: "I arrived a little late and was feeling a little scared, but once I joined everyone for a cup of tea at the coffee truck I immediately thought ‘this is going to be cool’. The friendships were totally natural, even though we were told to be together, we felt so naturally close. It was incredible how quickly we came together, we all felt so close and connected.

Where does your interest in rhythm, music, dance, and performance come from?

Tatjana: “One of my preferred genres of dance is tap. I find crafting my own mood and dynamic in tap dance so satisfying. I see tap as a really eloquent form of expression and a conduit for communication, hearing others tap together is like hearing people in conversation.”

Jack: “Music flows throughout our entire family, it has always been part of me. Thankfully my father is an accomplished yidaki (didgeridoo) player, I remember when I was 3 years old I went into his room and he was playing the yidaki and from then I began learning and I have been playing it ever since.

From there it got me into playing the drums, as essentially it is a drum kit played with your mouth.”

How did your collaboration together come about?

Tatjana: “This collab with Jack first started when we met at the Welcome Event. During the cultural sharing, he shared his interest in music and indigenous culture. Reflecting on my own Bosnian culture, such as our proud indigenous musical instrument and our rich history, I thought it could be really awesome to create something with Jack.

After the event, I messaged him and suggested we could blend our interest in music and culture. We decided to incorporate his music of drums and didgeridoo with my tap dance to create a special rhythmical syncopation.”

Jack: “In one of our chats at the Welcome Event we were talking about the fact that I am a drummer and she is a tap dancer, it was a conversation all about rhythm.

Then a few weeks later it was Tat’s birthday and I put a video on Facebook of me playing my new drum skins and she wrote me a message and said we really should do something together ASAP! We shared about a bunch of ideas and then we decided to meet in Maitland park and create something. In the end, it was part improvised as we recorded three takes, first I played the drums, then we recorded her dancing and then after that we recorded it again with me playing the yidaki.”

What do you think your collaboration says about the Ma & Morley scholarships ability to develop friendships between scholars?

Tatjana: “I think it emphasises how our unique passions and interests can foster collaborations & camaraderie which is central to the program. Ultimately we all have different personalities and interests, but pooling us all together can show harmony while strengthening our collective talents as we all work to create change.”

Jack: “The Ma & Morley program is exceptional at bringing young leaders together who want to change the world. A group of random people so quickly all felt so close, that was incredible. We didn’t know what was going on, we knew nothing, we just walked inand it all just happened. It is amazing the way this program can bring people together.”

Click the link to view Jack & Tatjana’s collaboration below.

In episode 3, we hear from Ma & Morley Scholars Leroy Reid and Muhaymin Khan. In their discussion, the pair share part of their personal stories before coming to university, their hopes as future doctors and rich insights into the Ma & Morley application process and what values are most important to them.

In episode 4, we have the pleasure to share a conversation between Ma & Morley Scholars and good friends Mitch Stanford and Yazmin Penn. Before coming to university, the pair have had a wealth of experiences and it shows in their conversation as they share stories of formative experiences, what they do to stay healthy during COVID-19 lockdowns and their thoughts on how they can better support others in their community. We hope you enjoy!

Muhaymin Khan

Mitch Stanford

Yazmin Penn

Leroy Reid

Virtual China Immersion 中国虚拟沉浸

The 2021 China Immersion was held virtually in the Council Room in the Industry Development Centre (IDC) Building. We had the privilege of having a tour of the Alibaba campus. It was great to see all the technology that Alibaba is developing such as a hotel run by robots and an ice cream truck run by a robot.

We also participated in discussion with students from the Hangzhou Normal University (HNU) where we discussed the following topics:

Group 1: My future career

Group 6. The impact of the global pandemic 我的未来职业生涯

Group 2: Being grateful

感恩 我和父母的关系 文化规范

Group 3. My relationship with my parents

Group 4. Cultural norms

Group 5. Modern Relationships

现代人际关系 疫情的影响

It was fascinating to listen to their experiences of what is normal for a Chinese student and learn how different are the typical expectations placed on Chinese students compared to here in Australia. It was also evident how intricate their cultural norms as opposed to here, where it seems there are much more grey areas of what is considered right and wrong. These conversations provided us with a fascinating insight into the hopes and wishes of a student group at a similar age but living in and studying halfway across the world.

We also had the incredible opportunity to listen to a presentation from Jason Pau. Jason leads the Jack Ma Foundation and has worked closely with Jack Ma for many years. Jason is an incredible presenter, highly articulate and a very natural storyteller.

I found Jason to be highly informative. He shared part of his own story and how he chose to give back to the world and use his strengths and talents to effect positive change, rather than pursue a successful career in the corporate world. This is how he has ended up being instrumental in leading Jack Ma’s philanthropic work.

Jason also showed us the Ikigai Venn diagram, which I found really profound. It is something that I hope to refer to often in life as I get older and consider my own path and how I am contributing to positive change.

Ikigai Reasons for being

what you are good at

what you love

passion mission profession vocation

ikigai

what you can be paid for

what the world needs

COVID-19 restrictions meant we’re still unable to travel for some time I found that the virtual experience gave me a rich insight into a range of topics in bite-sized chunks, making it easy to process everything.

We were able to chat with regular students in China and talk about meaningful topics. We heard a great deal about the work of the Alibaba organisation and the Jack Ma Foundation.

During Jason’s presentation, every value in our Scholarship program was emphasised by the work of the Jack Ma Foundation. The Foundation isn’t just supporting us, they’re also investing in the next generation of African entrepreneurs who are going to make an incredible difference in their respective nations and regions.

The Jack Ma Foundation is also supporting the work of the Doherty Institute in Melbourne. They were chosen for their commitment to the values of world peace as they advocate that all people across the world should have equal access to the COVID-19 vaccine.

Then there is the Foundation’s extensive work to support rural teachers across China, a massive area of importance for Jack Ma. He was once a school teacher himself.

After finishing the China Immersion, I went home and had time to think, process and do more reading which I may not have had the time for if I was in China. Although I would have loved to have been there this year, the experience gave me plenty of food for thought.

I feel more equipped to answer big questions like ‘why am I doing what I am doing?’ Or ‘What is my purpose, and how will it help other people?’ Rather than thinking about 'how can what I am doing help me and only me'. These are very altruistic values that I believe are timeless.

Article by Asher Jintoorkar

31

Annie Simpson

We chat with Annie Simpson, a third year Medical Engineering student and 2019 Ma & Morley Scholar. Annie’s creative outlet during quarantine has been her creative journalling, reflecting a number of different topics and themes.

Annie can you introduce yourself?

My name is Annie Simpson (she/her), I am 20 years old and am currently in my third year of a Bachelor of Medical Engineering. I am currently living on Gubbi Gubbi land (on the Sunshine Coast) but call a lot of places ‘home’. I spend my time living between here, Awabakal land when I’m in Newcastle and Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi land in the Pilbara of Western Australia which is where I lived when I was younger and where my family is currently moving back to.

Why did you decide to come to University of Newcastle?

The Ma & Morley Program is actually what made me choose the University of Newcastle. I was applying to all different universities across the country but had narrowed my choice down to Melbourne or Newcastle to study medical engineering as it’s quite a niche field. I applied for Ma & Morley never in a million years expecting to get it, so when I did I knew there was never going to be any doubt it my decision.

At the time of applying do you remember how you found out about the Ma & Morley Scholarship Program? What was the value of the program that was most important to you at the time?

When applying for uni I was in an eager search to find something bigger than me that I could be a part of. I was pretty sure I wanted to study medical engineering but the thought of just studying engineering and missing the opportunity to still connect with and pursue my other passions scared me. So my desperate google searches brought me to the University of Newcastle website where I deeply connected with the values of the program, particularly environmental sustainability and biodiversity conservation at the time.

Annie, what is the backstory of how you got into journaling?

When lockdown started, along with many people I was looking for a new hobby and I was wanting some creative outlet. I was inspired by someone online who had titled their hobby as ‘art journaling’ which instantly attracted me as someone who isn’t a big fan of writing (hence the engineering…) but I still wanted to express ideas on paper.

This article includes a series of journals, a number of which you created in response to Ma & Morley activities. Where did the idea of journaling after program activities come from? Is it a way of you processing/developing your thoughts or ideas on important topics/themes?

Yes exactly. All of my journals are based around some thought, idea or quote but some are deeper than others. They are based on what I am thinking about or feeling at a particular time so journaling after Ma & Morley just felt like a natural way for me to process my thoughts and capture that feeling or idea.

This journal on the previous page is really powerful. I assume it related to the rights of First Nations Australians, is that right? When was it made and was it created as a response to something?

This journal was made when the Black Lives Matter movement was really taking off in 2020. I was constantly thinking about it and made this in response to the protests that were happening all around Australia at the time. I was hearing people question why First Nations Australians were resisting authorities and though this quote was powerful in encapsulating the power of the protestors.

This design above really smart. I see the tiny human figurines included alongside elements of nature. What are you trying say here, is it about our role or position in the big scheme of things?

Yes, this journal is all about perspective and our role on the earth as change makers. Although loud and large change is powerful, we can all still quietly create change on a much smaller scale in our own lives and circles by changing our perspective and deepening conversations with those around us. I wanted to emphasise how in the grand scheme of things, we are all tiny people on this planet but we all still have a vital role and responsibility to take care of our own little bit of this world and the people on it.

This image is so powerful, where did you find it? The writing on the wall, is this yours and if so what was the context of your reflection?

This image is also from a magazine, which is where I get all of the images I include in my journal. I never print images; I just gather old magazines and books from op shops and take the images I like and reuse them to create a piece. I believe this image was part of a magazine article about the slump of office work, but I thought it would fit well with a context about picking up the pieces of a mess.

This journal was created in response to the climate crisis and following fossil fuel protests in Newcastle attended by scholars. I added the text “ the left are left when the right are wrong” to send a message about the atmosphere I felt at the protest being that progressive young people are being left to pick up the pieces and mess that the powerful right have left our environment in.

These two journals here are wonderful. So many fascinating elements, we just love the photo, can you tell us about the picture and the other elements you’ve chosen to include?

The photo of the girl here is actually from an Australian magazine that was capturing some photographs of children playing hide and seek, but it reminded me so much of myself growing up I had to include it here. I grew up almost permanently with bare feet playing outside on suburban Australian streets with my siblings and this photo really captured that idea of a young innocent girl unknowingly on sacred land.

I created this journal after the Ma & Morley cultural immersion to Murrook and it includes lots of elements I was reflecting on such as the land I have lived on and how we interact with country. It also includes a quote from Justin at Murrook, “don’t add fuel to the fire” . He said this when he was discussing how he believes sometimes you shouldn’t argue with people who don’t want to be challenged and educated and I found it to be a very wise and powerful perspective I wanted to remember.

I think this journal is the most powerful. The diary entry, the layers, the long woman character, it is really compelling. Can you share the story of when you prepared this? What was happening at the time, was there a Ma & Morley event?

This journal wasn’t created in response to a particular Ma & Morley event, but it was what came to mind when I thought of the concept of creating change. I was reflecting on what it meant to be a leader and a change maker and for me, some of the strongest women change makers that I look up to are survivors of rape and sexual assault.

I thought these images and test would fit well with the theme of young women creating change and breaking the silence about gendered issues and perhaps show the more hopeful side of the issue with empowered young girls. The journal entry behind was a way for me to express some ideas without it being read entirely by others but includes some messages and quotes such as “I was raised to be an independent woman, not the victim of anything”.

In your opinion, how can we deepen conversations? What skills have you learned through the Ma & Morley Program that have helped you to be a better listener, communicator?

I think the key to deepening conversations is being vulnerable enough to share your thoughts, but open and strong enough to be challenged and consider another perspective. Through the Ma & Morley Program we worked with Polykala to do some facilitation training and I really liked how the idea of creating a ‘holding environment’ was discussed as the most important thing in facilitating a discussion to make sure people feel comfortable to voice their thoughts.

Why is journaling an important outlet for you especially during difficult times like COVID-19? Annie, what advice do you have for others in regards to staying healthy and self-care during challenging times?

Journaling is an important outlet for me because it allows me to express my thoughts in a way that I often wouldn’t in a conversation. It lets me spend some reflective time with myself which I think is always important, but particularly in difficult times. My advice for staying healthy and prioritising self-care would be to find things that make you feel calm and healthy and try to integrate this into your life more often. It can be as simple as cooking yourself a healthy dinner or calling a friend, you don’t have to make it an overwhelming task.

‘Hope is not blind optimism. It’s not ignoring the enormity of the task ahead or the roadblocks that stand in our path. It’s not sitting on the sidelines or shirking from a fight. Hope is that thing inside us that insists, despite all evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us if we have the courage to reach for it, and to work for it, and to fight for it.

Hope is the belief that destiny will not be written for us, but by us, by the men and women who are not content to settle for the world as it is, who have the courage to remake the world as it should be.’

I first read this quote in 2008 when Barack Obama was running for the Presidency. It is significant in two ways. First, to create change, you have to convince others that the change you want to create will be better than the status quo. Therefore, you have to inspire hope in others.

Secondly, change doesn’t come easily. You have to have the courage to put the hard work in to see the change you wish to see. You have to ‘reach for it, work for it and fight for it’.

Creating Change

I hope to become a disability advocate to stand up for those who can’t stand up for themselves. I was born with a disability and have experienced the bureaucratic red tape within the systems set up to support those with disabilities. If a person who relies on these systems doesn’t know how to navigate them, they just chew them up and spit them back up, leaving them without the support they need. This is why disability advocates are so important.

I have always seen change as challenging to achieve. It requires sustained effort and perseverance. The experiences I’ve had in the Ma & Morley Program and the experiences I have had in my degree have shown me different ways to go about creating change and only strengthened my overarching belief in creating change.

I believe that a person can’t practice law without engaging in advocacy. Law is all about interpretation. Therefore when you practice law, you argue that the law should be interpreted in a particular way, and you have to advocate an interpretation favourable to your client. This intersection excites me because it means that there is scope to reach a just outcome according to the individual circumstances of each individual, which may need support from the government systems they rely on.

‘We must all face the choice between what is right, and what is easy.’

I resonate with this quote as each day as we face hundreds of decisions. As simple as getting out of bed is a decision. Some of these decisions require us to choose between the easy thing and the right thing. For example, on a cold winter’s morning where you have to be at the office at 9 am, the right decision is to get out of bed, but the easy decision is to stay in the warm bed under the covers. When it comes to making change, the choice between right and easy is even more present.

When you see that change needs to be made, the right choice is to act, yet to act requires hard work, effort, and persistence. So, the easy choice is to do nothing to achieve change and just ignore the wrong. I draw inspiration from the knowledge that you can secure change if you put the effort in and are persistent.

I draw upon another Harry Potter quote for this...

‘It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be.’

A person can be born into disadvantage or behind the 8-ball, but that does not define them or necessarily mean they are bound to continue the cycle of disadvantage. It is the choices a person makes that define them, like whether to do what is right or what is easy, which will determine what a person grows to be, not the circumstances in which they were born.

Kieran, James and Daniel at the Great Wall in 2019

We interviewed 2018 Ma & Morley Scholar Georgia Young to find out more about her time with the program, passion for environmental activism, and her new intiative Passing Plants.

Georgia, can you introduce yourself? Name, pronouns, the country where you live, what you’re studying, when you began as a Ma & Morley Scholar?

Of course. Hey! I’m Georgia. Some call me G, and most call me George. Any are fine. My pronouns are she/her, I live on Darkinjung Country on the New South Wales, Central Coast of Australia. I’m studying a Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) and I began my beloved journey as a Ma & Morley Scholar in 2018 when I began my undergraduate degree!

How did you decide on social work, and how has your idea of one day working as a social worker changed throughout your study?

Big question. I am not sure I have told the full (yet shortened) version of my decision to choose social work, but here goes!

I’ve always been interested in us humans – what makes us tick, how we relate, our mistakes, how we operate. I remember having a keen interest in psychology when I was younger. I had a few ‘psych for dummies’ and ‘100 psychological fact’ type books (that I only ever read parts of – the story of my life through schooling). I finished half of my Year 12 certificate, I did what was called ‘Pathways’ in my final years at school (that is a story in and of itself). I never thought university was for me. Ever. I thought it was a place that other, more capable people went.

I had some pretty difficult times in the five or so years between the end of my time at school and beginning one of the University of Newcastle’s alternative pathways into university – ‘Open Foundation’.

Plants

I have also seen and managed a fair amount in my life. Although I am incredibly fortunate and privileged, my life experiences likely shaped my interest in psychology and similar disciplines. Even in the end of Open Foundation, I still doubted whether I would do an undergraduate degree. It wasn’t until my own psychologist suggested social work as a degree that I considered it. There is no doubt in my mind that I picked the right degree (I also love Human Geography and Development Studies related disciplines, but that’s beside the point). I also did not cement my belief in myself and decision to do an undergraduate degree until I received the Ma & Morley Scholarship! Now, if I spoke to my younger self, she’d say, “Georgia, who? No, not possible.”

My idea of who I will be as a social worker has grown immensely with my experiences in the Ma & Morley Scholarship Program. I am involved at every possible opportunity, and I feel so honoured to do so. I gain something from every occasion. It has been so very significant to me, my journey, and the people around me to be a Ma & Morley Scholar. I feel that who I will be as a social worker, who I am as a community member, and as a person has been shaped by what I have learned in being a Ma & Morley Scholar. How fortunate am I to be able to say that sentence, hey?

As a natural people person, where did your deep connection with nature and plants begin?

My love and a deeper appreciation for nature and plants began with the first Program Coordinator of the Ma & Morley Scholarship Program, Jamie Pomfrett. Jamie began the program with the inaugural group of Ma & Morley Scholars in 2018 – my group. Over his time as Coordinator, he voiced his passion for our natural world, would tell us the behaviours of some plants and trees – even when he didn’t voice it, I think Jamie’s love and connection to plants and nature was obvious in actions.

When we met Jack Ma, Jamie told him that he “has not one, but two green thumbs.” My appreciation for nature existed beyond Jamie (I’ve always said the beach is my favourite place), and I love exploring the outdoors, although I’d say that I really didn’t appreciate what plants have to offer until I met Jamie. From there, my appreciation grew over time, and I’m sure it will continue to!

I also see us humans as part of the natural world. I think we often see ourselves as separate to it, and I think that is one way that we go wrong. Even in the paragraph above, it reads as though I am talking about something separate and disassociated.

The state of our climate emergency and lack of climate action showcases our grave disconnection. In school, I remember if people around me littered, I’d say, “we can’t do that, we’re killing the fish.” I remember caring about our actions and how they have impacts all around us.

Although, this program has fostered a much better understanding and a greater love through exposure, conversations, and workshops. It has helped me understand and appreciate that I actually know very little. There is always more to learn, and always more we can do.

What is the origin story of Passing Plants?

My house was (and still is) full of plants and my love had really blossomed. I also didn’t realise that there are many health benefits in getting your hands dirty and having green space. Plants are the gifts that keep on giving. There is so much to learn, but it’s also easy to get started. I used to feel like gardening, having plants, or anything remotely close felt like something other people did, and something too difficult to maintain. I was damn wrong. Once I said to myself, “Alright George, it can’t be that hard, time to give it a go.” I then fell in love and just wanted to share it! I got my mum into plants, some of my friends. I just saw how much light they can bring into people’s lives and into our spaces.

My partner at the time and I went for bush walks and on a few of them we found some painted rocks that said, ‘keep or rehide.’ We were so excited by them. Although, I thought about the impact of painted or coloured rocks on the surrounding environment.

Plants don’t have that sort of impact. As I said above, there are so many benefits of plants – emotionally, physically, environmentally. After conversations, ideas, excitement, passion; Passing Plants grew!

Passing Plants has really grown (excuse the pun) over the years and it seems you have too. What is your advice about self-care and placing healthy expectations of oneself when starting out at university and potentially as a Ma & Morley Scholar?

I, like a lot of us, have had a fair bit to manage at all different times whilst starting and travelling through my degree. Here are a couple of things I come back to:

I evaluate how much 'water is in my cup' and I ensure I fill up with self-care. I even like to picture my own 'cup and how much 'water' is in it. If I don't have a lot to give, or if I am running on low or on empty, I know I need to take a step back and re-evaluate what I need to give more or less attention to. I think about how I'm going to refill. Self-care is different for everyone, and necessary for everyone. It can be as simple as drinking more water, ensuring enough sleep, accessing supports, seeing a close friend, or saying sorry. Doing what feels good (sometimes uncomfortable, but still good), and caring for ourselves and our bodies. Self-care comes in many forms and I highly recommend exploring your own methods of self-care.

I follow my values.

I find that we often talk about following our goals, and I see great value in that. Although, I see much more in following our values. As I go through life, I have found that exploring, identifying and following my value set helps me realign with what is important to me and what feels right. Sometimes I even change course to realign. It differs with what I am weighing up, and the values I am drawing on. I also highly recommend exploring your own values and living in accordance with them.

What I love about coming back to my 'cup' and my value set is that they are, and will be sustainable. They are pearls of wisdom that won't lose their bang. I hope they help you too.

Love, George x

Georgia in her backyard garden, potting for Passing Plants

In episode 5 , we listen to a conversation between Ma & Morley Scholars Jasmine Stuart and Josh Koolmeister. The pair discuss what they're studying, navigating COVID and environmental activism and how it has shaped their passion for the natural environment. We hope you enjoy the episode!

In episode 6 , Ma & Morley Scholars Aleisha Bailey and Sarah Welfare talk about studying Law at the University of Newcastle. The pair share their experiences growing up in different parts of Newcastle and the Hunter, some of the challenges young women face, and how they hope to make change in the future. We hope you enjoy!

Jasmine Stuart

Josh Koolmeister

Aleisha Bailey

Sarah Welfare

Exploring Twilight Coral

Even though our oceans cover seventy percent of the Earth’s surface, the ocean floor is less explored than the moon’s surface.

New species are constantly being discovered through research expeditions, revealing some of the most alien-looking creatures on the planet.

The deep-sea has always been a fascination and a passion of mine, so I was extremely excited when the Ma and Morley team offered the scholars a live virtual tour of a Schmidt Ocean Institute vessel.

I was amazed to see the diverse range of disciplines in which the crew members specialised. Scientists, engineers, and even artists shared the responsibilities and excitement of the research being undertaken.

On this particular expedition, the crew explored the Ashmore Reef. It examined a diverse range of life, including sea snakes, sharks, rays, nudibranchs, and corals.

My year 12 major work centred around my interest in deep-sea creatures, focusing on capturing the bizarre beauty of abyssopelagic organisms that most humans will never lay eyes upon.

After seeing the realities of a deep-sea research expedition, I feel inspired to pursue my interests in science and art, and hopefully one day I’ll be on one of these vessels too.

Article by Elise Rourke

Photos by Subastian ROV/Schmidt Ocean Institute

First Nation’s Fashion

Emerging Entrepreneur

Renae Lamb is a 2019 Ma & Morley Scholar and proud Wiradjuri/Wongaibon woman, with a strong ancestral connection to her people is Central West of New South Wales. Renae now lives with her three children north of Newcastle on Worimi country in Swan Bay.

Before coming to university, Renae had been teaching Aboriginal dance in schools and other spaces. Through running these classes, she realised the power and potential for reviving culture and sharing it with others. Through sharing dance and spirit with others, she noticed the gap that still very much exists today.

Renae knows first-hand how hard it can be for First Nations children to learn and engage with education in a culturally connected way.

“I have worked in the schooling system for a long time, and I just kept seeing the same outcomes not being reached for our people. The school system is looked at so differently by many people to my people. For example, when looking at learning journeys or collaborative learning, our people have had those learning pathways for thousands of years. Yet, they’re not recognised within formal education. It is really frustrating.”

In recent years, her experience teaching dance had convinced Renae that she wanted to become a primary school teacher. Renae remembers finding study at school quite tricky, despite this, she was confident that coming to the University of Newcastle, she could get the help she needed to excel academically through Wollatuka and the Ma & Morley Program.

Renae hoped that being a teacher meant she could also bring that home and help them more as a mother to three young children.

“My parents couldn’t really help me with my schooling because they didn’t understand what it was that I was doing. I want to actually be that Mum that can help her kids achieve, we want the best for our kids. So that’s it, I decided I want to go to uni and be a teacher, be a proud Aboriginal teacher.”

In June 2019, Renae visited China on an overseas immersion trip as part of the Ma & Morley Scholarship Program. In China, she was able to visit the Alibaba campus in Hanzhou and learn first-hand about both the incredible entrepreneurial and committed philanthropic work of Jack Ma.

“As we walked through Alibaba, my head was just exploding. We all start somewhere in life, but we never know where it is going to take you. Seeing what Jack had created with Alibaba and the Jack Ma Foundation, it was just making me think I need to go back to Australia and do this for my people.”

On returning to Australia from China, Renae was inspired to invest more time and energy into the workshops and classes she delivered to schools and other community settings. Renae also began to deepen her artistic expression through painting.

Then in 2020, the global COVID-19 pandemic hit Australia. Renae, like millions of other Australians, was sent into lockdown. While this uncertain time was difficult for many people, for Renae, it allowed her to deeply reflect on what she wanted to do with her career. With this time, she realised that through her First Nations culture, she had so many opportunities for teaching and learning through dance, art, and storytelling. Then she decided that teaching in a traditional education setting wouldn’t be the best fit for her moving forward.

Then later, in 2020, Renae established her business, Midnight Dreaming . This digital platform sells her original artworks, art-inspired fashion and creative services, training, and workshops.

Excited and committed to this pathway, Renae then transferred her study from primary school teaching to a degree in business and entrepreneurship.

She looks up to Jack Ma for several reasons: He too, was once a teacher. He kept trying despite many obstacles and eventually reached a level of success almost unparalleled in the world. He also has a massive passion for cultural respect and other values that are important to Renae.

“In five years from now I would hope that Midnight Dreaming has some incredible art and lots of designer wear. I really want it to be an amazing global brand where our kids can dance and share their culture in Hangzhou or Disneyland. These are opportunities to showcase our culture globally and educate others around the world about our people.”

Armed with a business plan for Midnight Dreaming and an ocean of enthusiasm, Renae is working hard to grow her business between study and running a household.

Renae's artwork for Midnight Dreaming proudly displayed

Murrook

On Country Immersion

In April 2021, we had the opportunity to expereince a one day on country cultural immersion to Murrook Education Centre on Worimi land in Williamtown. Murrook offers a wide range of educational workshops including: dance, didgeridoo, food and medicine resources, art, beading and weaving and fresh water/midden site visits, to name just a few.

We started the day with a guided tour around the gardens and wetlands of Murrook to discover the traditional Aboriginal uses of the plants, including for food and medicine. We were shown how to use the plants to weave and make baskets to carry the food. Following the guided tour around Murrook, we participated in a smoking ceremony and a didgeridoo gathering where we had the opportunity to introduce ourselves as some scholars had still not met because of the restrictions imposed throughout 2020.

After morning tea, we participated in a presentation entitled ‘The Broken Journey’ which gave a confronting overview of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history of colonisation and assimilation and experiences of racism which remains entrenched throughout much of modern Australia today.

The workshop offered an educational experience that many of us had previously not experienced as primary and secondary curriculums remain ‘white washed’, meaning from a colonised perspective rather than an Indigenous perspective. For some of us, this was the first time we were confronted with the realities of Aboriginal Australia’s history.

After the presentation we enjoyed lunch together where some of the scholars connected for the first time and others reconnected after a long year apart. After lunch we went to Stockton beach where we rode quad bikes and sand boarded down the enormous sand dunes. At the beach we also visited a midden and fresh water site and learnt of the history and significance of the middens. This was a fun way to end an emotionally confronting, yet extremely rewarding day.

Article by Jasmin L'Green

“I used to think a leader was just someone who is kind or generous. But now I see a leader as someone who has a strong sense of integrity and their morals are at the forefront of everything that they do.”

Reflecting

Charli, who is an important leader in your life?

I used to think a leader was just someone who is kind or generous. But now I see a leader as someone who has a strong sense of integrity and their morals are at the forefront of everything that they do. And that’s something that we talk about so strongly through Ma & Morley.

When I thought about a leader, I thought of Eddie Mabo. I thought of his morals were everything to him, and that took him right through his journey of activism and through his 10 year campaign. His strong morals of wanting to correct historical wrongdoings were at the absolute front of everything he did and fought for.

How has your idea of leadership changed when you think of them?

Well, at first I was thinking really closely about leaders in my life. I was thinking about my family, and my dad and my grandfather were the first people that came to mind. I think I naturally viewed them as leaders because of their roles in our families.

But when I really stopped and thought about the qualities that actually make people good leaders and strong leaders that influence change, that’s when I realised how my perception of change had grown. I started to think about what are the characteristics of people that actually influence positive change? It was that thought process that actually helped me arrive at Eddie Mabo.

on Leadership

You talked about taking the back seat and being a leader in that way, why is it important that leaders come in different shapes and sizes?

I think that sometimes it’s important to lead absolutely from the front forward. To show an example again, in the case of Eddie Mabo, he completely led from the front at the start. And then when he got people behind him and things had momentum, it wasn’t that he took a step back, but more a small one to the side.

I think when you step to the side a little bit as a leader, you get more perspectives from other people and then there is a more well-rounded understanding of what the goal is. I don’t think you get that by just purely leading from the front all the time, I think it’s important to move around in that sort of leadership role.

Since becoming a Ma & Morley Scholar, has your idea of how you want to create change in the world grown or developed?

It’s certainly grown and developed in the sense that I’ve learned that you can make change in such small ways. Now I understand the power that I will have in the classroom as a future teacher and also the power that I have in relationship with people, whether that be my friends and my family.

I think being with all the other scholars you also practically realise that leadership and change comes in so many different forms. You get to see all these scholars are involved in different areas and they’re all facilitating change. It's really inspiring.

Do you want to grow as a leader and how do you think it can help you in life and with creating change?

I want to grow as a leader, to me that’s important. You can’t stay stagnant because life’s not stagnant. Life is dynamic and you need to grow with it.

Jack Ma speaks at the Alibaba HQ in Hangzhou, 2019

In episode 7 , Ma & Morley Scholars, Bryson Douglas and Sam Clifton discuss the importance of creating and maintaining safe spaces for diverse communities, the importance of the Ma & Morley Scholarship Program during COVID-19 and their advice for others considering applying for the scholarship. Stay tuned!

Kayden Roberts-Barker

In episode 8 of the Ma & Morley podcast, we listen in on a conversation between two scholars from Central Western New South Wales, Kayden Roberts-Barker and Sophie Welsh.

The pair share their experiences growing up in rural Australia, including why they love the country and what were some of the challenges along the way. The dynamic duo provide a rich insight into the Ma & Morley Scholarship Program and how it has impacted them, particularly regarding leadership.

Sam Clifton

Bryson Douglas

Sophie Welsh

I’ve heard a lot of stories about love at first sight, but please believe me when I say I didn’t feel it until I saw you here tonight.

Your eyes speak wisdoms in this strange new world where men are hated for loving men and girls hated for loving girls.

Hey you, yeah you. Your smile makes me whole, I can see it there, right there coming from the centre of your soul and sweetheart, you’re glowing.

Hey you, yeah you, with the mind that ticks and turns in different ways and feels the agony of watching our beautiful world burn, YOU. Yes you, there right before me.

I’ve spent a lot of my life getting trapped in the saga and drama of infatuation and temptation the things that make the universe grow into decimation.. But you. You stand here looking stronger than I’ve ever seen you now you’ve stopped listening to the lessons they’re trying to teach you.

You, there with your confidence again, you there with the heart that could win over a thousand humans.

I can hear the song still playing but it’s far away now, it’s far from the place I got stuck in somehow.

Hey you. Yes you there, in the mirror right before me. Look at you. Look how far you’ve come and how much you’ve grown. Hell yes sweetheart, we’ve grown into our own.

I love you, I love you with all your many flaws, with the scratches and bruises put onto you by the claws that humanity makes and breaks and takes. You. Us.. I love how far we’ve come. But the best part is that we still have so far yet to go.

So hey you in the mirror, don’t let yourself sink, you are the shining child of love standing on the brink of showing young people around the world if they how to love themselves first, then their own self love will grow. Inspire, desire to see your true self just like me.

Hey you. You're beautiful. You’re beautiful, you’re me.

Poem by Zoe McDonald

"Young people will have the seeds you bury in their minds, and when they grow up, they will change the world."

- Jack Ma

2021 Ma & Morley Digital Zine

In 2021, the Ma & Morley Scholarship Program has continued on strong despite disruptions and uncertainties. Between virtual cross-country meetings from Australia to China, immersive programs held in our own traditional lands, and collaborations sought out and formed through the bonds made by individual scholars, 2021 has been yet another year the program has continued to flourish. We look forward to sharing these memories with you in the form of this year's zine.