Ma & Morley Newsletter May-June 2023

What’s been happening?

13 – 14 APRIL

Leadership Intensive

Stage 2 Scholars participated in a two day leadership intensive, designed to question & challenge their understandings of leadership. Scholars explored an adaptive leadership framework, where they unpacked the difference between leadership and authority, and the emotional and social elements of adaptation. An interactive & fun two days- thank you to our wonderful facilitators Polykala.

15 MAY

Ambassador Event

‘Amplify your leadership journey’

21 APRIL Indigenous Immersion

Scholars from Stage 2 +3 met on Darkinjung Country for a one day on Country immersion to learn the stories of the beautiful Darkinjung area & connect with the local history.

An evening with Ma & Morley Ambassador, Kishaya Delaney and UON alumna & member of the University Council, Jann Gardner.

Kishaya & Jann shared their leadership journeys and tips on how to create impact in professional and personal ventures.

China Immersion 2023: Pre-departure sessions

2021 & 2022 Scholars are nearly ready to pack their bags for China!

32 Scholars from the two cohorts are heading to China on the 18th – 29th of June for an eye-opening & culturally immersive trip – visiting Shanghai, Beijing & Hangzhou (where Jack Ma first met the Morleys!)

Two pre-departure sessions were held to prep Scholars. In our first session, Peter Cai, CEO of the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations briefed Scholars on the importance of people-to-people connections between Australia and China, followed by International SOS (ISOS) who gave a run down on safety & security concerns for China.

In our second session, we were joined by the Confucius Institute, who offered some language & cultural tips, followed by Dr Corey Lee Bell from the Australia China Relations Institute, who gave a brief outline of China’s current geopolitical context.

The countdown is on!

Scholar Stories: Jasmine Stuart

“On Thursday I faced court for stopping a coal train along with 50 other people in April. We were hoping for no convictions recorded (a Section 10 for the lawyers amongst you) but ended up with convictions and fines which some of us will be appealing. And now as a convicted criminal I can say I've never felt more proud and certain of my actions. I've always been passionate about addressing climate change and been involved with various groups, but always struggled with feeling like nothing I did made a difference. Then I joined Rising Tide. This is a group of incredibly passionate people who have decided that they are not going down without a fight, and who genuinely believe that collectively we have the power to make change. We've held public rallies, movie nights, a dawn vigil on World Environment Day, stopped a coal train, made international media, and in future we have a webinar with Bob Brown, a town hall meeting and a two day flotilla on the harbour planned. I can't wait to see what we achieve next.”

For more info, visit Rising Tide or reach out to Jasmine Stuart

Rising Tide climate activists Jasmine Stuart and Anne Hodgson outside Newcastle Courthouse. [Source: Newcastle Herald].

What’s next?

18 – 29 JUNE

China Immersion

The Ma & Morley team + 32 Scholars head to China for an 11 day immersive experience! Starting in Shanghai, we will then travel to Beijing where we will visit the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City & the Summer Palace. In Hangzhou, we will visit Alibaba, the Jack Ma Foundation, Hangzhou Normal University & West Lake, where a chance encounter between Jack Ma & the Morleys led to this Scholarship Program.

During this time, Maryanne & Katie will be slower to respond, but will still be reachable via Slack & emails.

21 JULY

Semester 2 Gather & Connect

Stage 1 Scholars to reconnect after the break as we head into another busy semester!

Ma & Morley Gala date change – the Ma & Morley Gala is now on Wednesday the 29th of November, rather than the 24th of November. Please mark the change in your calendars.

Cultural Immersion Camp

Stage 1 Scholars head off on an overnight camp to Wollombi & Murrook to connect with local Country & culture.

Please mark in your calendars.

Exam Stress

It’s that time of semester and everything feels a little overwhelming, but there is lots of help available!

The library is holding drop-in peer support sessions during exam week - the sessions are run by Library Student Peer Support Assistants who are available to help with any study related questions you may have as you're studying in Library spaces. This is available at NUspace & Callaghan, see here for more info.

As always, please reach out to the Ma & Morley team if you have any questions, concerns or just want to chat

Stage 3 Action Projects Update: Ellie & Sophia

“The action project that we have been working on is a community art exhibition. The objectives of the exhibition are to strengthen local community and connection, encourage people to get involved with art, to encourage affordability and accessibility in the arts, and to raise money for a local charity.

Anyone is invited to submit an artwork for it – the aim is just to get involved not be a professional! On the night, people’s artworks will be sold for low prices so that anyone is able to take anything home. We are also planning on inviting a few more well-known artists to donate some artworks that we can raffle off. Hopefully we will also get some local stores like Eckersley’s to donate some stuff that we can either use for the exhibition or that we can also raffle off. On the formal exhibition night, we will have some interactive art to get involved with, and hopefully also some local live music!

So far, we’ve booked the Brennan Room from Friday 6th October to Sunday 8th October (put in your calendars!). We’re in the process of figuring out the logistics right now before we get the word out properly.

If you want to help: send us any ideas about how to display artworks without spending a whole lot of money and think about what kind of artwork you’d want to submit for the exhibition!”

Ellie & Sophia

CEEHE Update

As some of you are aware, CEEHE (Centre of Excellence for Equity in Higher Education) are conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the Ma & Morley Scholarship Program. The purpose of the evaluation is to understand whether and how the Ma & Morley Scholarship Program creates impact relating to the goal of creating globally aware and socially conscious leaders, with a particular focus on stage 3 + 4 of the Program.

Amber & James have conducted several evaluation activities so far and wanted us to pass on their thanks – your participation is much appreciated 

CEHEE July Workshops

CEEHE will be conducting workshops in July (dates TBC) both online & in person. The workshops are designed to create space for sharing & reflecting on your experiences, through the use of ‘photo-story’ and sharing circle approaches. If you’re interested in participating, please register using the QR code (all stages welcome) 

Get Inspired

We’ve had our heads buried in all things China. This is a great snippet of China’s incredibly profound & complex history – “The Shortest History of China” by Linda Jaivin

Wild Podcast with Sarah Wilson – Thomas Mayo: The beautifully wild Voice to Parliament, explained. Wilson has a wonderful way of explaining things in a simple manner – they talk through the basics and drill down into the counterarguments.

A Podcast of One’s Own with Julia Gillard – Roanna McClelland on the gendered impacts of climate change. An interesting discussion about Roanna’s unconventional upbringing, her diverse career & upcoming novel.

Opportunities

New Colombo Plan Scholarship

The New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholarship Program is a prestigious undergraduate scholarship. A signature initiative of the Australian Government - it supports Australia's best undergraduate students to undertake a semester long international study experience, an internship/mentorship and language training for up to 19 months in the Indo-Pacific region.

Visit here for more information & details on how to apply. If you have any questions, reach out.

Ma & Morley Ambassador Mentoring Program

The Scholarship Program has always intended to honour and celebrate the enduring and life changing friendship between Jack Ma and Ken Morley. Ken was a lifelong mentor to Jack, however learnt so much from the relationship himself. When the gift was secured, one of the key elements was to provide Scholars with a mentoring opportunity.

Who are your mentors?

The University of Newcastle has a global alumni network on 168,000, with industry leaders in varied fields from creative industries to medical & allied health, media, business & entrepreneurship, STEM etc. This is a wonderful opportunity to be connected with industry leaders in your respective fields – build connections, amplify your leadership journeys, build confidence and be guided in your career path.

If you’re interested in having a mentor, please fill in this EOI form. We will reach out you & ensure we find a mentor that is the right fit.

Note: this is for Ambassadors and those in their final year of study.