Federation of Parents and Citizens' Association of New South Wales - Journal Article – Grace Casey

Posted by on 12 December 2011 | 0 Comments

In July 2011 Grace Casey, 16, was the winner of an Indigenous scholarship fully funded by Student Exchange Australia New Zealand.  Valued at AU$10,800, the scholarship is named after Fay Wilmerding, who helped establish the student exchange industry in Australia during a distinguished 30 year career.

Grace comes from the Aboriginal nation of Gumbaynggirr and is extremely active in her local community in Toormina, Coffs Harbour (NSW).  Grace beat a competitive field of entries from around Australia and New Zealand to win the award, where she will spend 10 months living in Denmark with a local host family and attending high school in 2012.

Mr Nick Lorentzen, National Director of Student Exchange Australia New Zealand said: “Grace is to be congratulated on this achievement.  She was chosen because she is an outstanding Indigenous student who exhibits all the qualities we look for in an exchange student. I know she will benefit enormously from her time on exchange and use that experience to the benefit of her community”.

The award was officially presented by Ms Elizabeth Donnan, the Principal of Toormina High School at the Year 10 School Awards Ceremony on Thursday 8 December.

Grace was a stand-out applicant for the scholarship. She is an active participant in a diverse range of activities both within her school and the local community. She was the Aboriginal student leader in Year 6 and is currently a member of the Schools 10% on Top Club (a group set up to encourage high achieving Aboriginal students). Grace has been involved in Cancer Council’s relay for Life, participates in NAIDOC activities, Indigenous Surf School, Deadly Days and is proud of her Aboriginal heritage.

In addition to participating in Little Athletics, swimming and gymnastics, Grace has trained with Coffs Coast Martial Arts since she was 9 and was the first junior to grade to black belt. As part of the club she has instructed many classes from juniors to seniors and has competed in martial arts competitions from club level through to region, state national and world levels.  Grace has also participated in physical culture since she was 9, performed at Sydney Town Hall for National Finals and undertaken music lessons in how to play the flute, piccolo and clarisax.

Born in Armidale Hospital, Grace experienced a challenging start to her life. She was flown to Camperdown Children’s Hospital and while in the neonatal intensive care, she surprised doctors and nurses that she was determined to live and recovered completely. Grace believes it is important to do her best in all things and always give things a go.

Grace is passionate about her indigenous heritage, culture and community. She loves exploring Coffs Harbour, the surf and outdoor activities. Grace also enjoys the closeness of the rainforest and its waterfalls. Grace feels very fortunate to live in a small city, which is located centrally to different cultural events and activities.

When choosing between twenty possible countries, Grace chose to spend her exchange in Denmark because she knows nothing about this country. Grace is very proud of her Irish, Scottish and Aboriginal heritage and her parents have helped her develop a desire to learn from other people about their country and culture.  “The exchange experience will allow me to experience a completely different country, a completely new culture and a vastly different location. I will experience a different climate, a different outlook on life and new activities. I will see cultural and heritage aspects of the world not normally available to me.”

Grace cannot wait to tell others about her experience, share photos, and encourage them to do an overseas exchange. It presents an amazing opportunity to become a part of another community, and gain unique insights and experiences into a different culture. “I will be able to share my family and cultural experiences with those I meet and increase the understanding of all those involved. I will also be able to share my experiences and encourage other Aboriginal girls to participate in the exchange program. I look forward to this opportunity and hope to share this with my peers and community when I return.”

Grace has applied to be a part of Nura Gili Aboriginal Winter School at the University of New South Wales.  In the future, Grace hopes to study at university in order to become a science teacher, eventually continuing on to become a forensic pathologist. “Whatever I study I feel it will be science related and will show Aboriginal girls they can not only study science and maths but do well at it.”  

We congratulate Grace on her achievement, and know that she will be greatly missed by her community during her overseas exchange. 

Two full Indigenous scholarships are available every year to eligible Indigenous students from Australia and New Zealand. The next deadline for receipt of applications is 31 March 2012 please visit www.studentexchange.org.au for more details.