Support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to enter and succeed at Curtin University so they can return to their communities as strong leaders and role models.
Moorditj yorgas, moorditj boodja – strong women, strong country
‘Moorditj yorga’ means ‘strong woman’ in the Noongar language of Western Australia’s South West. Colloquially, it also means ‘deadly’. We’ve all been influenced by strong women in our lives – mothers, sisters, aunts, teachers, colleagues and friends.
Women are the bedrock of any community, particularly those that have long faced social and economic inequity. The Moorditj Yorga Scholarship Program will support mature-aged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women – who may feel the promise of higher education has passed them by – to enter university, pass their studies and receive mentoring as they transition into their careers.
Together, let’s make this opportunity available to as many moorditj women as possible.
Rebekah Cabales grew up in Darwin, on Larrakia country worked several careers before realising her dream of becoming a nurse. Rebekah’s dream was realised through the support of the Moorditj Yorga Scholarship. Now a nurse at Perth Children’s Hopsital in the Oncology/Haematology ward, she has never been more fulfilled.
Josie is a Ballardong Whadjuk Wilmen Ueud woman, one of Curtin’s first Moorditj Yorga Scholarship graduates. Now the Director of Aboriginal Health Strategy for the Southern Metropolitan Health Service, Josie’s life was changed when she was given the life-changing opportunity to attend Curtin to gain the skills she needed for a career in mental health.
Born in Collie, with family connections to Wadani country in the South West of WA, Trish is a firm believer in the transformative power of learning.
As coordinator and mentor, she provides wrap-around pastoral care, ensuring students are settling into tertiary life, succeeding in their studies and balancing study and cultural obligations.
Moorditj Yorga Scholarship recipient Renna Gayde, who spent years working through her healing alone is watching her path unfold into a career helping others heal their trauma.
Read Janelle’s full story, and the stories of strong Aboriginal women like her, in our special series of articles called The Power of Educated Women.
Read Sandra’s full story, and the stories of strong Aboriginal women like her, in our special series of articles called The Power of Educated Women.
Read June’s full story, and the stories of strong Aboriginal women like her, in our special series of articles called The Power of Educated Women.
Valerie Ah Chee, Yorgas Barloonginy, 2021, acrylic on canvas.
This artwork was especially commissioned for the Moorditj Yorga Scholarship Program. It represents the transference and continuity of knowledge between generations of Aboriginal women since creation.
The circle in the middle is the first gathering of the Elder matriarchs (holders of knowledge and learning) teaching the next generation of women about identity, connections, belonging and culture, and sharing their wisdom on business, country, culture, language, resilience, strength, survival, rituals, ceremonies and stories. This transference of knowledge is fluid and alive – always moving backwards, forwards, sideways and circular to ensure continuation, and represents our survival and the strength of our culture and identity. It moves between the circle and the Elders to family groups, and between communities as represented by the small circles.
The snake is the Wagyl, creator and protector of the waterways in Noongar culture, which is essential for life. The area within the Wagyl represents what we learn from birth – who we are, where we belong, our culture and language. The women sitting around the snake are ready to start a different journey to learning. The outer circles and pathways represent the interconnected institutions and paths that complement what we have been taught from our Elders since birth. These paths take us to places where we meet new people and learn from different communities, but they always take us and our learning back to our belonging place, where we began. These paths go into the universe and connect us to the women who came before us and sacrificed so that we, when we are ready, can fly.
If you have any questions about applying for the Moorditj Yorga Scholarship, please get in touch with us.
Have a question? Further information is available about the scholarship, your donation, and more.
Our team welcomes the opportunity to chat with you about the program and how you can show your support.