Introducing Swinburne’s Indigenous Student Services team

Swinburne has established a new Indigenous Student Services team to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to be in control of their own studies and ensure their education and training experience is positive, inclusive and successful.

Based within the Moondani Toombadool Centre, the Indigenous Student Services team are equipped to assist students with pre-enrolment, subject selection, orientation and graduation, as well as plans for life after studying.

They will also engage Swinburne's Indigenous community through the coordination of events and work together with other organisations to improve educational outcomes for Indigenous Australians.

The members of the new Indigenous Student Services team are:

• Vicky Peters, Manager of Indigenous Student Services
• Joel Boojers, Senior Indigenous Student Adviser
• Lydia Bissett, Indigenous Student Adviser
• Cyan Earnshaw, Indigenous Student Adviser

Senior Indigenous Student Adviser, Joel Boojers, is excited to be a part of the team and have the opportunity to give back to the Indigenous community.

“I definitely benefitted from the support of the Indigenous team at the university where I studied,” he says.

“It is from my own experience that I want to give back to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students by providing the same sense of community, identity and opportunities through Swinburne’s Indigenous Student Services team.”

Mr Boojers also says the work of the team will contribute towards breaking the cycle of disadvantage that continues to affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

“This team is absolutely vital to ensure that all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are afforded the support measures to enable them to successfully complete their chosen field of study,” he says.

“It is through a positive and inclusive educational experience that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are able to increase health and self-determination outcomes for themselves, their families and their communities.”

In 2017, Swinburne implemented its second Reconciliation Plan (RAP) as part of Swinburne’s commitment to the education and training of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.

Manager of Indigenous Student Services, Vicky Peters, says the Indigenous Students Services team will help drive Swinburne’s vision for reconciliation by upholding the key RAP values of Relationships, Respect and Opportunities.

“The team supports these values by ensuring the culture of the university values and recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures; growing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student enrolments, retentions and completions; and engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and organisations,” she says.

The Indigenous Student Services team is available to help all of Swinburne’s Indigenous students, including on-campus, online and community learners.

Students are able to get in touch with the team by emailing indigenousstudents@swin.edu.au.

By doing so, they can arrange to meet with an Indigenous Student Adviser on campus at Hawthorn, Wantirna or Croydon during office hours Monday to Friday, or schedule a call-back at time that suits them.

The Hawthorn campus also has an Indigenous Student Lounge located at TB 218, where Indigenous students can network in a quiet and culturally safe environment. The Indigenous Student Services team can organise a swipe access card for students who wish to use the lounge.

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