The Dr Tracy Westerman Indigenous Psychology Scholarship Recipients

Every one of our 41 scholarship students has a story and a journey that is unique to them. They all share a passion for psychology and a desire to affect real, lasting change within the Indigenous mental health landscape. It is thanks to the generous donations of people like you that we are able to support these incredible humans on their journeys. Scroll down to meet the Jilya Mob.

2022 Recipients

Thalep Ahmat

My name is Thalep Ahmat. I’m married and have two daughters. I love family time, music (especially playing in my family’s band) and photography. My father is a Torres Strait Islander, and my mother is non-Indigenous. My Great, Great Grandmother was Annie Savage. Annie...

Taylor-Jane Bellotti

My Name is Taylor-Jane Bellotti I am a proud Yamatji woman with connections to the Malgana and Kija language groups. I was born and raised in Perth and am currently enrolled in my Master of Professional Psychology at ECU. I am a proud mum to four and loving wife to...

Tamara Miller

I’m a descendant of the Wakka Wakka and Gangulu peoples and have lived most of my life on Jarowair and Giabal country (Toowoomba and surrounds). I’m currently studying a Masters in Clinical Psychology. Upon completion of this degree, I hope to gain clinical...

Nikia Bailey

I am a proud Ngarrindjeri mimini. My mob is from the lower Murray River in South Australia. I was born on Kaurna country and I’m in my first year of studying a Master of Clinical Psychology at the University of South Australia. Once I complete my Masters degree, I aim...

Mikhayla Vea Vea

I am a passionate Koinjamal woman at the end of my third year in a Bachelor of Psychological Science/Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Griffith University Gold Coast. Alongside my studies, I also work for Griffith in a few roles. I tutor other Indigenous...

Michelle Lawrence

I am a Kamilaroi woman born at the notorious crown St Hospital in Surry Hills, NSW. My journey into this world was not easy, family violence in the womb, I left home at 12 and was raised by my sister. I always believed this was not my journey and every day I work...

Malcolm Jetta

My name is Malcolm Jetta. I live in Pingelly, Western Australia and belong to the Wiilman (Gnala Karla Boodja) and Baladong tribes of Noongar Nation. As a husband and devoted father of 3, this scholarship is important to me because I gain invaluable support and...

Lowanna Hugall

I am wanting to create better understanding and inclusion of our First Nations peoples. A vision for the community to be free from suicide and support for all when they feel alone and unheard. I am passionate about helping our mob heal multigenerational trauma and...

James Hill

My name is James Hill, I’m a Ngarrindjeri man, and I was born and raised on Noongar Whadjuk Country. My goal is to become a clinical psychologist and mental health researcher with youth populations, including Indigenous youth. I champion lived experience as a powerful...

Georgia Falconer

I am a part of the Yawaru-Djugun and Jabirr Jabirr Tribes from the Broome and Beagle Bay area. I was born in Broome and moved to Darwin when I was seven. I chose to study Psychology for many reasons. Firstly, I was inspired by my mother, watching her succeed through...

2021 Recipients

Tiarnee Schafer

I am a proud Kalkadunga Kintja (Kalkadoon woman) from Mt Isa QLD and currently lives on Gadigal land in Sydney. After losing too many loved ones to suicide, I felt helpless and feelings of despair; why us? We are the oldest living culture; we should be the oldest...

Robyn Phillips

My name is Robyn Phillips, I am 50 years old and I am an Indigenous woman from Cairns, Queensland. Unfortunately, I don’t know my mob but I am exploring my family background as it is a personal passion of mine. So far, I have discovered that my maternal grandfather...

Monique Broeders

My name is Monique Broeders, and I am a proud Aboriginal woman belonging to the Gunditjmara Nation, Kirrae Whurrong tribe from Framlingham, south-west Victoria, with ties to Bruny Island in Tasmania. Gunditjmara, translated to English, means belonging to Aboriginal...

Laura Kingi

A proud Lunga Kija descendent from the Kimberley region on her mother’s side, mixed with European roots on her father’s side, Laura is the balance of a dance between two worlds. Spending over half her life as a dedicated mother, she was gifted with the critical role...

Kylie Wallis

My name is Kylie Wallis, a Biripi woman from Taree, NSW. I have spent many years teaching and after watching so many young people struggle with mental health I decided to retrain in Psychology and my plan is to get into Educational Psychology. I want to provide young...

Kelly Hyde

I am a strong Wiradjuri woman, born in Wellington. I was raised on Bundjalung nation, Lismore, where I live and work today. The Jilya institute scholarship is a way into helping support the First Nations into the psychology field. The scholarship will bring all the...

Jodie Mottram

My name is Jodie and I am a proud Aboriginal woman and mature age student, with ties to Bangerang and Yorta Yorta in regional Victoria (Shepparton and Violet Town), along the Goulburn River and up into the mountains where I would go on Country and not see people for...

Jaye Lee Snowden

Hi! My name is Jaye Lee Snowden. I’m a Koori/ Maori yok, born and bred on Noongar boodja. My mum was born in Bourke NSW, she is a Ngemba woman, and dad comes from Rawhiti, Bay of Islands, NZ and he is a Nga-Puhi man. My academic journey so far has been life...

Daniel McDougall

I am a Barkindji man who grew up on Wiradjuri and Ngunnawal country. I have seen and been affected by the epidemic that is Aboriginal mental health and experienced a tension, of being in between worlds, and the mental health consequences this brings. I decided to take...

Caitlyn Davies-Plummer

My name is Caitlyn Davies-Plummer and I’m a 29 year-old Barkindji woman, currently living and working on Kaurna land in Adelaide, SA. I am a mum to Dusty and a wife to Dale. It is hard for me to put into words how important this scholarship is to me, but I’ll do my...

2020 Recipients

Taylor-Jai McAlister

I am a proud Wiradjuri woman from Nyngan (NSW) and grew up in Bathurst (NSW) and Sydney. Ever since I was young, I was interested in becoming a Clinical Psychologist, as I saw the lack of Aboriginal psychologists, and I knew I wanted to help change that. I am...

Shaun Garlett

My traditional people is Noongar, Yamatji and Nyiyaparli. My father is a Noongar man from the Wadjuk, Balladong area. My mother is a Yamatji through my grandmother and Nyiyparli through my grandfather. This scholarship is important to me as it will allow me to become...

Shannon McNeair

I am a Malgana Aboriginal woman from Shark Bay – Guttharraguda. My late mother’s (Helen McNeair nee Bellottie) family are the Bellottie family from Shark Bay and traditional owners of Malgana country. Shark Bay is where I go to relax, recharge, and reconnect; Malgana...

Myles McKenzie

I am a proud Barundji man. My Country is on the Paroo river area, west of Burke in New South Wales. The language of my people is the barkandji language. It was thought to be lost forever, however, an Elder was found who still spoke the language and a primary school in...

Michael Cullen

My traditional people are the Ngarrindjeri and Narungga people This scholarship not only provides support for future psychologists, it provides awareness and a voice for Indigenous youth who are heavily affected by the lack of services and professionals. There is a...

Kiera-Lee Carroll

I am a proud Walman Yawuru and Goolarabooloo woman. My tribe originates from country just outside of Broome, Western Australia. The Dr Tracy Westerman’s Aboriginal Psychology Scholarship Program, offers both support and inspiration to Aboriginal psychology students....

Jodi Jones

My name is Jodi Jones, I am a palawa woman (Tasmanian Aboriginal) proud descendent of Fanny Cochrane-Smith, originating from Flinders Island. The Tracey Westerman Scholarship is a vital pathway for Indigenous graduates to be involved in evoking positive change in the...

Dom Barry

My name is Dom Barry, 26 years old and my traditional community are the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara people. This scholarship is important to me because I believe there is a gap between the lived experience of Aboriginal people in remote communities and the...

Dale Rowland

My name is Dale Rowland and I am a proud Aboriginal man. My mob are the Biripi and Wiradjuri people. Born on Tharawal country, I spent my early years raised by my mother and grandmother who at a young age, instilled the importance of strength and giving back to the...

Corey Kennedy

I belong to the traditional Mutti Mutti people group from the Northern Riverina and Far West regions of New South Wales. This scholarship is so important to me because it provides me with an opportunity to become financially secure and reap the subsequent benefits...

2019 Recipients

Nikki McKenzie

My name is Nikki McKenzie and I am an Aboriginal woman from the remote of town of Derby, which is located in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Growing up in a region where we have one of the highest rates of suicide in the world has led me towards studying...

Taylor Thompson

My name is Taylah Thompson, I am nyoongar yamatji, with Thalanji connections. I am also a 26-year-old, mature age student currently in my 3rd year of psychology. Alongside my study, I work part-time at the Department of Communities – Child Protection as a family...

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