Rotary Sydney Supports Australia’s FIRST Indigenous Residential College at UTS

Home / Rotary Sydney Supports Australia’s FIRST Indigenous Residential College at UTS

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Indigenous education is a critical part of national reconciliation.

That’s why Rotary Sydney is rallying in support of Australia’s FIRST Indigenous Residential College (IRC) – A place at the centre of higher education, where our country’s ancient history, and oldest continuing culture will be celebrated, and the next generation of Indigenous leaders can prosper. 

Future generations will tell the story of how the community came together to make the College happen. 

We invite you to join us to be a part of building history.

DONATE NOW to support the first indigenous residential college

 

Rotary Sydney members are fortunate to live, work and serve on many ancestral lands across the world, but gathers for regular fellowship on Gadigal Land in Sydney. We pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging and acknowledge their continued connection to land, sea and skies.


Rotary Sydney Supports Indigenous Education, Indigenous Excellence

Rotary Sydney supports UTS in establishing a university college that will be the first of its kind in Australia.

More than a building, this is is a bold new model of Indigenous education – one designed and led by Indigenous leaders to reflect and affirm Indigenous identity, culture and academic excellence.

With your support, we can help build a place where Indigenous students thrive

Traditional university models that remove Indigenous people from their culture and community have not succeeded in attracting and retaining students – the Australian Government has reported that less than 4 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people participate in higher education, compared with over 25 per cent of non-Indigenous people.

The Indigenous Residential College will enable Indigenous Australians to see themselves at home at university, and empower them to succeed at UTS – and beyond.

Laying the foundations for a new Australia

This project is informed by extensive consultation, and grounded in Australian Government research proving that university is critical for improving Indigenous health, life opportunities and economic outcomes.



  The evidence is clear that university is the key to empowering Indigenous people and their communities.



Examples of Funding Required for Each Space

 

These are examples of spaces Rotary Sydney are most excited about
NB at this stage, these are estimates only

Landscaped terraces garden rooms and dedicated smoking ceremony space
$ 3,000,000

Bush Garden including native herbs and plants for cooking
$ 1,000,000

Contemporary, Multi-Purpose Exhibition Space
$ 3,500,000

Commons lounge
$ 1,000,000

Student Kitchen
$ 1,000,000

Laundry
$ 500,000

Art studio
$ 500,000

2 Bedroom Apartment Accommodation
$ 365,000 each

1 Bedroom Apartment Accommodation
$ 365,000 each

Studio Accommodation
$ 165,000 each

Study Pods
$ 50,000 each

Two Indigenous girls viewing student art at UTS
Artist’s interpretation of potential outdoor space

Recent Updates


• Cost of building development approximately $100 million

• $10 million from the NSW State Government secured

• First major gifts towards the capital build received

Artist’s interpretation of an indoor common space

 Project Supporters From the Community

“A goal that should be writ large at every university in our country:  Indigenous Australians to see themselves at home at university and empower them to succeed at university and beyond. It starts here.” 

His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley, AC DSC, Governor-General of Australia and Ambassador to the Indigenous Residential College


“The development of Australia’s first Indigenous Residential  College is exciting and I commend UTS for its work on this  project. Every effort must be made to make education more  accessible for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”

June Oscar AO, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission

“Students who come to this college and have the benefit  of getting a university degree, they’re going to be role  models. Whether they know it or not, they’re leaders,  they’re showing their siblings back home that going to  university is the normal thing we do in our family.”

Adam Goodes, co-founder of the GOFoundation

This is an historic opportunity to create generational change.



Donate Now

All gifts through this form are private and secure through Give Now and are tax deductible.
For full details visit the Give Now page – sydneyrotary.com/donatetotheIRC

Contact Us About This Project

For gifts over $10,000, pledges or bequests please contact us and a dedicated team member will be in touch to help you.

Project Contact:
Brigette Sancho
Rotary Club of Sydney
+61 (2) 8014 8073
irc+therotaryclubofsydneyinc@gmail.com