Nurturing new talent

Proud Ngarigo man Jack Goldspink, who is the first recipient of the Scholarship awarded in partnership with the University of Newcastle, said he is also the first in his family to attend university.

Port of Newcastle CEO, Craig Carmody, says the Indigenous STEM Scholarship in partnership with the University of Newcastle aims to assist young Indigenous people to seriously consider STEM careers and choose to be part of the future talent pool for emerging high-skill, high-income local jobs, including at the port.

“If we can inspire and encourage more young people with the tenacity that Jack has displayed to pursue higher education, particularly in STEM related fields, and offer them support to help them succeed, then we at Port of Newcastle have achieved our goal with introducing this Scholarship,” said Mr Carmody.

Future talent

Mr Goldspink relocated to Newcastle from his home-town of Tumbarumba, near the Snowy Mountains, to start a Bachelor of Exercise Sport Science at University of Newcastle and says receiving the scholarship is a proud moment.

“No one in my family has actually been to university or completed year 12. As the eldest of four boys raised by my amazing mum, I knew I always wanted to finish school and go to university to set that example for my brothers,” he said.

“Finishing high school, getting a good ATAR, being accepted into my preferred course at the University of Newcastle and now receiving this scholarship showed me that with effort, you really can get anything done. I hope to be able to inspire and support other young Aboriginal people to do the same,” Jack said.

As well as financial support, the Scholarship includes the opportunity to take part in professional development with the Port of Newcastle team and learn more about port operations.

Port of Newcastle’s Indigenous STEM Scholarship is open to Indigenous students who plan to complete a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) related degree at the University of Newcastle.

Launched in December 2020, the partnership with University of Newcastle aims to enhance the Hunter Region’s capacity in meeting future technology-led jobs and to support tertiary education pathways for Indigenous students.

Three scholarships, each worth AUS$10,000, will be awarded over the three-year period of the program.