Five ‘everyday’ Territorians among 103 Aussies awarded 2024 Churchill Fellowship
From the Top End to the Red Centre, five ‘everyday’ Territorians have been given the opportunity of the lifetime – and it could benefit the whole Territory. Find out why.
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Five “everyday” Territorians have been given the opportunity of a lifetime – thousands of dollars to travel as part of a fellowship, with a goal set to help better the Territory.
This year 103 Australians have received the Churchill Fellowship, with five calling the Territory home.
Spanning from the Top End to the Red Centre the recipients include Dr Beau Cubillo, Dr Edith Waugh, Jack Dowden, Dr Luke Steller, and Nikki Jeffries who each now have eight weeks to complete their projects – which span from uncovering the benefits of circus art as an educational model to exploring educational outcomes from skateboarding.
Dr Steller, who calls Alice Springs home, will use his fellowship to “explore how strengths-based community development practices can enhance Australian STEM education”.
Dr Steller is the Territory’s regional leader for Questacon – the federal government’s national science and technology centre – and uses his position to build networks and support Territory teachers with STEM education.
“I’m incredibly excited to receive the Churchill Fellowship and have the opportunity to travel around the world to learn from people leading innovative, community-driven education,” Dr Steller said.
“It’s a huge honor, and I feel so grateful to my community here in the NT for their support. I can’t wait to bring back new insights to help strengthen and support the amazing programs already happening here.“
In the Top End, Larrakia and Wadjigan man Dr Cubillo is using his fellowship to “investigate how Indigenous Peoples can self-determine their food systems for health”.
In his exploration, Dr Cubillo hopes to uncover how these concepts can be strengthened in Australia – by drawing on lessons from North America to support Aboriginal-led and controlled food related enterprises in Aboriginal communities.
Dr Waugh – a senior specialist anaesthetist – will use her fellowship to explore “culturally safe and sustainable perioperative care models for NT’s First Nations peoples” to ensure equitable care for First Nations patients.
Ms Jefferies will use her fellowship to “investigate the potential of circus as an educational mechanism for Indigenous youth” while Mr Dowden will explore “innovative ways of integrating social and education outcomes into skateboard programs”.
Churchill Trust acting chief executive Sally Campbell said the fellowship was awarded to people from all walks of life.
“In fact, recipients are often quietly achieving extraordinary things behind the scenes. They’re everyday Australians who have the drive to create real change, often without seeking recognition,” she said.
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