First Torres Strait Islander students to attend Oxford University
The first Torres Strait Islander students to study at Oxford University say their attendance symbolises the ‘power of possibility’.
The first Torres Strait Islander students to study at Oxford University say their attendance symbolises the “power of possibility”.
Isobel Loban Yorkston and Bhosten Savage have been awarded the prestigious Charlie Perkins Chevening Scholarship by the Aurora Education Foundation for leadership potential in their field of study and their communities, and for strong community and activist values.
Ms Yorkston – a Badu, Mabuyag and Boigu Island woman – will complete a Master of Science in International Health and Tropical Medicine, while Mr Savage will undertake a Master of Business Administration at Oxford.
Mr Savage, who wants to lead and manage large-scale infrastructure projects, said “being the first Torres Strait Islanders to attend Oxford, and as Charlie Perkins Chevening Scholars, symbolises the power of possibility not only for me but also for my community”.
“A degree from Oxford is prestigious, but it means nothing if it isn’t paired with a determination to use it for good,” he said.
“My studies will open the door to achieve my long-term goal to influence economic policy and governance, fostering environments where Indigenous communities lead their own economic futures and thrive sustainably.”
His goal is to bring essential connectivity improvements to regional and remote communities across Australia.
Ms Yorkson, a family connection practitioner at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Services, says she wants to take her Oxford degree and make an impact in the Torres Strait.
“I want to be a global leader in public health and tropical medicine, with a foundation that always leads back to my community,” she said.
“I want to be someone who, when people think about excellence in public health and tropical medicine, especially in the Torres Strait, they think of Isobel Loban Yorkston. For me, success is when a community member stops me in the street and says, ‘Bub, thank you. My son’s doing much better now because of the health plan you helped us create’.”
Torres Strait Regional Authority chair George Nona said the scholarships were a proud moment for the entire Torres Strait.
“From our island home to the halls of Oxford,” he wished them well and said they were “proudly carrying our flag and sharing the unique experiences, culture, knowledge and stories of Zenadth Kes,” referring to the traditional name for the Torres Strait Islands.
Aurora has also issued three Roberta Sykes scholarships for study in the US, including Neika Lehman, who will join the Provostial Centre for Collaborative Indigenous Research with Communities and Lands at New York University.
Aurora CEO Leila Smith said the 2025 scholars joined a “growing network of Indigenous scholars who are driving change, staying connected to culture, and making an impact across every field they enter”.
“For Bhosten and Isobel, it means access to global networks, knowledge, and leaders in their field, and the opportunity to bring that back to drive change in their communities,” Ms Smith said.
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