Students get a glimpse into future possiblities

WILSONTON State High School student Matari Suey had his first taste of university at the Indigenous Connections event at University of Southern Queensland.

1. Bindi Saltner (Fairholme College) and Mason Watson (Concordia College. Picture: USQ Photography

WILSONTON State High School student Matari Suey had his first taste of university at the Indigenous Connections event at University of Southern Queensland.

Matari joined more than 200 Year 7 and 8 participants at the one-day event aimed to engage students through on-campus activities.

"I have started to think about what I want to do after school and I'm looking at maybe science or archaeology," Matari said.

"I now have a better understanding of what university is all about."

Matari Suey (Wilsonton State High School). Picture: USQ Photography

Students were taken on a tour of USQ facilities then participated in sessions on mindfulness, sport and exercise, theatre, traditional dance, astronomy and film and television.

Fairholme College Year 7 student Bindi Saltner said she enjoyed the cultural activities as well as learning about astronomy.

"It's been a really good day because I have learnt what is possible at university and thought about my own future," she said.

USQ senior indigenous outreach and engagement officer Yvonne O'Neill said the event provided an opportunity for students to interact with current USQ students and staff and show that the university was a place where students were supported and able to succeed.

"We hope the students leave here happy and see that uni is a fun place to be," Ms O'Neill said.

USQ currently offers a range of programs to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students through the College for Indigenous Studies, Education and Research.

Originally published as Students get a glimpse into future possiblities