Sunshine Coast scholar represents First Nations Australians at NAIDOC Week in Rome

A Sunshine Coast university student has been awarded a prestigious scholarship to represent First Nations Australians at NAIDOC week celebrations in Rome.

ACU Francis Xavier Conaci Scholar Drew Campbell in Rome, Italy.

A university student from the Sunshine Coast has been awarded a prestigious scholarship to study and represent First Nations Australians at NAIDOC week in Rome.

Drew Campbell, 19, grew up in Nambour, but she’s been studying speech pathology at Australian Catholic University’s Brisbane campus since 2024.

The second-year student recently travelled to Rome as one of two ACU Francis Xavier Conaci Scholars.

Named in honour of an Indigenous boy who travelled from Nyoongar Country in Western Australia to the Eternal City to study in the 1850s, the Conaci Scholarship offers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students the opportunity to learn at ACU’s Rome Campus.

ACU Francis Xavier Conaci Scholar Drew Campbell exploring Rome, Italy.

A proud Wiradjuri woman, Ms Campbell said she was honoured to be named a recipient of the scholarship and a representative of First Nations Australians.

“It genuinely means so much,” she said.

“This is my heritage, it’s my culture, and being able to represent that and make sure it lives on I think is extremely important.”

As Conaci Scholars, Ms Campbell and Kamilaroi man Jacob Lasserre will represent First Nations people during NAIDOC Week in Rome, hosted by Australian Ambassador to the Holy See, His Excellency Keith Pitt.

The theme for NAIDOC Week 2025 is “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy”, which celebrates the contributions of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and highlights the importance of supporting their development and empowerment.

Mr Pitt said this year’s theme made the Conaci Scholarship especially meaningful.

“At the Australian Embassy to the Holy See, we are delighted to welcome Drew and Jacob to help us celebrate NAIDOC Week here in Rome,” he said.

“The Conaci Scholarship pays homage to the role of our First Nations in the development of Australia-Holy See relations, while also strengthening the human connections that underpin them.”

ACU Francis Xavier Conaci Scholarship recipient Drew Campbell.

The key celebration will take place on Wednesday, during which both scholars will deliver a speech.

Ms Campbell said she was looking forward to honouring her scholarship’s namesake as well as her heritage during the event.

“I think it’ll be really lovely to give my prayers and show respect,” she said.

“Also to acknowledge how it relates to future generations.”

The theme for NAIDOC Week 2025 is “very, very relevant” to her experience, Ms Campbell said.

“My time in Rome has been amazing so far,” she said.

“There’s just so much to explore, so much to do and so much culture here.”

Ms Campbell is undertaking a two-week study intensive while in Rome, then flying back to Australia ahead of ACU’s second semester for 2025.

Originally published as Sunshine Coast scholar represents First Nations Australians at NAIDOC Week in Rome