More than 400 Indigenous school students from regional WA have combined cultural celebration with a taste of campus life as part of a longstanding partnership between The University of Western Australia and Murlpirrmarra Connection.
Murlpirrmarra Connection is a not-for-profit organisation that aims to empower Aboriginal young people from remote and regional WA through a powerful blend of education, sport and cultural exchange.
UWA is a proud sponsor of the organisation’s activities, this year hosting Aboriginal students and families at two events coordinated by the School of Indigenous Studies and the School of Molecular Sciences.
Dr Nic Taylor, an associate professor with the School of Molecular Sciences who helps coordinate the annual events, said the partnership reflected UWA’s deep commitment to supporting Indigenous education pathways – from school through to university and beyond.
“By combining cultural celebration with university exposure, UWA and Murlpirrmarra Connection are working together to show young people what’s possible both in the classroom and on the sporting field,” Dr Taylor said.
For the first event, more than 320 Aboriginal secondary students travelled to Perth in May for the Murlpirrmarra Indigenous Tennis and Learning Day – a dynamic day of sport, storytelling and science.
After a morning of tennis and cultural activities at Kings Park Tennis Club, the students headed to UWA for the Sausages and Science STEM experience, hosted by researchers at the Bayliss Building.
The interactive program, designed to introduce students to real-world science in an engaging, informal setting, featured hands-on activities and demonstrations including quantum dots, shape-memory wire, molecular model kits, magic sand, and ferrofluid experiments.
School of Indigenous Studies staff also took part, providing career guidance and building connections that business manager Nerry Nichols said would benefit the students well beyond the day’s program.
“Through this collaboration we are furthering meaningful opportunities for Aboriginal students to develop through sport, deepen their cultural engagement, and pursue diverse career aspirations,” she said.
Kaitlyn Rae, a PhD student with the School of Molecular Sciences, said the event gave participants a meaningful glimpse into university life, helping to build confidence, curiosity, and connection while reinforcing UWA as a welcoming and empowering place to learn.
“Events like this are about more than just bringing students to campus — they’re about building trust, sharing knowledge, and showing young people that university is a place for them,” Ms Rae said.
Later in May, UWA proudly hosted the Wiluna and Mt Magnet travelling group of primary and high school students and their families as part of the 17th Annual Murlpirrmarra Cultural Weekend.
Activities began with a Welcome and Story Sharing session in the Bayliss Building, followed by a buddy activity with the Dalkeith Nedlands Junior Football Club that fostered new friendships and community connection. Students then enjoyed the Chemistry Magic Show presented by the School of Molecular Sciences, before finishing the day with a barbecue and football kick-about on UWA’s James Oval.
Darren Patten, CEO/Founder of Murlpirrmarra Connection, said UWA had been walking alongside the organisation for years.
“What makes this partnership strong is that it’s built on shared values and respect for our young people’s futures,” he said.