Bursary empowers Connor to study urban planning with a cultural lens
With a deep connection to the land dating back more than 60,000 years, First Australians offer cultural and practical knowledge invaluable in town planning and development projects.
Logan City Council’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Bursary Program aims to protect their these unique perspectives, as well as to ‘close the gap’ for students with an Indigenous heritage by providing them with university and employment opportunities in town planning, civil engineering, business or information technology.
The first student with an Indigenous heritage to be awarded the bursary, worth $5000 a year for 4 years, is 19-year-old Connor Bishop, who hopes to inspire his cousins as the first one in his family to pursue university studies.
He is studying a Bachelor of Urban Environment Planning at Griffith University while working 15 hours with Logan City Council’s development enquiries team.
Connor says the program makes him feel miles ahead of his peers in university.
‘The bursary is insanely helpful for me,’ he says.
‘I bought a laptop with the funding, and I don’t think I could have gone to university without it,’ he says.
‘The work experience at Council has been eye-opening. In my role, I take enquiries from community members regarding development requirements, and I give them general advice.
‘What can take 3 weeks to learn at university, I am learning in one day at work. I have the chance to put my learning into action at Council, which is so much better than just learning theory.’
The bursary program integrates Indigenous thinking by introducing students to mentoring from Indigenous planners in the Queensland Government as well as Indigenous Elders with expertise in land management.
Connor says Indigenous land management techniques are very smart.
‘We studied Indigenous farming last trimester – how they used to rotate different crops and plan 6 seasons at a time. It was very advanced.’
Connor was nervous to do a degree without understanding where it would take him, but says the work at Council has given him a clear picture of the job outcomes possible for him.
‘I love meeting professionals in my field and understanding their roles. I’m also glad that when I graduate, I should have 4 years of work experience in urban planning,’ he says.
‘Council’s work environment is excellent. People are supportive and I have seen how far the organisation is willing to go to help someone.’
Connor also brings dedication and commitment to his passions outside of Council. He’s qualified for the national tenpin bowling team and is exploring opportunities for international championships.
He says no matter where life takes him, the City of Logan is always home.
‘I have grown up here all my life and this city has so much to offer. I don’t think you can get this much multiculturism and diversity anywhere else.’
By Sabrina Rashid
