He also reveals what he considers to be the foundation’s most significant work
Last week, new Aurora Education Foundation chair Timothy Goodwin shared with Australasian Lawyer his reaction on learning that he would be stepping into the key leadership role. In the second half of this interview, he explains why programs like the Aurora Education Foundation’s are important to driving Indigenous student success, as well as the value of staying focused on the organisation's rationale.
Based on your experience as a board director, what do you expect to be your biggest challenges in this role?
Our biggest challenge is always to make sure we remain focused on the most important people we touch – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. As you grow as an organisation, it is important to remember your rationale – to support, grow and foster Black Excellence in education and remain true to those people.
You started with Aurora as an intern – what in your opinion has been the organisation’s most significant work?
There has been such significant work throughout the organisation, particularly along the pipeline of the education system – from our high school program to the study tour and scholarships and our work with alumni. However, I think our international scholarships are particularly significant. As someone who has benefited from that program, we are unique in knowing that we have been the catalyst for an explosion of highly qualified and yet deeply community-committed group of post-graduates, who are doing amazing things in Australia and around the world.
Why are programs like Aurora's so important when it comes to encouraging Indigenous student success?
Our programs are so important because they are Indigenous led and Indigenous designed. That means that they have a cultural lens that is essential to tap into the brilliance we know that exists in our community, while also ensuring that the burden of leadership and success does not create isolation and does not force and expectation of transcending one’s culture. We know culture is the key to success rather than a barrier.
