The Bond University Indigenous Gala changed the course of Maya Johnson’s life.
Maya hadn’t heard of Bond until she attended the Gala at the Gold Coast campus as a Year 10 student. Now she has a scholarship and is one of the institution’s biggest advocates.
The 2015 Gala, which featured a performance by Christine Anu and showcased Indigenous artwork, was enough to convince Johnson that there wasn’t a better place in the world for her to study.
The two-time Indigenous Student of the Year at St Patrick’s College in Townsville is now studying a Bachelor of Journalism at Bond University, with ambitions of reporting on important issues about her culture.
“In 2015 I came to Bond’s Indigenous Gala and I hadn’t really heard of it before,” said Johnson.
“The Gala showed off so much Indigenous art and that really pushed me to come to Bond. It was great to see such pride and passion for Indigenous culture.
“When I got the scholarship, I was crying and I called my mum and she was crying too. It was a powerful moment. She was a single parent, she raised the three of us and showed me that she is so strong and she has achieved so much. She showed me it was possible.”
The 2018 Indigenous Gala will be held on November 16 and is a core element of Bond University’s scholarship fundraising, with all proceeds going towards Indigenous scholarships, bursaries and student support.
For more information about the Gala, or to purchase tickets, click here.