Katura Halleday’s mother’s travel advice to her daughter was “say yes to everything”.
Without hesitation the 20-year-old has embraced that mantra in the 24 countries she has visited since the age of 13 and is about to satisfy her wanderlust further thanks to a New Colombo Plan scholarship (NCP).
Next year the Bond University student will make it country No. 25 when she spends several months in South Korea as a recipient of the federal government’s scholarship.
Katura is one of 219 Australian undergraduate students from 33 universities across Australia who have been offered NCP scholarships for 2025.
These scholars will undertake study, language training and internships in a two-way flow of students between Australia and the rest of our region, complementing the thousands of students from the region coming to Australia to study each year, including at Bond University.
For Kutura, her scholarship into Asia continues her momentum as a compassionate international care giver which began when, at 13, she went to Africa to make a documentary about a school in Beira, Mozambique.
Encouraged by her parents to appreciate her “privileged” upbringing in Australia, the visit was “life changing”.
“It made me realise we could do without so much here in Australia.
“There’s something about poverty that questions your place in the world.
“It shaped my world and now I work hard to help provide those kids with education and reusable sanitary products.”
The initial programme for a small group of girls through www.8x8toeducate.com has now grown into a scholarship program and expanded into Tanzania where she educates girls from secondary school to university.
The programme celebrated its first graduate, Celia, who graduated as a nurse on July 24.
Katura has taken her message to the United Nations in New York and is convinced that “if we all actively do something we can achieve educational equality”.
“I’m a big believer that we should raise money, be there to support them, and then let them spend it best in their own communities.”
She understands that to make change and lasting cultural difference we need strong, educated women involved in business, politics and as leaders in their communities but they need education to fulfil their dreams.
The All Saints Anglican School graduate said she had wanted to study at Bond University since she first came onto the campus as part of a high school tour at 13.
Her dream came true when she won the Vice Chancellor's Elite Scholarship to study at Bond.
“I love my degrees, the Bachelor of Entrepreneurial Transformation and Bachelor of Global Studies (Sustainability) at Bond, and one day hope to be a Rhodes Scholar.”
Katura said she sees this scholarship as a gateway to understanding more of the international issues which impact on us, and how we can make our positive mark.
Fellow scholarship winner and Bond University law student Chloe Bound plans to leave for her chosen tour in China in September 2025.
The 19-year-old former Dalby State High School student is currently learning mandarin in readiness to study Chinese foreign investment law at Peking University.
“I’m very keen to experience the way they practise law in China.
“I want to build up my international legal skills and try to understand China and the disconnect it has with some other countries.
“I love to travel and I think this will open doorways for me.”
In her first year at Bond, Chloe said she has always had a “passion for justice”.
She is excited about sampling more of life with a two-week study tour in Canberra in February 2025, and a possible business elective in India later in the year.
“I am so grateful for these opportunities.”
Other NCP scholarship winners from Bond University are Zia Mowbray who will visit Japan, and Ashleigh Edgar who will study in New Caledonia.
In August this year, Senator Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs, announced reforms to the NCP that committed to building Australia’s Indo-Pacific capabilities and deepening Asia literacy, including in languages.
These scholars will undertake study, language training and internships in 23 host locations in the Indo-Pacific.
For the NCP Mobility Program, 4,076 student grants have been offered to 40 Australian universities for projects in 30 host locations across the Indo-Pacific. These projects are 4 weeks to 2 semesters in duration. In meeting the Government’s commitment that the NCP offer longer-term, more immersive experiences, in 2025, more students will go to the region for longer.
Senator Wong said in 2025, 40 per cent of all projects are for one semester or more, compared to 18 per cent in 2024.
“The Indo-Pacific capabilities, including language skills, students will build during their programs will deepen links, broaden Australia’s national understanding of the region, and deliver on essential capabilities Australia needs.”