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Katura sinks teeth into scholarship

Katura Halleday

While most teenagers unwind by endlessly scrolling TikTok, Katura Halleday finds comfort in the soothing sounds of Spielberg's blood-thirsty thriller, Jaws.

But Katura Halleday isn’t most teenagers.

She’s a published illustrator, TED-X speaker, UN Youth Ambassador, Young Archibald finalist and most recently, a Bond University Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship recipient.

And when she’s not tied up with the above commitments or watching a man-eating shark terrorise the good people of Amity Island, she is passionately advocating for disadvantaged women to have equal access to education.

ā€œWe went on a family holiday to Fiji when I was 11, and that was the first time I became aware that people around the world live very different lives to me,ā€ says Miss Halleday.

ā€œOver the years, I was fortunate enough to travel to a number of countries including Africa, and I realised that I wanted to use my privilege to help support people that hadn’t been given the same opportunities as me.ā€

Despite excelling academically throughout her schooling, it wasn’t until Miss Halleday picked up a paint brush that she discovered her real passion. 

ā€œArt was something that I was always interested in. My parents were also really supportive and encouraged me to go to art workshops that were often full of people much older than me."

ā€œThis helped me develop creative skills from quite a young age and I’ve been building on these ever since.ā€

In 2019, Miss Halleday was awarded Gold at the Young Australian Art Awards and later went on to become a finalist in the Young Archibald Awards.

ā€œA few years ago, I realised that I can help other people through my art.ā€   

ā€œI illustrated a book with my sister for a family friend and all of the profits were donated to a charity to help disadvantaged girls access education in Africa.

ā€œThis was a pivotal moment for me and is a big reason why I started 8x8 To Educate.ā€ 

8x8 To Educate is a not-for-profit organisation that resells artwork created by the community, to the community to help put girls through high school and university in Mozambique and Tanzania.

ā€œSo far we’ve raised enough money to provide 15 girls with equal access to education – and this is only the beginning.ā€ 

At just 18, the Bachelor of Entrepreneurial Transformation and Global Studies student is the first to admit she’s got a lot on her plate. 

ā€œI run a cleaning business, have public speaking engagements, and am trying to do well in my studies here at Bond. On top of that I'm trying to expand 8X8 To Educate. So, I guess you could say I have a lot going on," laughs Miss Halleday.

ā€œBut you can’t help anybody if you’re exhausted! So I’ve learnt to prioritise taking time for me – and that means spending time with my two dogs – Mellow and Ari. 

ā€œAnd when it’s been a really big week and I just need to put my feet up, I’ll put on a Jaws film or Jurassic Park, eat a load of ice cream and completely relax.ā€

Miss Halleday hopes to work in international relations with the ultimate goal of effecting legislative change to enable women worldwide to achieve equal access to education. 

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