
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 isnāt most teenagers.
Sheās a published illustrator, TED-X speaker, UN Youth Ambassador, Young Archibald finalist and most recently, a Bond University Vice Chancellorās Scholarship recipient.
And when sheās 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.
āWe 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.
āOver 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 hadnāt been given the same opportunities as me.ā
Despite excelling academically throughout her schooling, it wasnāt until Miss Halleday picked up a paint brush that she discovered her real passion.
āArt 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."
āThis helped me develop creative skills from quite a young age and Iāve 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.
āA few years ago, I realised that I can help other people through my art.ā
āI 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.
āThis 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.
āSo far weāve raised enough money to provide 15 girls with equal access to education ā and this is only the beginning.ā
At just 18, the Bachelor of Entrepreneurial Transformation and Global Studies student is the first to admit sheās got a lot on her plate.
āI 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.
āBut you canāt help anybody if youāre exhausted! So Iāve learnt to prioritise taking time for me ā and that means spending time with my two dogs ā Mellow and Ari.
āAnd when itās been a really big week and I just need to put my feet up, Iāll 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.