THE CAIRNS INDIGENOUS SCHOLARSHIP: DESTINY BATMAN-PERIS

Destiny Batman-Peris is the 2022 and 2023 recipient of the Cairns Indigenous Scholarship. Destiny is currently completing her third year of a Nursing Degree at the University of Notre Dame, as well as competing in both intercollegiate and national level hockey. Destiny shared with us her College and university experience so far and her plans for the future.

Can you tell us a little about where you have moved from?

I am proud to be Bunitj from West Arnhem Land, and Gidja and Yawuru from the East and West Kimberley, respectfully. However, I grew up on Larrakia Country (Darwin), and call that home. As much as I miss it, being in Sydney offers the best opportunities for my studies and sport.

How are your studies going so far?

Next year will be the final year of my degree. This year, I’m doing my Bachelor of Nursing part-time so I can also complete a Certificate III in Mentoring Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples, via TAFE’s Eora Centre. I am passionate about health promotion and preventative health, especially in Aboriginal communities. I also currently work as a mentor to Aboriginal High School students. This aligns well with my future goals in the field of nursing I aim to go into.

Can you share some of your academic highlights?

There is a handful of St Andrew’s students doing the Bachelor of Nursing at Notre Dame which is great, particularly during exam blocks where we can study together and support each other. One of the classes I am doing this Semester is Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Health, which will be invaluable for my career as a nurse. The lecturer is a proud Bundjalung woman and I love learning from her. Emotionally, it is really beneficial for me to be surrounded by Mob – it makes it easier to be away from home. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students across all of the University of Sydney’s residential colleges have been networking and building a strong community here, which is positive for all of us.

How has 2022 been for you? What did you participate in at College, and what were the highs and lows?

2022 was a year of both success and challenge. I represented St Andrew’s in Rosebowl Hockey and Athletics and was selected for my first Australian squad: the Australian Junior (U21) Indoor Hockey Squad. Three students from St Andrew’s College were selected for this squad of 30 from all around the nation. I competed in the U21 Australian Hockey Championships in Perth, representing the combined NT/SA team. A highlight was also competing at the UniSport Indigenous Nationals in Brisbane. My University couldn’t field a team so I competed for Charles Darwin University with cousins and family friends

I grew up with. Although I achieved a lot in my sports I battled injuries for much of the year. The flow-on effect of this, however, was that I could discover who I am beyond sport and explore my particular passions in nursing and make plans to pursue these.

What are your hopes and plans for 2023, and the future?

I have a strong connection to my Country in West Arnhem Land - I go out there often during Dry Season. However, I would like to develop a stronger connection to my Country in the Kimberley and intend to do one of my nursing placements in Broome. I lived there when I was younger - it is my greatgrandfather’s Country - and Notre Dame has a campus there. This experience would be invaluable for me culturally as well as professionally, as the healthcare demographics in Broome are similar to that of Darwin and will better prepare me for the post-graduate work I plan to do in the Top End.

With recent injuries behind me, I am very keen to resume intercollegiate hockey later this Semester. We always have such a great group of girls and I value the connections I make or strengthen each year during the inter-col hockey campaign. The last game always falls during National Reconciliation Week or the Indigenous Round, and I am designing the artwork for the socks we will wear for that game.

How do you think the Scholarship Program contributes to the life and community of the College?

I really believe the Scholarship Program at St Andrew’s encourages diversity, as students from different places, socioeconomic statuses, and ethnicities come together and bond. We learn from each other and it encourages us to develop curiosity, sensitivity, and sociocultural awareness. Do you have any comments that you would like to personally direct to your benefactors?

I wouldn’t be able to study here on Gadigal Country without scholarship support. I am achieving high distinctions in my studies and love being able to play quality hockey. Relocation, travel, registration, equipment and uniforms are expensive, which makes the generosity of the Cairns’ invaluable to me being able to achieve my goals. I am incredibly grateful to be at St Andrew’s and have the wealth of opportunities that come with being a resident here.