JCU honours Indigenous students at milestone awards night
James Cook University (JCU) has honoured its standout Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at the tenth annual Indigenous Student Awards Night in Townsville last week.
The Awards Night, hosted by the Indigenous Education and Research Centre (IERC), recognised the students for their outstanding academic achievements, hard work and dedication to their studies across JCU campuses in Cairns, Townsville, Mackay and Mt Isa.
JCU Deputy Vice Chancellor, Indigenous Education and Strategy, Professor Martin Nakata paid tribute to all the winning students’ efforts and highlighted the University’s commitment to supporting the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders.
“All of our award recipients, across every category, have demonstrated extraordinary commitment, talent and resilience,” Prof Nakata said.
“Over the past decade, JCU has awarded 1,171 degrees to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students – that is an incredible achievement worth celebrating.
“James Cook University is committed to creating the right conditions so Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders students can succeed and thrive in their studies."
Prof Nakata said supporting the success of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students would continue to be a core priority for James Cook University and was central to the University's role in Northern Australia.
“As we mark this tenth year of the IERC and the Awards, we should recognise that every student celebrated tonight and over the past decade is part of a story bigger and more important than their own success,” Prof Nakata said.
There were two winners of the IERC Spirit Award – one from the Bebegu Yumba campus in Townsville and the other from Nguma-bada campus in Cairns,
The Award Winner of the Bebegu Yumba Spirit Award was Jessica Keerie, who is studying a Bachelor of Business
The Award Winner of the Nguma-bada Spirit Award was Oliviia Bowie, who is studying a Bachelor of Nursing Science
Prof Nakata paid tribute to both Spirit Award winners for displaying immense resilience and perseverance.
“Both Jessica and Oliviia have overcome significant personal challenges in their lives while continuing to succeed academically,” Prof Nakata said.
“The Spirit Award showcases students who display perseverance, commitment and determination to pursue their studies while facing challenges head on.”
Prof Nakata praised all the award winners, saying they are not only achieving their own goals but are inspiring others and helping to shape the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and role models.
“We have incredible students recognised through the Murtupuni Centre for Rural and Remote Health, the CSIRO and Sage awards, our Pathways Honour Board and every academic discipline here at JCU,” Prof Nakata said.
2026 winners:
Sianne Dowley - JCU Prep
Thomas Flynn – JCU Prep
Leisa Leon – Bachelor of Laws
Mr Ashley Hammond – Bachelor of Laws
Stephanie Luyt – Bachelor of Business-Bachelor of Laws
Cyril Mount – Bachelor of Business
Raymond Thompson – Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Sociology
Laura Douglass – Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Archaeology and Anthropology
Arabella-Ann Davis – Bachelor of Social Work
Tyler Miller – Bachelor of Social Work
Jessica Ford – Bachelor of Education (Primary)
Byron Saunders - Bachelor of Education (Primary)
Jorja Triffett – Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery
Myles McKenzie – Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery
Ava Godier – Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences to Bachelor of Dental Surgery
Sarah Pierce – Bachelor of Dental Surgery
Kerensa Wood – Bachelor of Pharmacy
Troy Taylor – Bachelor of Pharmacy
Koininea Ali – Bachelor of Nursing Science
Kamiah Grigg – Bachelor of Nursing Science
David Johnson – Bachelor of Nursing Science
Jessica McFayden – Bachelor of Psychological Science
Logan Richmond – Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)
Amy Byrnes – Bachelor of Engineering with Honours
Richard Kelaart – Bachelor of Engineering with Honours
Adam Mason – Bachelor of Science
Paris Martin – Bachelor of Science majoring in Marine Biology
JCU Murtupuni Centre for Rural and Remote Health Award
Sinden Lindsay - Bachelor of Nursing Science
CSIRO STEM Awards
Dylan Arkey - Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
Emily Dunnett – Bachelor of Advanced Science
Cody Brown - Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
Danni Eastaughffe – Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
JCU Library – SAGE Publishing Asia Pacific Grant for Indigenous HDR Students
Robyn Pearce - PhD candidate (Medical, Molecular and Veterinary Sciences)
Wadja Bimbi HDR Award:
Tamara Sam – PhD candidate (Indigenous)
Joan Peyton-Smith Prize:
Jarrah Longbottom Wymarra – Bachelor of Social Work (PQ)