Margaret Williams-Weir

Margaret Williams-Weir (died 2015) was an Australian educator, researcher and naval officer. Williams-Weir was the first Aboriginal person to matriculate to an Australian University (shared with Geoffrey Penny),[1] attend an Australian University[2] and graduate from an Australian University.[3] Williams-Weir was a member of the Malera/ Bandjalang People of northern New South Wales.[4]

Education

Williams-Weir graduated from Casino High School in 1956 on a 50 pounds Aboriginal Welfare Board Scholarship.[5] After being offered a scholarship by the University of Queensland, she enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts in 1957.[5][6] After a semester, she took up an Abschol Award[7] to study at the University of Melbourne, where she completed in a Diploma of Physical Education in 1959, becoming the first Indigenous Australian with a university qualification.[2][5] She was offered a scholarship to live at the University Womens' College while completing her studies.[3] Williams-Weir went on to complete a Bachelor of Education, a Research Master's degree (with Honours) and a Doctor of Philosophy entitled Indigenous Australians and Universities: A Study of Postgraduate Students' Experiences in Learning Research at the University of New England in 2001.[4][5][8]

References:

  1. ↑ "Aboriginal Girl Matriculates". The Canberra Times. 11 January 1957. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  2. 1 2 Trounson, Andrew (23 September 2015). "First Aboriginal graduate, Margaret Williams-Weir, honoured by Melbourne". The Australian. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  3. 1 2 Scouller, Rosemary (9 March 1961). "What is the future for the Australian Aboriginal?". Tharunka. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  4. 1 2 "Media release: The University of Melbourne honours Australia's first Aboriginal university graduate". University of Melbourne. 23 September 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Cleverley, John; Mooney, Janet (2010). Taking Our Place: Aboriginal Education and the Story of the Koori Centre at the University of Sydney. Sydney: Sydney University Press. pp. 27–28. ISBN 9781920899387.
  6. ↑ Henningham, Nikki. "Margaret Williams Weir". The Encyclopedia of Women & Leadership in Twentieth-Century Australia. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  7. ↑ Percival Wood, Sally (12 December 2017). "Q&A with Dr Sally Percival Wood". Australian Policy and History. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  8. ↑ Weir, Margaret (2001). "Indigenous Australians and Universities: A Study of Postgraduate Students' Experiences in Learning Research". University of New England Repository. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
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