Honouring Excellence: Reilly Cockbain Receives Geoff Rasmussen Scholarship
Reilly Cockbain, a proud Wajarri and Noongar man and first-year Dandjoo Darbalung resident at St Catherine’s College, has been awarded the 2025 Geoff Rasmussen Scholarship. This prestigious award recognises high-achieving students who have overcome significant challenges to pursue higher education. Now studying a combined Bachelor's and Master's of Economics at the University of Western Australia, Reilly aspires to shape national economic policy through future roles with the Reserve Bank of Australia or within the Australian Government.
A graduate of Cape Naturaliste College, Reilly’s academic record speaks for itself. In 2023, he received the Rob Riley Memorial Prize for achieving the highest ATAR among Aboriginal students in Western Australian public schools. His senior school curriculum included Economics, Geography, Mathematics Applications and English, as well as Business Management and Enterprise, reflecting his strong foundation in analytical and policy-focused disciplines.
Reilly’s journey is deeply grounded in community values and cultural continuity. As a Dandjoo Darbalung Scholar, he is supported by a program that centres Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, offering a unique environment where cultural identity and academic achievement are mutually reinforcing. His participation in the program underscores his commitment to cultural engagement and future-building within and beyond the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
