Dandjoo Darbalung. Investing in futures.
A place to lead, belong and thrive
The Dandjoo Darbalung Program is grounded in culture, community and leadership. It is more than a student support service; it is a future-building model that nurtures identity, excellence and belonging for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from across Australia.
Culturally grounded support
Our wrap-around program is shaped by culture and community, offering the academic, social and personal guidance Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students need to thrive, both at university and beyond.
Academic & Personal Success
Support that builds confidence and helps students thrive in their studies and future goals.
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At St Catherine’s, academic support is personal and purposeful. Our dedicated academic team guides you in building strong study habits and navigating university life with confidence. You will have access to resources through our partnerships with leading universities and First Nations centres of excellence, along with tailored tutoring. Every step is designed to help you thrive. Learn more here.
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Residents engage in social, cultural and academic experiences that foster a strong sense of belonging and purpose. These experiences form the foundation for future success by building confidence, affirming cultural identity and developing the skills required to navigate university life with agency and resilience. This includes family meetings around the rooftop fire pit in the Banksia Building, where students, staff and community members gather to share, reflect and stay connected.
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Mentorship is provided by senior students offering real-time peer guidance. Leadership workshops tailored to strengthen cultural authority and professional skills while providing insight into pathways, lived experience and social justice leadership
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St Catherine’s College invests in scholarships and financial support to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students overcome barriers to tertiary education. This includes help with ABSTUDY applications and coverage of accommodation, meals and other essential costs. Learn more here.
Cultural & Community Connection
Programs that honour culture, strengthen identity and foster belonging.
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Residents engage in cultural experiences that strengthen their connection to Country, university life and civic engagement. Activities include attending Noongar-language theatre performances and visiting Curtin University’s John Curtin Gallery to view the Carrolup Collection.
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Yarning Circles and Healing Circles with local Elders and Aboriginal community leaders, grounded in Wadjuk Noongar knowledge and practice.
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Dandjoo Darbalung supports students to engage with communities through culturally grounded mentoring and outreach, empowering them to lead cultural activities and share their lived experiences. These engagements build leadership and confidence while promoting respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
Celebrating excellence
The Dandjoo Darbalung program celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student success by supporting students to achieve strong academic outcomes, secure meaningful employment and contribute to their communities. Whether in education, environmental science or health, these journeys reflect how cultural grounding, academic excellence and professional opportunities come together to create a lasting impact.
Sofie Gilmartin A proud Yamatji woman, Sofie is studying the Doctor of Medicine at the University of Western Australia. Her passion for improving Aboriginal health outcomes drives her studies, and her time at College has helped her build lasting friendships and balance the demands of university life.
Reilly Cockbain Reilly Cockbain, a proud Wajarri man and first-year economics student at UWA, has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Geoff Rasmussen Scholarship. Grounded in lived experience and committed to intergenerational justice, he envisions a future shaped by Aboriginal leadership and policy transformation.
Taleah Ugle Taleah, a proud Noongar woman, is an Aboriginal Research Assistant with the Healthy Skin team at the Telethon Kids Institute. While completing her Bachelor of Science at the University of Western Australia, she has taken on leadership roles as Head of the UWA Student Guild Women’s Department and co-chair of UWA’s Referendum Working Group.
Brodie O'Breza Brodie O’Breza, a proud Torres Strait Islander woman from Saibai Island, is a passionate leader in science, sustainability and cultural stewardship. A resident of St Catherine’s College Curtin and Coastal & Marine Science student at Curtin University, in 2024 Brodie was honoured as Aboriginal STEM Student of the Year at the Premier’s Science Awards, a testament to her academic excellence and dedication to community impact. Her commitment to marine conservation has taken her across the globe: from a New Colombo Plan scholarship in Fiji through a STEM sustainability tour in Nepal to environmental placement with Woodside. Brodie’s work weaves together scientific rigour and cultural knowledge, inspiring others and forging pathways for future Indigenous leaders.
Khan John A proud Nyikina man, Khan graduated from Curtin University with a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Engineering. Now working as a Graduate Production Engineer at Woodside Energy, he reflects on Dandjoo Darbalung as a home away from home that supported both his academic and personal growth.
