Indigenous Scholarship in NDIS Business Development helps close the gap in Indigenous health and leadership

Applications for the 2019 Growing Potential Indigenous Scholarship in the field of National Disability Insurance Scheme Business Development are now open. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the country with an interest in disability services are encouraged to apply.

This is the second round in a series of four scholarships, borne out of a joint initiative between Growing Potential Limited and the University of New England (UNE) aimed at strengthening Indigenous leadership in the disability sector.

Chief Executive Officer Mr Otto Henfling said that Growing Potential is dedicated to empowering Indigenous people in all areas of their lives.

“With our commitment to disability and Indigenous services through our Windaan and Growing Early Minds services, we saw a need to help others build their Indigenous businesses in the NDIS and disability space. 

Mr. Henfling said.

“The scholarship is our way of giving back; to help Indigenous people reach their education and leadership goals so they can provide disability and NDIS support to their own communities.” 

The scholarship will support an Indigenous recipient to study UNE’s Graduate Certificate in NDIS Business Development. 

This two-year, part-time course was developed by UNE in consultation with the disability sector to help organisations adapt to the new NDIS client-centred business model. 

The content is highly relevant to industry and equips students with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the issues affecting the disability sector, in particular, legal processes and obligations applicable to organisational business development priorities in the NDIS.

The scholarship has proved very beneficial to the inaugural recipient, Carroll Towney of Galambila Aboriginal Health Services, who continues to go from strength to strength. 

“The course is giving me greater knowledge for responding to the needs of our clients with disabilities so we can give our mob the best possible outcomes.” Carroll said. 

Applications for the 2019 Scholarship close on 31 October 2018. The finalist will be announced at a Scholarship Ceremony to be held in March 2019.

For more information and to apply for the Scholarship, please visit  https://growingpotential.org.au/scholarship/.