Buchan and the University of Queensland have announced the recipient of the inaugural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Architecture Industry Scholarship, with Yidingi and Ngadjon woman Stacey Edwards being awarded the prestigious grant.
Established by Buchan, the scholarship will assist Indigenous students in their architectural studies at the university for years to come. Edwards, hailing from the Atherton Tablelands, is a second-year Bachelor of Architectural Design student at the university.
Edwards says that the initial events that led to her becoming an architecture student were serendipitous, first attending the river city uni for a STEM camp.
"I was just generally good at a range of subjects in school and didn't really know what I wanted to do, and then I stumbled upon architecture and had a look at all the courses around it and just went with that, and it's been amazing,” she says.
"I didn't really think about urban planning or about the orientation of buildings and how the sun can affect things and all of that. It's a lot more complex than just making things pretty."
In regards to career aspirations, Edwards would love to return north and make a design contribution in her own town.
"It's actually considered quite out there and a bit different. So I think that's definitely a nice thing to bring to the community," she says.
"Kaban is a very old town, and there isn't much range in housing topologies - just very similar looking houses but not very modern. They could use a bit more design input."
"Knowing that there's a group of people that are interested in my success and rooting for me to keep going has really inspired me to keep working hard."
Buchan CEO, Stephen Auld, says he is excited by the opportunity presented by the scholarship for both students and his practice.
"We recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are severely underrepresented in the built environment, and the active role we can play in breaking down barriers to entry through financial and social support for students of design.
“We are delighted to be able to support Stacey on her journey, and to support positive and meaningful change in our industry.”
The University of Queensland scholarship is a key part of Buchan’s Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
