University study the right move

When Pakana woman Mijawi Mansell White Bear was at school in Tasmania, she didn’t feel she was “academic” enough to go to university.

But encouraged by a teacher who saw her potential, Mijawi applied to RMIT. She has now graduated from a Bachelor of Architectural Design and is set to start a Master of Architecture.

Mijawi’s transition to university life was made smoother with support from RMIT’s dedicated support service for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students, the Ngarara Willim Centre, and the Carey Lyon Scholarship that she received throughout her degree.

The Carey Lyon Scholarship is the result of a generous gift from Carey Lyon, director of one of Australia’s leading architectural practices, Lyons. Carey is an alumnus of RMIT, having completed his Master of Architecture in 1992.

Mijawi, who grew up on Bruny Island in Tasmania, was nervous about relocating to Melbourne for uni. But after attending a Ngarara Willim open day, she felt more confident about the move.

Most of Mijawi’s degree was completed during the COVID-19 lockdowns and the scholarship eased financial pressure as she was unable to work. When the world opened up again, the scholarship allowed her to go on a study trip she would not otherwise have been able to afford.

“I walked the Lurujarri Heritage Trail up in Rubibi (Broome), WA, as part of a winter elective. It was so beautiful to connect to saltwater country and see the red dirt meet the ocean. It was the most amazing nine days; we slept under the stars and spent time with local Goolarabooloo mob.”

Mijawi has a strong connection to country and she can see how it comes through in her architecture.

"I feel like my identity is so connected to the architecture that I’ve produced in my degree and how I operate."

Mijawi is excited by the options her RMIT experience has opened for her. “I'm deferring my masters for a while and I’m working in an architecture firm to get more experience. I also love floristry and would love to incorporate that into architecture somehow. I’m also interested in landscape architecture and I feel like it’s all connected” she said.

“I’m so grateful to Carey Lyon and Ngarara Willim for their support. I felt out of place at uni in the beginning and knowing they believed in me gave me the confidence to keep going and believe in myself. The stability they provided was really good for my mental health too.”