The Indigenous Students' Officer is responsible for liaising with the appropriate bodies in relation to issues pertaining to Indigenous graduates of Monash University, ensuring that the concerns of Indigenous graduates are brought to the attention of the MGAEC, convening and chairing an advisory group of Indigenous graduates, and more.
The learn more about this position, read the extract from the MGA Constitution.
Rebekah McEwan
Indigenous Students' Officer
Course: Doctor of Philosophy (Nutrition and Dietetics)
Faculty: Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Campus: Clayton
Can you tell us a bit about yourself, your background and your area of study?
I am an Aboriginal woman from the Kalkadoon peoples of rural inland Queensland (Mount Isa specifically, however I grew up in a few different parts of Queensland). I have been a Monash student for over 3 years throughout my Bachelor of Nutrition Science undergraduate studies. I have a Masters in Agricultural Sciences and am now enrolled in a full-time PhD program with the Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences faculty, in the Nutrition and Dietetics Department specifically.
My PhD research is centred around the conceptualisation of Indigenous Food Sovereignty within the context of Aboriginal Peoples in Victoria. Specifically, this research will utilise Indigenous methodologies to understand Aboriginal peoples’ involvement and interactions with Food Sovereignty in both urban and regional contexts. My research aims to contribute to the knowledge gap in a way that amplifies and centres Aboriginal peoples’ perspectives and voices at the core of this body of work.
What is your new role within the MGAEC, and what are you hoping to achieve over your term in office?
I am the Indigenous Representative for the MGAEC, and I aim to represent and advocate for the diverse and collective values, attitudes, aspirations and interests of the Indigenous community of graduate students here at Monash. I would love to contribute to supporting mob at Monash to feel included, understood and valued when they become a graduate student here.
What motivated you to join the executive committee? What drives you to make a difference in your graduate student community?
I am passionate about ensuring Indigenous peoples are represented at all levels of governance. I am well connected into the Indigenous community at Monash and feel I can represent their interests and aspirations fairly. I have experience working in many sectors and roles to advocate for the needs and interests of my community and promote equity and inclusion, and hope to bring that expertise here to MGAEC.