Growing up on a sheep property in rural NSW during the Depression, Laurie Cowled had aspirations to become a ballet dancer, an actor or an artist. But opportunities for young girls were limited in the country and education was viewed as unnecessary.
The ripple effect of empowering women
Philanthropist Laurie Cowled has been a generous supporter of UTS over many years.
Laurie began her career in a bank as a typist but knew she could do any other job if she put her mind to it. When the bank invited women employed there to apply for equal opportunities in 1967, Laurie put herself forward and was one of just 30 women approved. For the rest of her career she carved out a successful path via a multitude of interesting jobs in the bank’s international division.
She then launched a second career – as a philanthropist. In 2010, she established an annual scholarship specifically for an Indigenous woman. “I believe that education is the best way to close the gap,” she says.
Her generosity ensures that this scholarship will be awarded well into the future, as it will continue to be funded from her estate.
Larteasha Griffen, a Dunghutti woman from Kempsey in NSW, was the first scholarship recipient. Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Journalism), Larteasha has since forged a successful career as a television producer and communications consultant.
Before receiving the scholarship, university life was bleak for Larteasha. “I’d moved away from small town Kempsey, I had no savings and only Centrelink benefits to rely on,” says Larteasha. “After my rent and text books were paid for, I had $50 to survive on – a fortnight! I had no friends or family in the city so it was hard for me to resist the urge to move back home.”
Receiving the scholarship was a game changer for the remainder of Larteasha’s degree and it helped set the tone for life after graduation. “Scholarships make it possible for people like me, who grew up in a single low income household, to get an education and make a difference in their communities,” she explains.
Creating generational change
The flow-on effect of giving one woman a scholarship was an outcome Laurie predicted from the start. She has seen educated women become role models to their siblings, children and even their mothers. “Giving [a scholarship] to a woman is a very quick way of spreading education wider.”
Larteasha developed an ongoing relationship with Laurie, who stays in touch with the recipients of the scholarships she has established and holds them in high esteem. “The first time I met Laurie we just clicked,” says Larteasha. “She’s a warm and caring person, who not only helped me financially, but emotionally. She checks up on me all the time. She’s practically family.”
Scholarships make it possible for people like me, who grew up in a single low income household, to get an education and make a difference in their communities.
Larteasha Griffen, Laurie Cowled Scholarship recipient
Other past scholarship recipients include journalist Brooke Boney, a Gamilaroi woman who also the first member of her family to go to university. She went on to become the first Indigenous reporter on national morning television (the Today show).
Brooke is a spokesperson for the GO Foundation, which creates opportunities for Indigenous youth through education.
Laurie Cowled Scholarship recipient Brooke Boney at the 2019 UTS Alumni Awards.
Laurie hopes that all recipients of her scholarships feel they can do anything in their lives ahead. For over 14 years now, she has been a champion of Indigenous education at UTS. “I get the most amazing joy out of being able to do this.”
The ripple effect
In addition to financing the scholarships, Laurie has now committed $500,000 towards the construction of the UTS Indigenous Residential College – the first of its kind in Australia.
More than a building, the Indigenous Residential College is a bold new approach to education – one designed and led by Indigenous leaders to reflect and affirm identity, culture and academic excellence.
“The old model of higher education is to take Indigenous students out of their society into one not their own,” says Professor Michael McDaniel, UTS Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Leadership and Engagement). “Our concept, grounded in evidence, is to create a place of higher learning steeped in Indigenous values and boldly led by Indigenous academics.”
The concept caught Laurie’s attention because it will be driven by Indigenous leaders and bring Indigenous and non-Indigenous students together. “Over time, the impact of bringing people together will be like throwing a pebble in a pond, [causing] positive ripples in all directions.”
