Program Overview
The Return to Country Program aims to bridge the gap between Indigenous students, staff, and their cultural roots while cultivating interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) pathways among Indigenous, regional, rural and remote communities.
The program invites selected Indigenous students and staff from partnered universities to reconnect or enhance their connection to Indigenous culture and surrounding communities by providing them with an avenue to share and celebrate their success with their community and wider Australia.
Whilst visiting regional and rural communities, the delegation engages with primary and secondary school students to showcase pathways to higher education and careers in STEM. The delegation meets with those supporting students on this journey, including Elders, teachers, community leaders, and parents.
Aim
Through storytelling and a suite of outreach activities, the program aims to enhance access to STEM pathways for primary and secondary school students in regional, rural, and remote areas. The program enables a group of Indigenous staff and students to reconnect with their mobs and make meaningful contributions to their communities and inspire the next generation of STEM students and professionals.
2025 Return to Country: Northam, Western Australia
In 2025, staff and students from the University of Melbourne, Monash University and Murdoch University, together with the Indigenous-led charity, Deadly Coders, visited schools and communities in Northam, Western Australia.
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2025 Return to Country Program Delivery
The 2025 Return to Country Program was a collaborative effort from the University of Melbourne, Monash University and Deadly Coders to deliver a week-long STEM engagement program to local primary schools and high schools in Northam and surrounding communities.
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2025 Return to Country Oration
During the 2025 Return to Country Oration, the university delegations were joined by local families, community members and industry representatives from Noongar Country in Northam, WA and surrounding areas, who shared their personal stories and highlighted the value of pursuing education opportunities.
2024 Return to Country: Bourke, New South Wales
In 2024, the inaugural Return to Country Program saw a group of FEIT Indigenous staff and students travel to Bourke, NSW and visit the surrounding region.
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2024 Return to Country Program Delivery
The inaugural Return to Country Program saw Associate Professor Joseph West lead a delegation of Indigenous staff and students back to his home community to deliver activities aimed at enhancing access to STEM pathways for local primary and secondary school students.
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2024 Return to Country Oration
The 2024 Return to Country Oration discusses the transformative impact of education. The FEIT delegation is joined by inspiring Bourke locals who share their own stories on the value of higher education.
News and media
Partner with us
If you’re passionate about supporting the Return to Country Program, we’d love to hear from you. We're open to sponsorship, collaboration on future programming, or contributions in other meaningful ways.
To express your interest or to learn more about how you can get involved, please contact us at engit-indigenous@unimelb.edu.au.
Contact
For more information about the Return to Country Program, please email the Faculty of Engineering and IT Engagement team.