Australia Awards South and West Asia

In the lead-up to NAIDOC Week 2025, Australia Awards scholars from Bhutan participated in a series of Indigenous engagement activities held across Australia and online. Scholars from Bangladesh, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka also took part, with the experiences offering participants meaningful opportunities to deepen their understanding and appreciation of Indigenous Australians’ culture, traditions, history and achievements.

Building on the success of last year’s First Nations experience, Australia Awards – South Asia & Mongolia delivered a flagship initiative: a four-day, three-night immersive First Nations study tour in the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, South Australia. Ten selected scholars from South Asia and Mongolia, including several who identify as indigenous or come from traditionally marginalised groups, travelled from across Australia to participate in this experience. Scholars undertook activities to learn about the relationship that the Adnyamathanha people, the Traditional Owners of the greater Ikara and Flinders Ranges area, have with the environment. Scholars also learnt about Indigenous history, knowledge and perspectives through a trivia and storytelling event at Ikara, leading to a discussion of this year’s NAIDOC theme: ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy’.

Bhutanese scholar Sherab Jatsho said the study tour offered an enriching opportunity for experiential learning about Australia’s First Nations peoples in an authentic and immersive setting. “I was particularly inspired by their unique worldview—rooted in harmony with nature and marked by extraordinary resilience. While I had previously engaged with First Nations histories and cultures through reading and listening, this direct experience of interacting with community members and witnessing their way of life was profoundly enlightening,” he said.

Jatso learns about local plants from Adnyamathanha guide Izzy at the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park.

In Melbourne, scholars took part in the Aboriginal Heritage Walk at the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, a site of great cultural significance to the Kulin Nation. The experience began with a traditional Welcome to Country delivered by local guides, who then led the group through the gardens. Along the way, they shared stories of the land and its people, pointing out native plants used for food, medicine and tools—each with its own cultural meaning. Through the activity, scholars gained insight into the rich history and thriving culture of the local Indigenous community.

Bhutanese scholar Jigme Choden said, “Although I had visited the Botanic Gardens before, this experience was truly different. Seeing the space through the lens of Aboriginal cultures gave it new meaning and allowed me to draw parallels with my own cultural background.”

Bhutanese scholars Karma Dorjee (left) and Jigme Choden (right) feel an animal skin during the Aboriginal Heritage Walk at the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria.

In Adelaide, scholars visited the Living Kaurna Cultural Centre, a 100% Aboriginal owned establishment, where they participated in an Aboriginal art class led by Brye, a local Indigenous artist. Brye began the session by sharing stories of the land, emphasising the role of art in preserving cultural knowledge, strengthening social bonds, and expressing connection to Country through symbols and forms. Scholars then created their own artworks, each accompanied by a personal narrative reflecting the meaning behind their designs. The scholars also learnt about the history of the Warriparinga wetlands and viewed an 800-year-old scarred tree, a living testament to the area’s deep history.

Reflecting on the activity, Bhutanese scholar Bunisha Pradhan said, “It was a truly enjoyable experience, especially learning more about Aboriginal people, their traditions, cultures and the way they use art as a form of communication. I also appreciated the opportunity to reconnect with fellow Australia Awards scholars, including those from other universities. The event was not only informative but also fun and relaxing, making it a memorable and meaningful experience overall.”

Bunisha (fourth from left) pictured with fellow scholars after the art session.

In an online Aboriginal weaving workshop, scholars connected with Ronnie Jordan, a Pitta Pitta Wangkamahdla woman, and Coen, a Pitta Pitta Wangkamahdla Muruwari Ngemba man. Ronnie opened the session with storytelling, explaining how woven objects serve as tangible links between the weaver, their ancestors and the land, while also acting as tools for mindfulness and reflection. Scholars, who had received weaving materials in advance, followed step-by-step instructions to learn coil weaving and rope making. The shared activity fostered a sense of community among participants across Australia, while celebrating the resilience, creativity and living traditions of Indigenous cultures.

These immersive experiences continue to foster meaningful cross-cultural understanding and appreciation among the scholars from South Asia and Mongolia, reinforcing the importance of Indigenous knowledge and heritage in contemporary Australia.