News edition for 11 August 2026. Added to Nungya on 22 October 2026 as part of our retrospective news archive. Reporting reflects information available by the edition date.
An educator’s influence often travels through the people they teach and mentor. The University of Queensland has recognised that kind of contribution in an award to Emeritus Professor Tracey Bunda AM.
In its 20 July graduation honours announcement, UQ named the Ngugi/Wakka Wakka woman as the recipient of the R.H. Roe Award, one of the university’s most prestigious honours. It recognised her commitment to Indigenous education.
Bunda has worked in the field for more than 30 years. As a UQ Professor of Indigenous Education from 2019 to 2026, she supported the inclusion of Indigenous perspectives and methodologies in higher education and produced research influencing teaching practice.
The university also highlighted her mentorship of emerging Indigenous scholars. That work sits beside her publications as an important part of her contribution, extending the impact of one career into the careers of others.
This is a look back at the July recognition, rather than an announcement of a new award today. It is a reminder to include teachers and mentors when celebrating First Nations achievement: their work helps shape what students learn, whose knowledge is valued and who can imagine a future in scholarship.
